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