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Gardening is Good
TherapyMany of us garden just for the sheer joy of it. But did you know that
all over the country the healing aspects of gardening are being used as
therapy or as an adjunct to therapy?
Although this might sound like a new concept, garden therapy has been
around for decades. For example, the Garden Therapy Program at Central
State Hospital in Milledgeville, and in regional hospitals in Atlanta,
Augusta, Columbus, Rome, Thomasville and Savannah, has been helping
people for over 40 years through
gardening activities known as social and therapeutic horticulture.
So what exactly is social and therapeutic horticulture (or garden
therapy)
According to the article "Your future starts here: practitioners
determine the way ahead" from Growth Point (1999) volume 79, pages 4-5,
horticultural therapy is the use of plants by a trained professional as
a medium through which certain clinically defined goals may be met.
Therapeutic horticulture is the process by which individuals may
develop well-being using plans and horticulture. This is achieved by
active or passive involvement."
Although the physical benefits of garden therapy have not yet been fully
realized through research, the overall benefits are almost overwhelming.
For starters, gardening therapy programs result in increased elf-esteem
and self-confidence for all participants.
Social and therapeutic horticulture also develops social and work
skills, literacy and numeric skills, an increased sense of general
well-being and the opportunity for social interaction and the
development of independence.
In some instances it can
also lead to employment or further training or education. Obviously
different groups will achieve different results.
Groups recovering from major illness or injury, those with physical
disabilities, learning disabilities and mental health problems, older
people, offenders and those who misuse drugs or alcohol, can all benefit
from the therapeutic aspects of gardening as presented through specific
therapy related programs.
In most cases, those that experience the
biggest impact are vulnerable or socially excluded individuals or
groups, including the ill, the elderly, and those kept in secure
locations, such as hospitals or prisons.
One important benefit to using social and therapeutic horticulture is
that traditional forms of communication aren't always required. This is
particularly important for stroke
patients, car accident victims, those with cerebral palsy, aphasia or
other illnesses or accidents that hinder verbal communication.
Gardening
activities lend themselves easily to communicative disabled individuals.
This in turn builds teamwork, self-esteem and self-confidence, while
encouraging social interaction.
Another group that clearly benefits from social and therapeutic
horticulture are those that misuse alcohol or substances and those in
prison. Teaching horticulture not only
becomes a life skill for these individuals, but also develops a wide
range of additional benefits.
Social and therapeutic horticultures gives these individuals a chance to
participate in a meaningful activity, which produces food, in addition
to creating skills relating to responsibility, social skills and work
ethic.
The same is true for juvenile offenders. Gardening therapy, as
vocational horticulture curriculum, can be a tool to improve social
bonding in addition to developing improved attitudes about personal
success and a new awareness of personal job preparedness.
The mental benefits don't end there. Increased abilities in
decision-making and self-control are common themes reported by staff in
secure psychiatric hospitals.
Reports of increased confidence,
self-esteem and hope are also common in this environment.
Prison staff have also noticed that gardening therapy improves the
social interaction of the inmates, in addition to improving mutual
understanding between project staff and prisoners who shared outdoor
conditions of work.
It's interesting that studies in both hospitals and prisons consistently
list improving relationships between participants, integrating with the
community, life skills and ownership as being some of the real benefits
to participants.
But in addition to creating a myriad of emotional and social benefits,
the health benefits of being outdoors, breathing in fresh air and doing
physical work cannot be overlooked.
In most studies, participants noted
that fresh air, fitness and weight control where prime benefits that
couldn't be overlooked.
Although unable to pin down a solid reason, studies have shown that
human being posses an innate attraction to nature. What we do know, is
that being outdoors creates feelings of appreciation, tranquillity,
spirituality and peace.
So it would seem, that just being in a garden
setting is in itself restorative. Active gardening only heightens those
feelings.
With so many positive benefits to gardening, isn't it time you got
outside and started tending to your garden? Next time you are kneeling
in fresh dirt to pull weeds or plant a new variety of a vegetable or
flower, think about the tranquillity you feel while being outdoors in
your garden.
Let the act of gardening sooth and revitalize you. Soak up
the positive benefits of tending to your own garden.
If you have someone in your life that could benefit from garden therapy,
contact your local health unit to find out more about programs in your
area. Not only will the enjoyment of gardening help bond you together,
but it will also create numerous
positive mental and physical benefits for both of you.
So get gardening today for both your physical and mental health. You'll
enjoy the experience so much that you'll immediately thank yourself.
Author: Valerie Giles
About the author:
Valerie Giles operates the
Grow Your Own Garden Website which
focuses on gardening products and vegetable seeds, patio furniture and
garden accessories.
Everything you need for the gardening season.
http://www.grow-your-own-garden.com
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