Environmental Enrichment for Human Health: A Salutogenic Vision

The different cultures of mankind have taught us that certain environments provide people with a sense of physical well-being and peace of mind. Gardens, fountains, sounds, smells and architectural features of these environments are just a few examples that obviously contribute to these settings. It's exciting to see that today these themes are being revisited by scientific research. A number of studies have even shown that wellbeing and psychological status of individuals can be positively influenced by favourable environments. In addition, researchers have observed significant associations between features of the physical environment and health outcomes, suggesting that a favourable environment might influence not only wellbeing but also the course of diseases and human health. This book presented by Etienne Bourdon tackles these issues through evidence-based approaches to the effects of the physical environment on health. This book is aimed at caregivers, offering them a new dimension in their practice by associating the major role of the environment. It is addressed to managers of healthcare facilities, underlining the urgent need to question the negative influence of the environment when it can be perceived as an impoverished environment. It provides architects with an essential guideline to integrate into their work on the design or renovation of care facilities. It is addressed to urban planners, sociologists, environmentalists, business leaders and politicians, inviting them to reconsider the physical environment in its influence on human health - whether in geriatric institutions, hospitals, urban spaces, communities, industrial sites or corporate headquarters. Finally, it is aimed at students and all citizens wishing to establish a relationship with their living environment that will have a lasting influence on their health and well-being.