The use of wood promotes the health and well-being of mind and body!

The use of wood can influence the quality of indoor air. Wood has the ability to absorb and release moisture, in other words to balance variation in the humidity of indoor air. Balanced humidity in indoor air improves the quality of the air by reducing the need for ventilation while at the same time improving energy efficiency.

The use of wood can even go as far as affecting the mood of people and their level of physiological stress. According to research, people react to the use of wood in a positive way both physiologically and psychologically. Environments with wooden structures and furniture cause a drop in blood pressure and pulse and have a calming effect.

The use of wood is particularly favoured in facilities where people spend long periods of time, such as offices, hospitals and health centres, waiting rooms, schools and day care centres.

According to research, the use of wood in hospital construction supports convalescence, reduces stress and raises spirits. By using natural massive wood, it has also been found that the humidity of indoor air in hospitals can be kept optimal from a health perspective, particularly for those suffering from allergies and asthma.

In classrooms with whole-wood interiors, the morning stress peak, measured as a variation in pulse rate, subsided soon after arriving at school and did not rise again. In a normal classroom, on the other hand, a mild level of stress in pupils continued throughout the day. Correspondingly, the pupils’ experiences of stress, such as fatigue or feelings of inefficiency, are less in wooden classrooms than in normal ones.