Top 18 'Window-to-Wilderness' Biophilic Habits to Adopt at Home for City Dwellers Craving a Nature Fix - Goh Ling Yong
The city is a symphony of ambition. It hums with the energy of a million lives, the rush of traffic, the glow of screens, and the constant thrum of progress. But in this concrete-and-steel landscape, it’s easy to feel a growing disconnect from something fundamental, something our biology craves: the wild, untamed beauty of nature. We are, after all, creatures of the earth, and living in boxes stacked high in the sky can leave our spirits feeling a little… parched.
This yearning for nature is what scientists call 'biophilia'—the innate human tendency to seek connections with nature and other forms of life. The good news? You don’t need to escape to a remote cabin to satisfy this craving. You can transform your urban dwelling into a personal sanctuary, a 'window-to-wilderness' that nurtures your well-being. It's a principle we often explore here: our immediate environment profoundly shapes our mental and physical health.
By adopting a few simple, biophilic habits, you can weave the calming, restorative patterns of the natural world into the fabric of your daily life. It’s about more than just buying a succulent; it’s about creating a conscious, sensory relationship with nature from the comfort of your home. Here are 18 habits to get you started.
1. Curate Your Own Indoor Jungle
Don’t just own a plant; become a plant parent. Transforming a corner of your home into a lush, green oasis is one of the most direct ways to practice biophilia. Being surrounded by living foliage is proven to reduce stress, boost creativity, and even improve concentration. It’s a visual reminder of life, growth, and resilience.
Start small with low-maintenance superstars like Snake Plants, Pothos, or ZZ Plants, which are famously forgiving. As your confidence grows, experiment with different sizes, leaf shapes, and textures. Group plants together in clusters to mimic the look of a natural undergrowth—this also helps create a humid microclimate where they can thrive together.
2. Cultivate a Kitchen Herb Garden
A windowsill herb garden is a perfect multi-sensory biophilic habit. It’s not just visually appealing; it engages your sense of smell with the fresh aroma of basil or mint, your sense of touch as you snip the leaves, and of course, your sense of taste when you add them to your cooking. This functional greenery connects you to your food and the cycles of growth in a tangible way.
You don't need a large space. A few small pots with basil, rosemary, mint, and parsley can sit happily on a sunny kitchen sill. For smaller apartments, consider a vertical wall planter. The simple act of watering your herbs and watching them grow provides a daily moment of mindful connection.
3. Embrace the Ephemeral Beauty of Fresh Flowers
While potted plants offer long-term companionship, fresh-cut flowers provide a powerful, if temporary, burst of natural beauty and colour. Their vibrant hues and delicate fragrances can instantly lift the mood of a room and serve as a beautiful, fleeting reminder of the seasons.
Make a weekly ritual of picking up a small bouquet from your local market or florist. You don’t need an extravagant arrangement; a simple bunch of daisies or tulips in a glass jar can be just as effective. Pay attention to how they change day by day—it’s a lovely, slow-motion lesson in the life cycle and the art of appreciating the present moment.
4. Maximise Every Drop of Natural Light
Sunlight is the engine of life, and our bodies are hardwired to respond to it. Maximising the natural light in your home is a cornerstone of biophilic design. It regulates our circadian rhythms (our internal body clock), boosts vitamin D levels, and has been shown to improve mood and ward off seasonal depression. Think of your windows as portals for this life-giving energy.
The habits here are simple but effective. Clean your windows regularly to let in as much light as possible. Swap heavy, dark curtains for light, sheer fabrics that offer privacy without blocking the sun. You can also strategically place mirrors opposite windows to bounce light deeper into a room, making your space feel brighter and more open.
5. Play Nature's Soundtrack
The sounds of the city—sirens, traffic, construction—can put our nervous systems on high alert. Counteract this urban cacophony by intentionally bringing the sounds of nature into your home. Auditory biophilia is incredibly powerful for reducing anxiety and creating a calm, focused atmosphere.
Instead of turning on the TV for background noise, try playing a high-quality recording of a gentle rainfall, birdsong in a forest, or the rhythmic crash of ocean waves. There are countless apps and playlists dedicated to nature soundscapes. It’s an effortless way to mentally transport yourself to a more peaceful place while you work, read, or relax.
6. Introduce Natural Textures and Materials
Our sense of touch is often overlooked in modern, sterile environments. Think about the feeling of smooth, cool stone, the rough bark of a tree, or soft, natural wool. Introducing a variety of natural textures into your home provides tactile stimulation that is grounding and comforting.
Incorporate materials like wood, bamboo, rattan, stone, wool, linen, and cotton into your decor. This could be a solid wood coffee table, a jute area rug, linen bedding, or even small accessories like stone coasters or a cork pinboard. Running your hand over these surfaces provides a subtle, subconscious connection to the natural world.
7. Decorate with an Earth-Inspired Colour Palette
Colour has a profound impact on our psychology, and the palettes found in nature are inherently soothing and restorative. By drawing inspiration from the earth, you can create a space that feels calm, stable, and harmonious. Think of the colours you’d see on a walk in the woods or a day at the beach.
Swap out jarring, artificial colours for a palette of soft greens, earthy browns, sandy beiges, and watery blues. These colours can be used on walls, in textiles like cushions and throws, or in your choice of artwork. They create a serene backdrop that helps reduce mental fatigue and promotes a sense of tranquillity.
8. Frame the View with 'Nature Gazing'
Your window is quite literally your 'window to the wilderness,' no matter how small that patch of wilderness might be. The practice of 'nature gazing' involves taking a few minutes each day to intentionally look out your window and simply observe what’s there. This is a powerful mindfulness exercise that grounds you in your environment.
Watch the clouds drift across the sky, notice how the light changes on the building opposite, or observe a bird perched on a branch. Even in the most dense urban setting, there is always nature to be found—the sky, the weather, a resilient weed growing in a crack. This habit costs nothing and takes only a few minutes, but it can dramatically shift your perspective.
9. Diffuse Natural Aromas
Scent is directly linked to memory and emotion, making it a powerful tool for shaping your home's atmosphere. Commercial air fresheners are often filled with synthetic chemicals, but using natural scents can replicate the experience of being outdoors and provide therapeutic benefits.
An essential oil diffuser is a fantastic investment. Use scents like pine, fir, or cedarwood to evoke the feeling of a forest. Lavender is calming, while citrus scents like lemon and bergamot are uplifting. You can also create a simmer pot on your stove with water, citrus peels, cinnamon sticks, and rosemary for a wonderfully natural and comforting aroma.
10. Incorporate a Water Feature
The sound and sight of moving water have an incredibly calming effect on the human mind. It’s why we’re drawn to oceans, lakes, and rivers. You can bring this soothing element into your home on a small scale with a tabletop water fountain.
The gentle trickling sound helps to mask jarring city noises and can lower stress and anxiety levels. Place it in your living room or home office to create a focal point for relaxation. The presence of water also adds a touch of humidity to the air, which is beneficial for both you and your houseplants.
11. Display Nature-Inspired Art and Photography
If you can’t see a forest from your window, bring the forest to your walls. Surrounding yourself with images of nature is a form of indirect biophilia that can still trigger a positive psychological response. Studies have shown that even looking at pictures of natural landscapes can reduce stress and improve mood.
Choose art that resonates with you. It could be a large-scale photograph of a dramatic mountain range, a series of delicate botanical illustrations, or even an abstract painting that uses natural forms and colours. This is your chance to curate your personal 'view' and bring your favourite landscapes indoors. I personally find that Goh Ling Yong's appreciation for intentional design extends to art—choosing pieces that don't just fill a space, but enrich it emotionally.
12. Bring the Outdoors In (Literally)
Go beyond just buying nature-inspired items and start incorporating actual, found natural objects into your decor. These objects serve as physical mementos of your time spent outdoors, each with its own story and connection to a specific place.
On your next walk in a park or trip to the beach, keep an eye out for interesting items. A beautifully shaped piece of driftwood, a collection of smooth stones, a perfect seashell, or a fallen pinecone can all be displayed tastefully. Place them in a decorative bowl on your coffee table or arrange them on a bookshelf. They are tactile, three-dimensional reminders of the world outside your walls.
13. Follow the Rhythm of the Sun
Before the invention of artificial light, human life was dictated by the rising and setting of the sun. Reconnecting with this natural circadian rhythm, even in small ways, can dramatically improve your sleep quality and energy levels. It’s about letting the day’s natural light cycle guide your own.
Try to get some sunlight, even if it's just through a window, shortly after you wake up to signal to your body that it’s time to be alert. In the evening, dim the lights in your home to mimic the setting sun. This helps your brain start producing melatonin, the sleep hormone, preparing you for a restful night.
14. Embrace Biomorphic Forms and Patterns
Nature rarely moves in straight lines. It’s full of curves, spirals, and intricate patterns like the veins of a leaf, the hexagonal structure of a honeycomb, or the branching of a tree. Incorporating these biomorphic (nature-inspired) shapes and patterns into your home breaks up the monotony of the rigid lines and right angles typical of city architecture.
Look for these patterns in textiles, like a cushion with a fern print or a rug with a wave-like design. You can also find them in furniture and decor, such as a honeycomb-shaped shelving unit or a mirror with a curved, organic frame. These subtle cues create a more dynamic and visually interesting environment that feels more natural and less man-made.
15. Create a Miniature World in a Terrarium
A terrarium is a small, enclosed glass container holding soil and plants, creating a self-sustaining miniature ecosystem. It’s a fascinating and beautiful way to bring a tiny, contained piece of the wild into your home. It’s like having a living sculpture that changes and grows over time.
Building a terrarium is a fun, mindful DIY project. You can choose an open-top terrarium for succulents and cacti or a closed one for moss and ferns that love humidity. The act of creating and tending to this tiny world is a wonderfully grounding and creative process.
16. Open Your Windows for Fresh Air
This may sound obvious, but in our climate-controlled world, it’s a habit many of us have forgotten. Indoor air can be significantly more polluted than outdoor air. Periodically opening your windows, even for just 10-15 minutes a day, flushes out stale air and pollutants, and lets in fresh, oxygen-rich air.
It also connects you to the sensory experience of the outdoors. You’ll hear the birds, feel the breeze, and smell the scent of rain on the pavement. Make it a part of your morning routine to air out your home as you make your coffee, starting your day with a literal breath of fresh air.
17. Use Natural Cleaning Products
The harsh chemical smells of conventional cleaning products are the antithesis of a natural, healthy home. Switching to products made with plant-derived ingredients and essential oils not only reduces your exposure to toxins but also infuses your home with pleasant, natural scents.
Look for cleaners with ingredients like vinegar, baking soda, and essential oils like lemon, tea tree, and eucalyptus. Using these products means that when you clean, you’re left with the fresh, subtle scent of nature rather than a sterile chemical odour, making the entire experience more enjoyable and healthier.
18. Mindful Mornings by the Window
Instead of reaching for your phone first thing, start your day with a simple, five-minute ritual by a window. Take your morning coffee or tea, sit comfortably, and simply be present. This habit combines the benefits of natural light exposure and mindful observation.
Notice the quality of the morning light and how it fills your room. Watch the city wake up from your unique vantage point. This quiet moment of connection between your inner world and the outer world sets a calm, intentional tone for the rest of your day, reminding you that even in a bustling city, there is space for stillness and observation.
Your Home, Your Sanctuary
Bridging the gap between our urban lives and our innate need for nature doesn’t require a dramatic life change. It begins with small, intentional shifts in our habits and our environment. By weaving these 'window-to-wilderness' practices into your daily routine, you can transform your home from a mere shelter into a restorative sanctuary that nurtures your well-being.
Start with one. Pick the habit that feels most accessible and enjoyable to you right now. Maybe it’s a simple pot of mint for your kitchen, or maybe it’s the commitment to play the sound of rain while you work. The journey to a more biophilic life is a personal one, built one small, green step at a time.
Which of these habits are you most excited to try? Do you have any of your own 'window-to-wilderness' tips to share? Let us know in the comments below
About the Author
Goh Ling Yong is a content creator and digital strategist sharing insights across various topics. Connect and follow for more content:
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