By Cynthia B. Lauer, Master Gardener, SCMG
Evidence-based designers create therapeutic gardens for people struggling with a wide range of illnesses. But the healing properties of plants can be enjoyed by anyone seeking well-being and renewal.
Gardens Are Good for Your Health
Wisdom of the restorative effects of green spaces is as old as plants themselves. Now scrutinized by scientists, the rewards of the therapeutic garden can be enjoyed by anyone, anywhere.
One approach is horticultural therapy found in institutional settings such as acute or chronic care hospitals, and care facilities for seniors, disabled persons, or psychiatric patients. These programs are led by professionally-trained horticultural therapists and may involve structured interactions with plants in an activity room or an on-site garden. A second approach, therapeutic horticulture, facilitates interaction with plants in non-clinical settings. Oriented toward stress-reduction or resilience-building, activities are led by lay persons or may be self-directed.
While the burgeoning wellness industry attests to the appeal of plants, many of these products have not been adequately tested. Scientific evidence does exist, however, for the benefits of horticultural therapy and therapeutic horticulture. Differences in research design means that conclusions are not always generalizable to all populations in all locations. Nonetheless, they are valid and reliable within meaningful parameters. Published in international scholarly peer-reviewed journals by qualified specialists in their fields, the research indicates a strong positive relationship between green space and health.
Nature as a Clinical Intervention
In a consolidation of research on the effects of natural environments on physical and mental health, a Toronto Public Health report notes reductions in obesity, cardiovascular disease, all-cause mortality, and improved birth outcomes. One systematic review found strong evidence for a positive association between the quantity of green space in people’s living environment and perceived mental health and mortality due to all causes. The effects are general and lifelong.
Simply looking at nature reduces anxiety, stress, and heart rate. In 1984, a now-classic study on gall bladder patients in a Pennsylvania hospital showed that post-operative healing took less time for patients whose windows offered a view of trees compared to patients with a view of a brick wall. The first group of patients also required less potent pain medication and had fewer postsurgical complications.
Presence in nature is most rehabilitative for people experiencing the highest levels of stress. This result is unaffected by sex, socioeconomic level, or age. Living without access to green space compared with living near dense green space is associated with 15–55% higher risk of most psychiatric disorders. This effect remains after adjusting for urbanization, socioeconomic factors, and family history of mental illness.
Moving through natural environments results in improves cognitive function, academic performance and the ability to perform mentally challenging tasks. Nature is restorative in that it improves one’s focus and reduces mental fatigue. With respect to emotional well-being, there is evidence of nature’s beneficial changes on feelings of energy, anxiety, anger, fatigue and sadness.
Nature as Wellness Factory
Whether in the form of wilderness backpacking, gardening, or simply having a view of nature, plants have been linked to a long list of good things. Walking amidst green space relieves stress, improves cognition, increases physical activity, and enriches social interaction. Long duration in nature is unnecessary. Studies have shown that large benefits can be achieved with a minimal investment of time. In fact, the largest gains are observed within the first five minutes of activity.
Spending time in woodland areas decreases stress and blood pressure, lowers heart rate and cortisol levels, and boosts mood. Benefits of “forest bathing”, the Japanese tradition of shinrinyoku, have been measured in those with early dementia, post-traumatic stress disorder, hypertension, alcoholism, breast and lung cancer, major depressive disorder, chronic widespread pain, and substance abuse.
Evidence shows that the activity of gardening reduces depression, anxiety, and body mass index as well as increases in life satisfaction, quality of life, and sense of community. While more research is needed on the duration and frequency of gardening and health outcomes, it is clear that, in the words of one group of researchers, a “regular dose of gardening can improve public health”.
The therapeutic garden delivers abundant gifts to those who tend it. You don’t have to be suffering from stress or any other problem in order to experience the rewards offered by plants whether in a forest or in a balcony container garden. Access is open, free, and generous.
Cynthia B. Lauer is a member of Simcoe County Master Gardeners, a retired sociology professor, a published author (as C. Levine-Rasky), and proprietor of Plum Publishing Development Services for academic and nonfiction writers.
