{"id":158,"date":"2018-02-02T17:01:07","date_gmt":"2018-02-02T17:01:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/direct2u.co.uk\/blog\/lockers\/?p=158"},"modified":"2018-12-18T10:41:40","modified_gmt":"2018-12-18T10:41:40","slug":"can-wood-create-a-healthier-workplace","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/direct2u.co.uk\/blog\/lockers\/can-wood-create-a-healthier-workplace\/","title":{"rendered":"Can wood create a healthier workplace?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\"Can<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

A\n key design trend in 2018 is wood. It\u2019s also been claimed that wood or \nwood effect can have a positive influence on health and well being in \nthe home and workplace. The trend has arisen because of our day to day \nlives becoming overcrowded with technology. People have expressed a need\n to get closer to nature. Consequently, we are introducing more wood and\n greenery in our homes and work places to fulfil this desire.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

First, let\u2019s take a look at this year\u2019s design trends and what\u2019s on the way in.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

TREND 1: Rich, earthy tones<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Think\n dark, natural colours. Browns, sage greens, rustic oranges and blues. \nThese colours add depth to a room and are calming colours. As a side \ntrend jewel colours are also in. So, you can brighten a room by adding \nemeralds, purples and brighter oranges as accents.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

TREND 2: Dark woods<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

2018\n is set to be the year where we see a turn away from pale wooden tones \nas the luxurious tones of dark wood become the new \u2018modern luxe\u2019. Look \nout for Walnut, Rosewood and dark stains.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

TREND 3: Texture<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

This\n is going to be huge this season. Why not achieve this trend in the \noffice will wood effect laminate, which will add warmth without the \ncost. Create contrasting textures with exposed steel and wood. We \nrecently experimented with this trend in our new boardroom. Paring solid\n oak tops for our boardroom tables with steel leg frames that have a \nclear lacquered finish exposing the weld. This has been a great success \nand show the steel work at it\u2019s best in it\u2019s natural form.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Featured<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The real reason we all need to reconnect with nature<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

A\n study by FPInnovations in collaboration with the University of British \nColumbia made a connection between wood and human health. The study \nfocused on the relationship between visual wood and the activation of \nthe sympathetic nervous system (SNS), which is \u201cresponsible for the \nphysiological stress responses in humans\u201d. They created four office \nenvironments: a non-wood control room, a non-wood room with greenery, a \nnatural wood room and a natural wood room with greenery. They then \nmeasured stress of students inside each room via the activation of their\n SNS.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When the SNS is activated this can increase blood pressure \nand heart rate. It can also \u201cinhibit digestion, recovery and repair \nfunctions in the body\u201d. Importantly, if long periods of time are spent \nin SNS this can have not only physical effects on the human body but \nalso psychological effects.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The results showed that \u201cSNS \nactivation was lower in the wood room\u201d at all time during the study. \nTherefore, the study came to the conclusion that the presence of visual \nwood in a indoor environment reduces SNS activation. Thus, reducing \nstress and creating a healthier environment, especially to work within.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The direct health benefits to nature they list in the study are:<\/h2>\n\n\n\n