Previously, we saw that the studies examining the effects of wooden rooms and furnishings clearly demonstrate that the presence of wood has positive physiological effects, lowering blood pressure, heart rate and stress responses when compared to other material types. These physiological responses are specifically controlled by the sympathetic nervous system (SNS). SNS activation occurs when the body prepares itself for stress, increasing blood pressure and heart rate, whilst inhibiting digestion, recovery and the immune system in order to deal with any immediate threats it perceives. Long term exposure to environments that induce stress can trigger serious health consequences, including obesity, type 2 diabetes and related cardiometabolic complications.

​The behaviours and health status of 44 elderly Japanese residents using wooden tables, chairs and tableware at a care home were examined and compared to residents using plastic products. The results indicated that the use of wooden products increased the number of interactions between individuals (i.e. more talkative and more willing to engage with one another), improved emotional state and expanded self-expression in a positive way.
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• Anme, T. Behaviour Changes in Older Persons Caused by Using Wood Products in Assisted Living. 2, 106–109 (2012).

A Canadian study has demonstrated that the colours and texture of wood elicit feelings of ‘warmth’, ‘comfort’ and ‘relaxation’ in people, all emotions that have been shown to reduce stress, anxiety and recovery times in hospital by studies examining the influences of music, plants and therapeutic massage.
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• Rice, J., Kozak, R., Meitner, M. J. & Cohen, D. H. Appearance of Wood Products and Psychological Well-Being. 38, 644–659 (2006).
• Bolwerk, C. A. L. Effects of relaxing music on state anxiety in myocardial infarction patients. 13, 63–72 (1990).
• McCaffrey, R. & Locsin, R. The effect of music listening on acute confusion and delirium in elders undergoing elective hip and knee surgery. 13, 91–96 (2004).
• Park, S.-H. & Mattson, R. H. Therapeutic influences of plants in hospital rooms on surgical recovery. 44, 102–105 (2009)
• ​Post-White, J. Therapeutic massage and healing touch improve symptons in cancer. 2, 332–344 (2003).

A study in New Zealand presented 69 adults with images of 10 modern corporate interiors, chosen from recently published books showcasing contemporary design. Five of the interiors featured wood significantly, whilst the other five featured no wood at all. Participants were asked to ‘identify the organisation you would most like to work for and least like to work for’, followed by selecting three adjectives from a list of to indicate their first impressions of each organisation. The presence of wood products within a corporate environment drastically influenced first impressions, with study subjects significantly more likely to want to work for organisations that featured wooden furnishings. Offices with wooden interiors also conveyed feelings of innovation, energy and comfort, whilst offices without wood conveyed feelings of being impersonal and uncomfortable.

• ​Ball, R. D., Killerby, S. K. & Ridoutt, B. G. First impressions of organisations and the qualities connoted by wood in interior design. 5, 30–35 (2002). 

​The positive psychological outcomes of people interacting with wooden products could have significant economic impacts. This is because studies have shown that social interactions that lead to opportunities for self-expression in old people reduces the risk of dementia, a disease that currently costs North America billions every year and affects 44+ million people worldwide. Shortening hospital stays through reduced recovery times will also reduce costs to the medical system, whilst improved first impressions of organisations will attract business to the North American markets.
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• Dementia and memory loss statistics. (2014). at ​https://fightdementia.org. au/about-dementia-and-memory-loss/statistics

As you know, the Thoma Holz100 building system is 100% pure solid wood without a trace of glue, toxins, chemicals, or VOCs. From nature to your home, it is a completely unadulterated building material exclusively moonwood harvested and naturally air-dried for the highest quality of timber. It requires no additives and offers a plethora of both structural and health benefits.

So it is important to know that not only does it fulfill ideal building standards, it also brings its habitants an amazing environment of health and wellbeing. Here are three studies that prove the health benefits of wood on the body:

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​A Japanese study compared the initial physiological response of 14 people sitting in rooms with either wooden or steel wall paneling. The pulse and heart rate of each subject was measured every second for 20 seconds whilst facing the paneled wall covered by a curtain, followed by 90 seconds with the curtain removed and the wooden or steel panel visible. The study found that exposure to wooden panels significantly decreased the blood pressure of subjects, whilst exposure to steel panels significantly increased it.

​Sakuragawa, S., Miyazaki, Y., Kaneko, T. & Makita, T. Influence of wood wall panels on physiological and psychological responses. 51, 136–140 (2005).

​An Austrian study examined the heart rates of 30 people who slept in a Stone Pine bed for 3 weeks and compared it to their heart rates when sleeping in a wood imitation bed for 3 weeks. Sleeping in a stone pine bed reduced heart rates by 3500 beats per day compared to when subjects were sleeping in a wood imitation bed.

​(Joanneum Research Institute of Non-Invasive Diagnosis)

​A yearlong Austrian study examined 36 high school students aged 13-15 years old who were taught in either a classroom furbished with floors, ceilings, cupboards and wall panels made of solid wood, or a classroom equipped with a linoleum floor, plasterboard walls and chipboard cupboards. The results showed significant differences between the two groups, with students taught in the wooden classrooms ​having decreased heart rates and decreased perception of stress from interactions with teachers. In contrast, students taught in the control classroom had increased heart rates and had greater stress responses.

Kelz, C. & Moser, M. . (Medical University of Graz, 2011)

​Wood comes from trees and is a natural, renewable resource, with no two pieces being the same. Its uniqueness is due to the final appearance of wood being dependent on a number of variables, including species, geographic area where the tree grew, growth conditions, size of the tree at harvest, sawing and other manufacturing processes.

​Wood is one of the oldest materials used by humans, including its use as a building material. Wooden furniture and funereal items have been found in the pyramids of Egypt and some structures built centuries ago are still standing today. These include the Horyuji temple in Japan built in 700 CE, Greensted Church in England built in 1053 CE and Westminster Hall in London built in 1399 CE.

Although wood has ancient roots and has been used in every culture in the world from before the Stone Age it is experiencing a revival in use. In part this is because of the newly discovered health and wellbeing benefits of exposure to wood, which produce similar effects to those created by spending time in nature.

The health and wellbeing benefits associated with spending time outside in nature are well known and have been studied extensively by the scientific community and reported by Planet Ark.

These known benefits include:
• Increased happiness and self-esteem levels
• Increased cognitive abilities
• Decreased stress response, blood pressure, pulse rates and cholesterol levels

However, increasing urbanization rates mean that people have less access to nature in their daily lives and Americans on average now spend about 90% of their time indoors. This coincides with reports of increasing levels of obesity and many experiencing a mental health condition within their lifetime. As it is not always possible to increase our time spent outside, particularly in areas like workplaces, schools and hospitals, understanding how to incorporate the physiological and psychological benefits of nature into our indoor environments is an increasingly important area of research.

Studies have demonstrated that simply having a view of nature from a window can have significant positive effects, such as shorter postoperative hospital stays, induced feelings of relaxation in patients at rehabilitation centres and improved comfort levels of employees in offices. Not surprisingly, the presence of indoor plants has also been shown to have benefits, such as improved cognitive functioning in office environments, increased tolerance of pain in hospitals, lowered blood pressure and heart rates.

Evidence-based design (EBD) is an area of study that focuses on incorporating the results of empirical research into the quality of the built environment. Originating from the field of environmental psychology, EBD works on the notion that the design of the built environment fundamentally impacts the people within it. Of particular interest are designs of physical features that can lead to stress-reduction, productivity and general wellbeing. Since evidence shows viewing nature in both outdoor and indoor settings has health and wellbeing benefits for people, it is logical to examine whether wood, a natural material, produces similar effects.