Biophilia

By Charlotte Owen 

WildCall Officer

Humans are social creatures.  Our daily lives are full of interactions; some are fleeting, others are more meaningful but it’s in our nature to make connections - and not just with other people.  What makes humans interesting is our innate affinity for other living beings beyond our own species.  Pets are particularly important to us, with nearly half of all British households keeping a companion animal, and this reflects a deeper connection with the natural world around us.

We instinctively seek out nature to help us relax and unwind, and we care about the living world around us – even the places we may never see for ourselves.  In typical human fashion, we have a word to describe this innate connection with nature: biophilia.  Essentially this is a love of wildlife, or as the eminent biolgist E. O. Wilson puts it, “the connections that human beings subconsciously seek with the rest of life.”

Whether we realise it or not, we need nature.  It’s essential to our very existence but it also makes us happy, and there’s a huge - and growing - body of evidence describing how the natural world helps to boost our health and wellbeing.  But compared to our ancient ancestors, who were very much part of nature, modern humans now spend more time shut up indoors, disconnected from the the wild outside.  Thankfully, the solution is surprisingly simple and a regular dose of wildlife can really work wonders. 

The Japanese practice of shinrin-yoku, or forest bathing, first took root in the 1980s and is now beginning to thrive here in the UK.  At its heart, it’s a simple walk in the woods, an opportunity to slow down, take some ‘me time’ and reconnect with nature.  Nothing new there – but the benefits to mental and physical wellbeing have been so well documented that forest bathing is now an official element of Japan’s national health programme.  Taking in the sights, sounds and scents of the natural world can reduce blood pressure, lower stress, improve concentration and make us feel good.  So if you’re seeking a meaningful connection, try rekindling your love of nature with a walk on the wild side.