A literature review: Natural elements in recovery room design and their role in cognitive restoration and patient health and wellbeing

The healthcare environment of recovery rooms is critical and is often overlooked as a predictor of patients' physical and psychological recovery. Research has proven that incorporating natural elements, such as green spaces, sunlight, and biophilic designs, helps reduce recovery time, decrease reliance on medication, and improve mental health outcomes. This paper reviews previous findings to establish how natural resources can accelerate recovery, reduce the need for medications, and improve the patient’s mental health. The paper applies Attention Restoration Theory (ART) to explain how nature helps reduce cognitive fatigue and, consequently, facilitates recovery. The study's findings indicate that healthcare organizations should consider incorporating natural elements into their buildings, as this is an affordable way to enhance patients' well-being. The central thesis is that natural details enhance the cognitive restoration process and, therefore, decrease mental fatigue, which may lead to faster recovery. Ultimately, this paper explains how integrating nature into the design of healthcare facilities can be a cost-efficient way to achieve better patient recovery and, thus, better health and hospital environments