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Global Health Econ Sustain Neuroinclusive workplaces and biophilic design

environments can offer employees a break from prolonged smart cities. For instance, exposure to natural environments
screen time, contributing to their overall well-being and has been linked to improved adaptability, alertness,
comfort. Moreover, research has shown that biophilic attention, concentration, and emotion regulation. Studies
design can also improve air quality, reduce stress, and have reported that engaging with natural environments
enhance productivity, which ultimately translates to offers enhanced emotional restoration compared to urban
improved business outcomes. Therefore, integrating environments that lack natural elements. These natural
biophilic design principles into office environments can environments have been found to be associated with reduced
offer a range of benefits, including reduced employee instances of tension, anxiety, anger, fatigue, confusion, and
absenteeism, higher job satisfaction, and increased overall overall mood disturbance (Beute & de Kort, 2014; Tang
productivity. et al., 2022; Williams et al., 2018). Physiological responses
to connections with nature include muscle relaxation,
To address eye fatigue, it is important to consider
the visual breaks and relief that nature can provide. One lowered diastolic blood pressure, and reduced cortisol
levels in the bloodstream (Dusek & Benson, 2009; Knight
way to achieve this is by incorporating distant views into & Rickard, 2001). Improved indoor air quality through the
the design of window views. Research on the evaluation use of plants and high-level air filtration systems has been
of landscape distance seen in window views on visual linked to increased life expectancy and cognitive abilities
satisfaction has shown that views with a balance of nearby while decreasing the prevalence of sick building syndrome
and distant content tend to be more beneficial in relieving (Chen et al., 2017; Wood et al., 2002). Incorporating
eyestrain (Kent & Schiavon, 2022). By incorporating biophilic design elements into the workplace has been
natural elements in the distant views, such as landscapes, associated with a range of mental and physical health
greenery, or natural scenery, occupants can shift their benefits (Table 3). Studies have shown that workplaces with
focus from close-up tasks to the visually soothing elements natural elements can lead to a 15% higher level of well-
in the distance. This allows the eyes to relax and reduces being, a 6% higher level of productivity, and a 15% higher
the strain caused by prolonged visual exposure to nearby level of creativity. Exposure to nature has also been linked
content. Designers can utilize this knowledge to create to reduced negative emotions and stress, as it helps decrease
window views that provide a visually satisfying experience self-reported rumination, which is often associated with
and contribute to the overall well-being and comfort of the depression and other mental health disorders. In addition,
occupants. spending time in natural environments has been found
3. Benefits of biophilic design: Enhancing to enhance cognitive functioning, improving working
memory and overall cognitive performance. Furthermore,
well-being and performance offices with plants have been shown to increase employee
The incorporation of nature into built environments has engagement, productivity, and well-being, leading to better
been found to have a positive impact on human well- staff retention and attracting top talent. The presence of
being and performance (Frumkin & Fox, 2011). This has plants also offers health benefits by reducing bacterial
been supported by two prominent theories: Attention colonies by 60%, decreasing headaches by 24%, and
Restoration Theory and Stress Recovery Theory. Attention reducing eye irritation by 52%. These findings underscore
Restoration Theory proposes that exposure to natural
environments can help restore cognitive function and Table 3. Benefits of biophilic design supported by
attention. On the other hand, Stress Recovery Theory corresponding statistics
suggests that natural environments can help individuals Benefits Statistics
recover from stress by reducing negative emotions, heart Improved well-being and 15% higher well-being, 6% higher
rate, blood pressure, and stress-related hormones such as productivity productivity, 15% higher creativity
cortisol. Understanding these theories is significant for this Reduced negative Decreased self-reported rumination
study as they provide a framework for the importance of emotions and stress
incorporating natural elements into the built environment Enhanced cognitive Improved working memory and
to improve well-being and performance (Jiang et al., 2021). functioning cognitive performance
3.1. Psychological and physiological responses Improved employee Increased employee engagement,
engagement and productivity, and well-being
Both the psychological effects and physiological responses retention
of humans to biophilic design speak to the benefits of Health benefits Reduced bacterial colonies by 60%,
adopting it as a strategy for both employee productivity decreased headaches by 24%, reduced
and well-being and support arguments for sustainability in eye irritation by 52%

Volume 1 Issue 1 (2023) 7 https://doi.org/10.36922/ghes.0549