It goes without saying that we all appreciate the gentle peace of a park; the whisper of the wind through thick vegetation and perhaps the burble of a stream as we enjoy the springy green grass underfoot.
That’s simply how we were made. We are captivated and soothed by nature.
However, the therapeutic power of nature is proving to have a host of secret benefits that we can tap into.
Therapeutic garden, or healing gardens as they are also called, have been of interest in the medical field of late. (While we use these terms together, strictly speaking, a therapeutic garden is created for a specific patient population with elements that have been deliberately set up to engage these people.)
What is a Therapeutic Garden?
While being outdoors is therapy on its own, a therapeutic garden is a specific place that has been set aside to meet physical, psychological and spiritual needs of people in care. And in some cases, even the caregivers themselves.
For example, hospitals, nursing homes, retirement communities and out-patient therapy centres have made use of a carefully designed green space which aims to reduce stress, improve wellbeing and offer some relief from symptoms.
A fascinating study lists a host of proven benefits of a therapeutic garden: “Being in nature, or even viewing scenes of nature, reduces anger, fear, and stress and increases pleasant feelings. Exposure to nature not only makes you feel better emotionally, it contributes to your physical wellbeing, reducing blood pressure, heart rate, muscle tension, and the production of stress hormones. It may even reduce mortality, according to scientists such as public health researchers Stamatakis and Mitchell.”
Water in a Therapeutic Garden
Our research has shown clearly that, with very few exceptions, a water feature is a key element of a healing garden.
However, the jury is still out on exactly why we, as humans, seem to be drawn to water features.
Some say that it meets a spiritual requirement as water is intrinsically linked to our humanity and basic needs.
Some doctors say of the spray of a waterfall, “Once they reach our bloodstream, negative ions are believed to produce biochemical reactions that increase levels of the mood chemical serotonin, helping to alleviate depression, relieve stress, and boost our daytime energy.”
Other sources say that the sound of water soothes us emotionally and mentally, assisting with stress and providing better sleep.
Whatever the reasons (and there are many) including a water feature in your therapeutic garden allows the full serenity and healing power of nature to do its best work.
The Pool Spa Team are more than swimming pool specialists. We have a portfolio of beautiful ponds, water features and fountains that we are very proud to put our name to. Why not chat to one of our friendly staff today
