We were not designed for the artificial environments we now inhabit. For tens of thousands of years, human brains adapted to the rhythms of nature- soft, filtered light from the sun and the moon, wind through trees, and the predictable cycles of day and night.
As a result our sensory processing evolved in harmony with biophilic stimuli: the crunch of leaves, the smell of earth, and fractal patterns unwinding themselves in the spiral furls of fern fronds.
These cues signaled safety and equilibrium. But today? That equilibrium is constantly disrupted.
Instead of birdsong, we hear traffic. Instead of dappled sunlight, we endure flickering LEDs. Instead of textures like soil and bark, we feel plastic, polyester, and pavement. Our sensory processing is forced to engage in a battle it wasn't designed for.
The Sensory Taxation of Modern Life
For those of us with heightened sensory perception- this mismatch isn't just a minor annoyance. It may be a source of chronic stress.
Here's why:
Artificial Stimulation Overloads our Processing System
Neon lights, honking cars, electronic notifications from our phones and constant background media chatter can stress our autonomic nervous systems.
Instead of clear, rhythmic sensory input, (such as waves or wind patterns) we receive erratic, unnatural bursts of stimulation that keep our bodies in a reactive state.
Lack of Predictable Patterns Disrupts Regulation
In nature, sounds and sensations follow predictable, harmonious patterns. In many urban or suburban environments, things are more random- people suddenly invading personal space, car sirens or alarms blare at unpredictable intervals, and even stores now bombard the shopping experience with ads playing from screens and loudspeaker announcements.
This constant unpredictability may trigger a fight or flight response in many sensitive individuals.
The Missing Element: Deep Sensory Nourishment
Nature provides more than just pretty views or peaceful sounds- it gives biological regulation.
Natural sounds contain fractal patterns that help to synchronize brainwaves. Walking barefoot or touching natural materials provides grounding feedback for our body.
Without these elements, our sensory systems feel like a computer running too many background processes- lagging, overheating and eventually crashing.
The Consequences of Living in a Sensory Hostile World
For neurodivergent individuals, the sensory taxation of modern life may look like:
-chronic exhaustion: burnout from filtering too much input.
-emotional dysregulation: small stressors feel bigger because the nervous system is already overloaded.
-difficulty focusing: brain prioritizes threat detection over concentration.
-social withdrawal: avoiding overwhelming environments to self-preserve.
-increased anxiety and hypervigilance: brain struggles to process rapid, erratic input.
You might be asking, "Who cares? Doesn't everyone deal with this?"
To some level, yes, but individuals have varying bandwidth for sensory processing needs and for many it is not just an inconvenience, it is a physiological stressor that can make daily life feel like a battle.
So What Can We Do?
Using Principles of Biomimicry to Make Our Environments More Like Nature
If we can't escape our current environments, we can redesign them to better align with how WE are designed to function. One of the most effective ways to do this is through biomimicry- the practice of modeling our environments after natural systems.
Nature has already perfected the art of balance, harmony, and regulation. By integrating natures principles into our daily spaces, we can create an environment that supports rather than overwhelms us.
Here are some strategies to bring biomimicry into our homes, workspaces, and daily routines:
Design for Sensory Rhythms (Mimic Natural Cycles)
In nature, everything moves in rhythms- the sun rising and setting, the tides flowing in and out, the seasonal shifts. We regulate ourselves through these repeating patterns, but modern life often disrupts them with artificial stimulation.
BIOMIMICRY STRATEGIES:
Use dynamic lighting that shifts with the time of day (warm light in the evening, bright natural spectrum light in the morning).
Incorporate natural sound cycles (morning birdsong, wind chimes, or water sounds to create predictable auditory patterns).
Create routines that mirror natural transitions (start the morning with exposure to light and wind down with soft candlelight at night).
Use Fractals in Your Space (Nature's Stress Reducers)
Fractals- repeating patterns that appear at different scales- are found everywhere in nature, from tree branches and river systems to shells and snowflakes. Research shows that fractals have a calming effect, helping to reduce stress and enhance focus.
BIOMIMICRY STRATEGIES:
Surround yourself with patterns (in textiles, wallpaper, or artwork. Look for organic, repeating patterns instead of sharp geometric shapes).
Choose decor with flowing, natural lines (pass on hard, straight edges)
Bring in fractal-rich plants (ferns, succulents, or ivy).
Optimize Air and Scent Like a Natural Ecosystem
Air in natural environments is dynamic, clean, and infused with beneficial compounds (think: crisp forest air or salty ocean winds). Modern indoor spaces, however, often have stagnant, chemically-laden air that can contribute to sensory overload.
BIOMIMICRY STRATEGIES:
Mimic forest air by introducing plants that filter toxins (peace lilies, snake plants and pothos are great options).
Use essential oil diffusers with phytonocides (tree-derived compounds found in pine, cedar and eucalyptus).
Improve airflow (try cross ventilation or air purifiers to mimic constant movement of outdoor air).
Incorporate Natural Textures for Grounding
Nature provides an incredible variety of tactile experience- soft moss, rough bark, cool stones, smooth water. These textures provide grounding and offer a sense of stability and calm.
BIOMIMICRY STRATEGIES:
Add tactile diversity to your space with a mix of natural materials (wool blankets, wood furniture, smooth stones on a desk, clay or ceramic dishware).
Walk barefoot on different surfaces (grass, sand, wood) whenever possible to engage your body's natural settling mechanisms.
Choose furniture with organic, touchable surfaces (natural wood or linen for example).
Recreate the Biophilic Effect of Natural Water
Water is one of the most powerful regulators of the nervous system. The sound of flowing water, the sensation of mist, and the sight of ripples all have a profound calming effect on the brain.
BIOMIMICRY STRATEGIES:
Incorporate small water features, like a tabletop fountain or an aquarium, to provide the sound and movement of water.
Take advantage of hydrotherapy- warm baths or even misting your face can simulate the way water can help with regulation.
Keep a bowl of water with floating flowers or stones as a simple, sensory-focused visual cue.
Align Your Space With the Golden Ratio (Nature's Perfect Balance)
The golden ratio (1.618:1) is a proportion found throughout nature, from the spirals of galaxies to the structure of a pinecone. We are naturally drawn to these proportions because they create a sense of visual and spatial balance.
BIOMIMICRY STRATEGIES:
Use spiral or organic shapes in decor to reflect the natural balance of nature.
Position key items in your space according to the rule of thirds (a composition technique used in photography that reflects natural balance.
Adapt to Seasonal Cues for Deep Regulation
Nature doesn't stay the same- it shifts and adjusts with the seasons. We thrive on these subtle environmental changes and so when everything around us is artificially static (temperature controlled, same lighting, same foods year round instead of seasonally) our systems don't cope well.
BIOMIMICRY STRATEGIES:
Change the sensory elements in your space regularly (lighter fabrics and florals in the spring/summer; heavier textures and grounding scents in fall/winter).
Adjust your diet to match seasonal rhythms- eating warm, dense foods in the winter and cooling, water-rich foods in the summer.
Expose yourself to seasonal temperature shifts instead of keeping indoor temperatures at the same levels year round. Honestly this one is hard for me with body temperature regulation issues but sometimes just momentary exposure by walking outside to get a cold, fresh breath of air in the winter or walking for a bit at the warmest part of the day can help and in the hot, hot summer aiming to step out for some sunshine periodically throughout the day.
Check out companies like Of Days and Seasons (daysandseasons.com) to learn more about using the rhythms of nature to live in harmony with the earth instead of paddling upstream against it.
Use Multi-Sensory Cues to Anchor the Rhythm of the Day
In nature, different times of the day have distinct sensory signatures- the soft light of dawn, the warmth of mid day, the cooling breeze of evening. Our bodies expect these transitions, but in artificial environments- time can feel flat and unchanging.
BIOMIMICRY STRATEGIES:
Create a scent-based timing cue (citrus in the morning, warm cinnamon at night, etc) to help signal transitions.
Use soundscapes to mark different parts of the day- (bird songs in the morning, flowing water mid-day, and soft wind or crickets in the evening).
Adjust your movement patterns to match the day's rhythms (stretching with sunrise, slow, winding down movement in the evening).
The Bigger Picture
Our environments were designed for efficiency, not human sensory health. But we don't have to passively accept its overstimulation. By intentionally curating our sensory environments, we can reclaim our natural rhythms- giving ourselves the ability to lean into comfort instead of endure what can feel like assault.
Because we weren't built for the concrete jungle.
But with the right tools, we can build our environments around our varying needs, even in the middle of it.
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