Bringing nature to your indoors

It goes without saying that the ongoing pandemic and how it has put our lives in disarray make us want to just curl up into a ball in one corner of the room and cry.

Feelings of defeat and hopelessness against COVID-19 and the various heart-wrenching issues that our world is facing today however should be pushed out the door, flushed down the toilet and crushed with our favorite pair of house slippers. This time calls for us to be stronger in mind and body more than ever. In his column, “Medical Files,” medical expert Dr. Rafael Castillo wrote that “when our defenses are weakened because of anxiety, it’s a walk in the park for this virus.” Dr Castillo advised on the importance of conditioning our bodies that it has a strong immune system, “as we think and believe, so our body becomes.” (Are we losing the psywar to COVID-19?”, May 12, 2020)

In addition to being more mindful of eating healthy and taking vitamins to fortify our body’s defenses against illnesses, it is important as well that our living spaces are able to contribute to our sense of well-being. According to Ar. John Ian Lee Fulgar, our homes have a significant impact on our health and wellness on a daily basis. Biophilic design, which incorporates nature indoors, is one design concept that encourages health and well-being in residential spaces. “Wood paneling, natural stone treatments, lush greenery and indoor water features are some of the elements that blur the line between indoor and outdoor spaces,” Fulgar wrote.

Given the situation we are in right now, it may be challenging to have a home makeover to integrate nature into your living spaces. Consider some easy and budget-friendly hacks that you can do in order to give your shelter the ambiance of nature.

Indoor plants

Now, this is easy-peasy. Not only do plants liven up your place, but they are also a foolproof way to purify the air inside your home. You don’t even have to step out of your house to buy them as there are a lot of sources online that can deliver your future plant babies right to your doorstep. And you can choose from all sizes, colors and kinds, too. Nest Plant Studio (nestplantstudio.com and instagram.com/nestplantstudio) has a wide assortment of plants which can fill your tabletops, shelves and the empty corners of your home. It also has an informative guide for first-time plant parents.

Use natural materials

You’re spending so much time at home now that you’re considering getting new placemats, rugs, organizers and other accessories for your house. Consider getting ones made from natural—and locally sourced—materials such as hemp and abaca. KaravanPH (instagram.com/karavanph) offers a selection of useful abaca products such as storage baskets, placemats, welcome rugs and carpets. These are handmade by local artisans. KaravanPH has been working with farmers in cooperatives acknowledged by Rainforest Alliance and licensed by the Department of Agriculture.

Smell nature

Aromas can soothe one’s worries and have a calming, positive effect on your health and well-being. Get your home smelling like you’re strolling through a lavender field or a pine tree-filled forest by way of scented candles or scent diffusers. Scents and Sensibilities (instagram.com/scents_and_sensibilities) has scented soy candles, auto spray diffusers and lamp burners which come with a variety of scents like lavender, eucalyptus, yuletide pine and lemongrass.

Get inspired online

There are a lot of blogs, Instagram and Pinterest pages which will surely inspire you to go the biophilic route. Look for design houses that specialize in biophilic designs. Plant the Future (instagram.com/plantthefuture) is a Miami-based design house which is known for “living” plant murals. Think moss-covered wall art. Gubahruang (instagram.com/gubahruang), an Indonesian firm which does architecture, interior and landscape, uses lots of natural materials in its designs as well.