How Nature Fuels Creativity
20 May 2025
We don’t just enjoy nature, we need it. The theory of biophilia suggests that humans are hardwired to connect with the natural world. It’s a psychological imperative! And one of the areas where this connection shows up strongest is creativity.
Coined by biologist E.O. Wilson, “biophilia” is a psycho-evolutionary theory which refers to the innate human tendency to seek connections with nature. It’s why we’re drawn to forests, oceans, even houseplants. The theory suggests our brains respond positively to natural stimuli such as light, colour, patterns, and rhythms that we evolved alongside.
Exposure to nature reduces cortisol (the stress hormone), restores cognitive resources, and activates the default mode network—the brain system linked to introspection, imagination, and idea generation. Being in nature calms the noise and clears space for fresh thinking.
Because creative thinking requires more than raw intelligence it needs openness, curiosity, and mental flexibility. Nature fosters all three. Research shows that walking in green spaces enhances divergent thinking! Even having natural elements in a workspace, plants, wood textures, daylight, can boost creative output.
Cities can spark innovation, but they also drain attention. Constant stimulation leads to cognitive fatigue and stepping outdoors offers a reset. We don’t have to choose between the outdoors and the urban, rather make choices that integrate the too.
Practical ways to harness the benefits of biophilia in our day to day
Take nature breaks. Step outside. No phone. Just observe.
Work near windows. Natural light matters.
Bring the outside in. Add plants, wood, or water features to your workspace.
Go analog in nature. Sketch, journal, brainstorm in a park, stick the phone on silent.
Design with biophilia in mind. Whether it’s a home office or a studio, let nature shape your space.
Try walk-and-talk therapy. Engage in therapeutic conversations while walking outdoors.
Biophilia isn’t a mere feel-good theory, it’s a tool for unlocking deeper creative potential. Reconnecting with the natural world, can support us to find peace and spark creative ideas, as well as wind down and relax.
Further Reading & References
Kellert, S. R., & Wilson, E. O. (1993). The Biophilia Hypothesis. Island Press.
This is the foundational work introducing the concept of biophilia and its implications for human health and well-being.
Kaplan, R., & Kaplan, S. (1989). The Experience of Nature: A Psychological Perspective. Cambridge University Press.
Berman, M. G., Jonides, J., & Kaplan, S. (2008). The cognitive benefits of interacting with nature. Psychological Science, 19(12), 1207–1212.
Atchley, R. A., Strayer, D. L., & Atchley, P. (2012). Creativity in the wild: Improving creative reasoning through immersion in natural settings. PLOS ONE, 7(12), e51474.
Bratman, G. N., Hamilton, J. P., & Daily, G. C. (2012). The impacts of nature experience on human cognitive function and mental health. Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences, 1249(1), 118–136.
Louv, R. (2005). Last Child in the Woods: Saving Our Children from Nature-Deficit Disorder. Algonquin Books.
Joyce, K., & Hayward, R. (2017). Nature’s role in inspiring creativity: A case study of creative professionals. Journal of Environmental Psychology, 54, 1–9.
Joye, Y., & van den Berg, A. (2011). Is love for green in our genes? A critical analysis of evolutionary assumptions in restorative environments research. Urban Forestry & Urban Greening, 10(4), 261–268.
Sjövall, I.A.K., Spiers, H.J. (2024). The Potential of Biophilic Design and Nature to Improve Health, Creativity and Well-Being. In: Kühn, S. (eds) Environmental Neuroscience. Springer, Cham.
Söderlund, J., & Newman, P. (2015). Biophilic architecture: A review of the rationale and evidence. Journal of Urbanism: International Research on Placemaking and Urban Sustainability, 8(4), 381–396.
Ulrich, R. S. (1984). View through a window may influence recovery from surgery. Science, 224(4647), 420–421.