“She said the object and color in the materials around us actually have a physical effect on us, on how we feel.”
- May 12, 1820 – August 13, 1910
- Born in the Grand Duchy of Tuscany (Italy)
- Nurse, statistician
- Established modern nursing, promoted sanitary reform through her work in the Crimean War, and wrote “Notes on Nursing”
Quote
“She said the object and color in the materials around us actually have a physical effect on us, on how we feel.”
Explanation
This quote reflects Florence Nightingale’s pioneering ideas about the environmental impact on health, a concept that she championed long before it became widely recognized. Nightingale believed that the physical surroundings—including color, light, and objects—influenced a person’s emotional and physical state. Her views were part of her broader commitment to improving hospital conditions, where she advocated for environments that promoted well-being and healing. Specifically, she recognized that color could affect mood and recovery: for example, bright, stimulating colors might be too overwhelming for patients, while soothing hues could help create a calming atmosphere conducive to recovery.
Her focus on the environmental factors of care was revolutionary at the time. Nightingale understood that patients’ health wasn’t only impacted by medical treatment but by the psychological and emotional effects of their surroundings. This perspective laid the foundation for what is now considered environmental psychology, which studies the relationship between our physical surroundings and our mental and emotional states. Nightingale’s commitment to well-ventilated, clean, and aesthetically calming hospital designs has influenced the way modern healthcare environments are structured, with hospitals today often incorporating aspects of nature, light, and color therapy to enhance patient recovery.
In contemporary healthcare, this idea is widely accepted. Therapeutic environments are now considered a key aspect of healing, with many hospitals investing in creating spaces that are not only functional but also nurturing and comforting. The use of color in hospital design has been shown to impact stress levels, pain perception, and overall well-being. For example, soft blues and greens are used to create a sense of calm, while vibrant colors like yellow or orange are employed in areas where energy and stimulation are needed. Nightingale’s early recognition of the profound effect that the environment can have on health continues to guide healthcare practices, reminding us that our surroundings are integral to both our physical health and emotional resilience.
