Wooden toys and mental well-being

Do you want to invest in creativity and mental well-being?

Yes, who wouldn't want that 😁 Try reading on, because it has been proven that wood and wooden building sets give you mental well-being, peace, security and support the body's reconstruction.

One of the first things I discovered with wooden toys like WoodMee® was the significantly different tactile feel of building the various wooden elements into models and figures.

Throughout my life as a toy designer, I have built with an incredible variety of construction toys, especially plastic. Plastic blocks have a characteristically smooth surface, some products snap together well and have a consistently sharp feel.

But when I first got enough WoodMee® prototypes in my hands to build more, I experienced a profoundly different feeling. The wood was soft, warm, and much more compact. Although the wood also had a smooth surface, you could sense an underlying structure that plastic doesn't offer. I simply built with a different feel in my fingers than any other building set I had tried.

At the time, it was of course a subjective and personal feeling and not something based on data or research. But it was a huge eureka moment .

 

How Wood Affects the Brain – Spoiler: It's Good for You

Okay, nerd warning... I found a 2017 Japanese study called "Physiological Effects of Touching Wood" by Yoshifumi Miyazaki, Harumi Ikei, and Chorong Song. The study provided fascinating insights into how contact with wood affects our brain and body.

The experiment examined the physiological responses to touching various materials, including wood. Participants were asked to place their palms on samples of these materials while the researchers measured:

🧠 Activity in the prefrontal cortex (brain activity).

💓 Heart rate variations (indicates parasympathetic activity = rebuilding the body).

The results were remarkable: When participants touched wood, activity in the prefrontal cortex was reduced, indicating less stress and greater relaxation. At the same time, parasympathetic activity increased, further confirming the relaxing effect. In comparison, other materials did not have the same calming effect, but actually the opposite, as they gave an increased impression of discomfort, danger, artificiality and stress.

If you are interested, here is the entire detailed study: Physiological Effects of Touching Wood.

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Biophilic design – nature in your everyday life

You may have heard of biophilic design, which is basically about integrating nature and natural elements into our indoor environments.

Research shows that humans have spent over 99.99% of their evolutionary history in natural environments and less than 0.01% in modern, urbanized settings. Artificial environments cause stress, while natural stimuli, like touching wood, bring us back to our original, relaxed state.

The warm tones and unique texture of wood create a connection to nature, which can have significant benefits:

🌿 Improved atmosphere: Wood creates warmth and tranquility that other materials rarely can  match.

🏡 Natural aesthetics: The organic look of wood brings balance and harmony to the space and to you.

Biophilic Design also includes other elements such as light, plants and water, but wood is a cornerstone of this design philosophy. Wood's ability to connect us to nature and create a sense of calm makes it an indispensable part of good design for people and their surroundings.

Here is more about biophilic design and its benefits: The Principles of Biophilic Design  

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Nordic and Japanese tradition

Wood is a material that has deep aesthetic and cultural significance. In Nordic design, wood represents quality, simplicity and authenticity. It is a material celebrated for its natural aesthetics and durability, often seen in iconic Danish furniture, where functionality and beauty go hand in hand.

Japanese design shares this approach with a strong connection to the beauty of nature. Philosophies like wabi-sabi celebrate the unique variations and imperfections of wood, creating a sense of harmony and balance. Here, function and aesthetics meet in a quest for simplicity and tranquility.

This fusion of Nordic and Japanese design is also reflected in modern products like WoodMee®, which combines the natural beauty and practicality of wood.

Good reasons to choose wood in toys

There are many benefits to choosing wood for design and creative building sets like WoodMee®. When we create wooden building sets, we not only bring a natural and safe material to children, but also a product that is proven to support calm and well-being. It is an investment in both creativity and mental health – for children and adults.

Best regards

Jesper, WoodMee®