Unlock the healing power of nature in your garden
The last 12 months have proved to be one of the most stressful in living memory, loss, fear, stress are impacting us all in different ways and for a variety of reasons . I have noticed and it is reported across the horticultural industry; that more and more people are becoming more engaged with their outdoor environment, and finding solace in gardens and parks.
Why is nature still important to humans?
Regardless of age or culture, humans find nature restorative. Many studies show that after a stressful event, images of nature very quickly produce a calming effect. Within three to four minutes after viewing nature scenes, blood pressure, respiration rate, brain activity, and the production of stress hormones all decrease and mood improves.
What specific benefits do gardens offer?
Gardens are particularly beneficial to promote healing because humans are hard-wired to find nature engrossing and soothing.
Gardens provide psychological, social, physical, emotional, and spiritual benefits. A large part of this is because of the positive reactions humans have to nature.
A sense of control in a crazy world
For many people, being in nature and interacting with the natural world, brings a sense of peace, tranquillity, and feelings of connectedness – with self, others and a higher power. We all need to feel that we have choices about what we can do, and in times of stress, a garden affords us this opportunity to take control of something, by planting seeds or pruning and weeding. It gives us a sense of control and purpose that offers immediate results.
What are important features of healing gardens?
If you want to create a healing space for yourself or a loved one here are a few simple tips.
- Have lots of real nature; lots of green vegetation and flowers,
- A calm water element can add to a sense of peace,
- A bench or a seat so be able to sit in nature.
What to avoid
- Too much hard landscaping without green elements.
- Avoid any abstract features or sculptures, these can be very subjective and what is soothing to one may cause anxiety for another.
- Fragrances should be light and not too heavy or over bearing.
Most important of all is to get yourself outside whenever you can, wrap up warm and take your time to take in your surroundings. Stop the chatter for a few moments and quietly sit. Hear the breeze in the trees, the birds singing, observe the tiny shoots of bulbs emerging and breath some fresh air.