Plants are the foundation of life on Earth. They filter our water, protect us from the sun’s harmful rays, and even help us breathe. But did you know that plants have also been shown to improve our physical and mental health? Find out how nature can heal your body and mind in this article!
What is Horticulture therapy?
Horticultural therapy is a form of therapy in which horticulture is used as a tool to help people with mental health issues. It can be used to treat a range of disorders, including depression, anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder. The program teaches clients how to use gardening activities as an outlet for their emotions, providing them with a safe space where they can express themselves without judgment or fear of ridicule.
Here are some benefits of horticultural therapy:
- It can improve moods and reduce stress levels by giving people something productive to focus on during their sessions
- It encourages self-esteem, confidence and independence by giving clients responsibility over their own gardens and the ability to grow things themselves (i.e., tomatoes)
It provides a sense of purpose and helps clients connect with others by encouraging them to share their experiences.
How is horticulture therapy beneficial to your body and physical health?
Horticulture therapy is a form of physical therapy that uses plants to improve the physical health and well-being of patients. Horticultural therapists seek to improve their clients’ posture, balance, strength and flexibility through gardening activities. By working with plants in this way, horticulture therapists can help patients build muscle tone throughout their bodies while also improving their posture and reducing pain caused by poor posture or injury.
What are the emotional benefits of horticulture therapy?
The emotional benefits of horticulture therapy are often similar to the physical benefits. In some cases, they can even be more pronounced. For example, a 2013 study found that participants who took part in a gardening program reported increased well-being and self-esteem after six months compared with those who did not participate — and there was no control group for comparison.
Horticultural therapy has been shown to reduce stress levels by reducing cortisol levels (the stress hormone) as well as increasing oxytocin levels (the “feel good” hormone) in the body — both of which are associated with feeling relaxed and happy! Plus, being outdoors means you’re exposed to more sunlight than usual: A study published in 2012 found that 20 minutes of sun exposure each day can help improve your mood by helping regulate serotonin levels within your brain — which helps you feel happier!
Another way horticultural therapy can boost your mood is through its ability to help you feel less alone while also connecting you more closely with nature: A 2012 study published in HortTechnology showed that patients who were treated at home were able to achieve greater health outcomes when paired with pets or plants than those who were treated without either animal or plant companionship
Is horticulture therapy particularly helpful for certain people?
Horticulture therapy is a wonderful treatment for many people, but it can be especially helpful to those who are struggling with depression and anxiety. Anyone who has been diagnosed with PTSD or dementia can benefit from horticulture therapy as well. Additionally, children on the autism spectrum may find that horticulture therapy helps them to feel less overwhelmed by their environment and more comfortable in social situations.
The reasons for this are not entirely clear. It may be that the repetitive nature of gardening helps people focus their attention on something other than their own thoughts, which can help them to relax and feel less anxious. Or maybe it’s the sense of accomplishment that comes from growing a beautiful garden that makes people feel better.
Where do you access horticulture therapy?
If you’re interested in getting involved with horticultural therapy, where do you go? There are many options. If you live in an area that has a hospital there might be horticultural therapy programs available. These typically focus on helping patients recover from illness or injury and rehabilitate their health.
Horticultural therapy is also available at community gardens and other organizations focused on community wellness. For example, if there’s a community garden near your home that offers garden-related activities for kids with disabilities (or for any child), then this could be a great way to get started with horticultural therapy if your child needs some extra support interacting socially with others his age.
If you’ve been struggling with physical or emotional ailments, horticulture therapy could be the answer. It’s a relatively new form of treatment, but one that has been proven to be effective in treating all sorts of mental and physical ailments. Horticulture therapy can help improve your mood, reduce stress levels and even strengthen muscle strength—all while giving you an opportunity to enjoy the incredible beauty of nature!