If you love plants, love to walk in the woods, or even work in your garden then you know how it feels to relax when surrounded by nature. In recent years, there has been increasing attention on how stress, anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues in our daily lives can negatively impact our health.
When the Khoo Teck Puat Hospital in Singapore asked a local design firm to create a hospital that would help lower the blood pressure of their patients, they were surprised by the outcome. The firm chose over 700 native species of fragrant plants and trees to be integrated into the structure and its surroundings. This forest hospital has become a sanctuary for patients and staff alike, helping to ease the stress of being inside the hospital. (4)
Nature and Stress
The concept of “nature therapy” has gained much recognition in recent years. According to a study published in “Frontiers in Psychology,” nature therapy is a method that uses medically proven methods such as relaxation to expose people to natural stimuli from forests, urban green spaces, plants, and natural wooden materials to promote health. (1)
The US Environmental Protection Agency reports the average American is estimated to spend 90% of their time indoors causing an increased risk of mental and physical ailments.
Richard Louv, a journalist in San Diego, is largely credited with coining the term Nature Deficit Disorder to describe the results of spending too much time indoors. Children especially are affected by this lack of fresh air and the calming effects of nature.
As far back as 1984, American clinical psychologist Craig Brod coined the term “technostress” to describe the impact of artificial elements like electronics and other forms of technology have on the exacerbation of our stress levels.
A growing body of research — combined with an understanding that nature is vital and increased concerns about the exploding use of smartphones and other forms of technology — has led to a tipping point at which health experts, researchers, and government officials are now proposing widespread changes aimed at bringing nature into people’s everyday lives. (2)
Forest Walking
Famous studies coming out of Japan have long supported the benefits of “forest walking” also known as “Shinrin-yoku.” This is the practice of spending time in forested areas to enhance health, wellness, and happiness. Forest walking is also known to decrease stress hormones while reducing symptoms of anger, depression, anxiety, and the risk of hypertension. (3)
The hospital in Singapore, which opened in 2010, incorporates a volunteer-run rooftop garden with more than 100 species of fruit trees, 50 species of vegetables, and 50 species of herbs, all of which are served to the patients. They also found the success of the hospital’s natural ecosystem has increased the number of butterfly species sighted on the hospital grounds. (4)
Urban green space, plant therapy, nature therapy, no matter what we call it, have proven to promote relaxation from stress through consistent exposure to nature while leading to increased mental and physical health. Hopefully, this model hospital in Singapore will start to spread throughout the world.
