Biophilia

The biophilia hypothesis suggests that humans possess an innate tendency to seek connections with nature and other forms of life.^[1] Edward O. Wilson introduced and popularized the hypothesis in his book, Biophilia (1984).^[2] He defines biophilia as "the urge to affiliate with other forms of life".^[3]

Thanks Wikipedia for the insight here..... I thought I would write about Biophilia as since last time I posted the nature around me has changed. I have gone from Rishikesh at the foot of the Himalayas, surrounded by trees, the ganga, and green- to Melbourne winter; a somewhat stark, barren, sterile concrete city. 

I am writing this from the park which is a hop, skip and a jump from my place. I live in a very old townhouse which in the winter is colder outside than inside, so have taken to the park where the afternoon sun is streaming it's last sparkle before tucking away and letting the evening dew set in. I'm very fortunate to be tucked in this delightful nook of North Melbourne, close enough to the city to get amongst the action, yet here I can still hear the birds chirping and rustle and crunch of the leaves from my doorstep. 

One thing I noticed as soon as I hit Delhi airport a few weeks ago was that the rhythm of nature and the environment I was in was different to Rishikesh. I could feel all the peace from the insence and incessant "om"- ing slip from my centre and be replaced with hustle and..... even worse...bustle. You might have noticed it yourself, after a wonderful weekend away camping or at the beach, when the forest is replaced by fences of your workplace or school, the zen seems like a long lost friend.

In 2014 Dr Chris Knight from Exeter University and his fellow psychologists, concluded that employees were 15% more productive when "lean" workplaces are filled with just a few houseplants, as employees who actively engage with their surroundings are better workers. Boom- follow this link to read more about how PLANTS = PRODUCTIVITY. 

Biophilia is also why looking at and playing with baby mammals (puppies, kittens, baby goats, etc) makes up feel good. Just like our mothers made us feel better when we were hurting, Mother Nature does the same......(Insert something really deep about this is WHY we need to be better on the environment living more sustainable lives, composting, growing everything, and using keep cups.) The healing power and rhythm of nature is a strong gift we can easily take for granted, especially when the weather is drizzerable. 

I got a pretty intense fever in India for 3 days, but after our trip to a temple atop the Himalayas I was cured. Sure, could be a coincidence, or placebo, but either didn't cost me anything and made me feel amazing. 2 hours ago I hit a block with rehearsing a song and lost a bunch of confidence and could see a slope of "I'm not good/talented/smart/sexy/funny enough" ready for the sliding. But Captain Planet stopped all of that.

Who do you think should play him in a movie? Young Hugh Jackman?

One of the Hemsworths'? 

There's a connection - proven - why we feel better when surrounded by nature, be it plants, puppies or streams. Outside time, patting random dogs, talking to cats, listening to the birds, putting your fingers in the dirt, dancing in the rain like in a Ricky Martin music video- whatever it is.... Biophilia will bio-fill-ya soul with nourishment and make your heart sing.

All for the price of zero dollars and about 300 seconds.*

*or as many seconds as you like, no refunds on time and groupons are not accepted.

Jj