I like to stare at my floor

We recently got new flooring. Instead of dull plastic laminate, we now have natural, grey-colored wood on the floor of our master bathroom. Every time I walk in the room, without exception, I see this wood and take a tiny moment to soak it in and appreciate the natural beauty of it. It puts a smile on my face and renews my soul.

Nordic homes include a lot of natural materials, wood being one of them. Most homes use wood for flooring because it holds the heat better than stone. It feels warm on our feet and natural to our senses. While wood flooring has always been popular in the U.S., wood paneling on the walls also seems to be coming back in style. Thankfully, with a more Nordic approach than the last time. And green is the new accent color. Wood and green; you’d think they were making a forest in the house. But I suppose that is the objective.

Being in nature, especially in the forest, has been proven to reduce our heart rate, improve our immune system, decrease our stress levels, and boost our mood. Countless studies have focused on the effects of nature. And they all come back with the same conclusion: we are better when we are surrounded by the outdoors. 

So yes, let’s get outside more. But perhaps it’s time to do as the Nordics do. It’s time for me to bring more nature inside.

What did I learn from this?

Bringing nature inside brings the health benefits as well.