Imagine your day surrounded by plush green plants and chirping birds, feeling the sun's warmth on your skin as you nurture a garden with your hands. This is not just a picturesque scene but a reality for many individuals who have discovered the therapeutic benefits of greenhouse gardening. Horticultural therapy has been gaining recognition as an intervention that uses plants and gardening to improve mental and physical health. Working with nature can release happy hormones, improve hand-eye coordination, and even shorten hospital stays.
Focus on greenhouse gardening as a form of therapy.
Greenhouse gardening is an excellent form of therapy that provides numerous benefits to your overall health and well-being. This form of therapy helps individuals unwind and release happy hormones, promoting improved physical and emotional health. Engaging in therapeutic planting activities also improves cognitive abilities and memory. Horticultural therapy is focused on promoting the people-plant connection and improving the quality of life for individuals. Greenhouse gardening offers a peaceful environment for individuals to connect with nature and experience positive psychological changes, leading to an improved quality of life. Designing therapeutic gardens for physical rehabilitation and emotional wellness is also a core aspect of greenhouse gardening therapy.
I. Benefits of greenhouse gardening as therapy
Unwinding and stress relief
Greenhouse gardening is an activity that can help unwind and relieve stress. Being surrounded by nature, planting and cultivating plants in a controlled environment can provide peace and relaxation. The act of gardening requires physical effort, and the accomplishment of taking care of living organisms can provide a sense of satisfaction that can boost mood and reduce stress levels. Moreover, working with soil releases happy hormones such as dopamine and serotonin, which can make us feel good. Gardening engages our senses and allows us to connect with nature in a way that can help reduce anxiety and promote mental wellness.
Release of happy hormones
Do you ever feel happier and more relaxed after spending time in the garden? Well, there's scientific evidence to support that! When we work with nature, our brains release happy hormones like serotonin and dopamine, which create feelings of pleasure and positivity. Working with soil, plants, and seedlings helps us connect with nature and teaches patience, perseverance, and mindfulness. Additionally, gardening activities like digging, weeding, and watering require movement, effort, and energy, contributing to overall physical and mental health. So next time you need a natural mood boost, spend time in your greenhouse garden!
Improved physical health
Greenhouse gardening provides numerous health benefits, including improvements in physical health. Regular gardening activities, such as weeding, digging, watering, and nurturing seedlings, require movement, effort, and energy and contribute to a valuable lesson in individual lives. Gardening serves as a therapeutic intervention using plants and gardening as the basis for improving mental and physical health. It improves physical health by providing a form of exercise and helps reduce pain, concentration, stress, falls, and accidents. Gardening is a great way to stay active and maintain physical fitness. [1]
Improved emotional health and social interaction
Greenhouse gardening can significantly improve emotional health and social interaction. Scientific evidence has shown that gardening can help reduce the symptoms of depression and anxiety while also promoting relaxation and calmness. This therapeutic practice can help people build meaningful connections with nature and encourage positive social interactions by nurturing a shared interest in gardening. Additionally, engaging with like-minded people in community gardens or horticultural therapy programs helps foster community, friendship, and support. Greenhouse gardening can improve emotional well-being and social interaction by creating a positive and welcoming environment. [2]
Improved cognitive abilities and memory
Green gardening isn't just great for improving physical health and emotional well-being and boosting cognitive abilities and memory. According to a recent study, gardening activities in seniors improved brain nerve growth factors related to cognitive function, including brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF). In addition, horticultural therapy has been shown to improve memory, information processing, task focus, language, and social interaction in those with intellectual deficits and degenerative brain diseases. So, if you want to sharpen your mind while enjoying the benefits of gardening, grab a trowel and start planting! [3]
II. How greenhouse gardening works as a therapy
People-plant connection
The people-plant connection is an ancient bond that benefits our mental and physical health. Horticultural therapy uses plants and gardening as therapeutic intervention to improve our overall well-being. Interacting with plants can bring a sense of calm and purpose, while surrounded by nature can improve blood pressure, heart rate, and stress hormone levels. As caretakers of plants, individuals feel a sense of responsibility and accomplishment, boosting self-esteem and confidence. Through gardening, we can connect with our natural environment and reap the rewards of this invaluable relationship.
Positive psychological changes and improved quality of life
Green gardening as a form of therapy can bring about positive psychological changes and improve the quality of life of individuals. Working with plants leads to an improvement in mood, increased self-esteem, and reduced stress levels. Caring for plants and nurturing their growth increases an individual's self-efficacy and belief in their capabilities. This newfound self-growth can also lead to an improvement in social interaction. Participants learn to solve new problems and follow instructions while working independently. Seeing the growth of plants and appreciating the life around us can have a calming and deeply therapeutic effect.
Design of therapeutic gardens for physical rehabilitation and emotional wellness
Designing therapeutic gardens for physical rehabilitation and emotional wellness is essential to horticultural therapy. The design should provide a natural, calming environment that stimulates the senses and encourages physical activity. Including raised beds, accessible paths, and appropriate seating areas is crucial to accommodate people with limited mobility and reach. Additionally, incorporating elements like water features, art, and animals can elicit emotional responses and improve mood. Using fragrance and touchable plants throughout the garden can also provide a sensory experience that promotes relaxation and stress relief. With careful design, therapeutic gardens can positively impact physical, emotional, and cognitive health.
