Breathing in Life: Why Healthcare Facilities Should Have Beautiful Gardens

Apart from an experienced staff of healthcare professionals and the latest equipment, the best investment you can give your hospital or clinic is a garden. According to a 2012 study on the effect of a healthcare facility’s physical environment on patients, clients who had a view of nature (trees, shrubs, lawns, etc…) took fewer pain killers, stayed shorter after an operation, and had better comments about their time in the hospital compared to those who had a view facing brick or concrete walls.

In fact, the mere view of a natural landscape even from a television screen may help improve the wellbeing of a patient. So why is nature so powerful at healing people?

Natural Love

When discussing how nature heals people, the 1984 book called “Biophilia” is often cited by experts. It stated that all humans subconsciously want to interact with other organisms. This may be the reason that, apart from the cleaner air, people often head for beaches and forests during vacations or retreats. There were over seven million new campers from 2014 to 2017, according to a recent report by the Kampgrounds of America. Most of them cited their “love for the outdoors” as a reason for their increased camping activity. And this affection for nature may come with benefits to one’s wellbeing and overall health.

A Healthier Perception

Trees, especially in urban areas may help people feel healthier, a 2015 study from the Scientific Reports journal stated. It cited studies that concluded that urban gardens may reduce blood pressure and stress. The physical activity related to walking around or working on a garden may also be good for your cardiovascular system. The researchers expanded on these claims by studying the health records of over 30,000 people in Toronto, which included the patient’s perception of their own health. They tried to link this to the number of public trees or greenspaces near the residents’ homes or workplaces. They found that people who live in areas with at least 10 trees felt significantly healthier than those who were mostly surrounded by buildings.

A Fresher Environment

As to why people may feel healthier when they’re in or near nature, a Japanese study on “forest bathing” or seeking therapy from nature, found that plants release oils that are beneficial to your health. This oil is called “phytoncide.” Apart from making the forest’s atmosphere feel fresher, the study concluded that it reduces the production of cortisol. Cortisol, also known as the stress hormone, is linked to the development of anxiety, depression, sleep problems, and heart disease. As such, having a well-kept square garden planter with a variety of flowers and shrubs on your clinic’s yard may help keep your patients and employees calm and healthy during their stay or shift.

Your clinic’s garden provides a positive distraction for your patients and employees. Not only does it fulfill their need to retreat to nature, but it also comes with a host of mental and physical health benefits. And while you may have to spend the clinic’s funds on landscape architecture and maintenance, it’s all worth it when your clients feel healthier and more satisfied in your care.

Elegant and Durable Planters for Your Clinic

If you want to blend your garden seamlessly with the rest of your clinic’s architecture, use planters to segment your greenery. They make it easy to arrange your landscape’s design so that patients have a good view of your greenery. PolyStone Planters has a wide variety of stylish garden planters to choose from, from tall columns to low square designs. Our planters are lightweight yet durable, so you can move them around without a hitch. They’re mold-resistant and UV-protected, too, so they’re guaranteed to last for decades.