Biophilic environment with auditory-olfactory stimuli contributes to psychophysiological restoration from stress

Abstract

Biophilic design enhances physical and mental well-being by integrating natural elements and forms to activate humanity's innate biophilic instincts, providing a solution to address escalating stress in modern lifestyles. Compared to visual stimuli, auditory and olfactory stimuli provide more personalized experiences and portability, enabling private customization. This study aimed to investigate the effects of single and combined auditory and olfactory stimuli within biophilic environments on stress relief. 16 participants participated in the study. The experiment utilized traffic noise as a stressor to elicit stress, subsequently randomized to four recovery conditions: 1) auditory (birdsong and flowing water sound), 2) olfactory (sweet orange scent), 3) combined sensory stimuli, and 4) control environment. Physiological indicators, including electrocardiogram (ECG), electrodermal activity (EDA), and electroencephalogram (EEG) parameters, were used to assess nervous system function. Additionally, subjective questionnaires including Scale of Positive and Negative Experience (SPANE), sound perceptions, and odor pleasantness served as psychological indicators. Both physiological and psychological measures were employed to assess the impact of single or combined sensory stimuli on stress reduction. The findings revealed that noise-induced physiological and psychological stress responses, while a restorative environment designed with biophilic elements significantly facilitated recovery from these stress responses. Combined auditory-olfactory stimuli proved more effective in promoting recovery compared to individual sensory stimulation alone. This study provides important references for the practical application of biophilic design and offers theoretical support for the creation of healthy indoor environments.