5 Best Ways Lumber Can Improve People’s Health

It is common to read in several articles how having wood accents and hardwoods structures can improve your home or any place you install it. But, did you know that being surrounded by lumber can improve people’s health? Yes, wood is much more than a piece of art; it is an element that contributes to wellness. 

Lumber is probably the most used material in history. Its visual appeal and advantages due to its natural properties and features have been deeply explored for many years. But the fact that lumber can improve peoples’ health is something recently discovered and very interesting. 

Multiple research explains how having a proper environment provides physical and psychological benefits. This is called Biophilic Design. This concept is based on the idea that environmental structures significantly impact human well-being. Therefore, learning about the wonders of being surrounded by lumber is very useful. 

Using lumber to improve health conditions has increased the interest of designers and architects seeking to create harmonious spaces with peaceful and relaxing environments for their clients.

In addition, being surrounded by lumber improves air quality by moderating humidity, which makes breathing easier. Another fact that increases architects’ interest in preferring this material for their projects. 

For many years, architects have taken advantage of wood’s durability, resistance to external factors, high quality, and long lifespan. Now they are making the most of the fact that lumber is good for human health. The Brazilian Lumber team has put together a list of the 5 best ways wood can improve people’s wellness. 

1. Lumber Reduces Stress

When people are surrounded by timber, they are less likely to be stressed. Why? Because they got the feeling of being in nature. At least, that is what a study from the University of British Columbia says. 

This study indicates that having wooden elements and plants as part of the office or home environment provides stress-reducing effects. The process was achieved by measuring two branches of the autonomic nervous system responsible for physiological responses to stress in humans.

Research also shows that lumber improves attention & cognitive function, increases creativity, and reduces pain perception. Amazing, isn’t it?

Another investigation shows how students in classrooms surrounded by lumber have lower heart rates and fewer stress responses than those with plastic and metal. 

2. Lumber Increases Concentration Levels

Building with lumber can make a difference. A private company conducted an exercise to analyze the productivity of its employees. The activity consisted of separating the workers into two rooms: one made entirely of wood and the other of concrete. The result was higher in the one surrounded by wood, as was the employees’ overall job satisfaction. 

A similar exercise was applied to a classroom full of students with phenomenal results. The kids evidenced better cardiac activity, as well as better parameters in vagal tone (as an indicator of heart preservation recovery). Most of them also reported that since they were in a wooden classroom with vegetation and natural ventilation, they were able to sleep better at night. 

3. Lumber Can Help The Elderly

Wooden structures or accents can prevent mental or physical deterioration in the elderly. In addition, this fantastic material also helps them to socialize better.

Academic research performed an exercise in which more than 40 elderly residents were studied in wooden environments, with elements such as tables, chairs, and other accents. At the same time, another group was placed in an environment with similar plastic elements. The result provided an important difference in social interactions and productivity parameters in those surrounded by wood. 

4. Lumber Gives The Feeling Of Being In Nature

According to National Geographic, ‘people are wired to be outside, as nature makes humans happy. So, if humans receive more benefits from being in open spaces, why not bring the outdoors inside the houses or offices?

Buildings made of lumber improve comfort, provide good vibes and warmth, and increase the desire to interact with nature. 

This is a significant fact to keep in mind, especially if you live in a place that does not have access to outdoor areas. Surrounding yourself with wood and plants can give the feeling of being in a natural environment, which also helps improve your mood and self-expression. 

5. Lumber Can Help In A Recovery Process

Some investigations from different universities establish that the physical environment impacts patient stress, staff efficiency, and quality of care in healthcare facilities. The material a room is made of, the decorative elements, and even the colors impact a patient’s recovery process. 

An excellent example of this theory is explained in a study by Roger Ulrich comparing the recovery of some patients after surgery. They all had the same surgery, but some were sent to a room with a brick view, while others were sent to a room with large windows from which they could see trees and nature. 

The results were surprising. Patients in the room with a view of a colorful landscape recovered faster. They stayed less time in the hospital than patients in the other room. They also reported less pain during the rehabilitation at home. 

But how does lumber relate to this? At the beginning of this part of the article, we mentioned that the material a room is made of also impacts a patient’s recovery process. Some pieces of evidence suggest that lumber has restorative influences. Why? Because wood is associated with nature and being outdoors. 

According to Harvard University, green buildings surrounded by wood greatly impact patients’ cognitive function, mood, and desire to recover. 

To conclude, being surrounded by wooden elements or structures improves people’s health due to the feeling of being in contact with nature. Lumber is associated with outdoor elements and colorful landscapes. Its scent and colors create a relaxing, warm space that also improves human well-being. 

Although the healing properties of wood were recently discovered, there is a lot of research from universities, private companies, and experts recommending the use of timber for any construction. 

This recollected information established that lumber can reduce stress levels, increase concentration & cognitive function, help the elderly, and improve patients’ recovery process. So, if you were looking for a durable material with outstanding properties that also contributes to your well-being, lumber is the real deal. Make a smart decision and grab those positive health effects!