The Health Benefits of Wood (Continued)

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.

Studies also suggest that exposure to stress and stress hormones during childhood and adolescence increases the probability of individuals developing stress-related mental disorders later in life, as well as influencing the timing of puberty. Decreasing the stress of school (one of the most stressful activities in childhood) by incorporating natural wood into the classroom can therefore have significant and long lasting positive effects.

​Effect of Wood on the Brain

​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.
​

• 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.
​

• 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.
​

• Dementia and memory loss statistics. (2014). at ​https://fightdementia.org. au/about-dementia-and-memory-loss/statistics