WELL - that's life.

Exposure to indoor air pollutants can lead to a variety of health and well-being outcomes from headaches, eye irritation or runny nose to more severe health issues such as childhood asthma, carbon monoxide poisoning, cancer and other respiratory disorders. Indoor air quality can be degraded significantly by volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that off-gas from paints, finishes and other coatings, and also result from the use of cleaning products, air fresheners, personal care products, and other materials. The WELL Air Concept seeks to implement holistic design strategies to promote clean air and minimize human exposure to harmful contaminants, in order to maximize benefits to productivity, well-being and health.

In addition to facilitating vision, light influences the human body in non-visual ways. Humans and animals are continuously sensitive to light and have internal clocks that synchronize physiological functions on roughly a 24-hour cycle called the circadian rhythm. The Institute of Medicine reports that about 50 to 70 million U.S. adults have a chronic sleep or wakefulness disorder. To maintain optimal, synchronized circadian rhythms, the body requires periods of both brightness and darkness. The WELL Light Concept promotes exposure to light and aims to create lighting environments that promote visual, mental and biological health.

It is increasingly recognized that a complex relationship exists between the mind and the body and that this interplay can significantly impact health and well-being. For instance, exercise increases the release of serotonin, which can elevate mood and regulate the sleep cycle. Design strategies, such as increasing nature contact within built spaces, has been linked with numerous health promoting benefits, including decreased levels of depression and anxiety, increased attentional capacity, better recovery from job stress and illness, and increased psychological well-being. The WELL Mind Concept promotes mental health through policy, program and design strategies that seek to address the diverse factors that influence cognitive and emotional well-being.