RESEARCH

Gardening as a Therapeutic Tool for Healing Mental Health Issues Among Terminally Ill Patients: An Opinion Review

This opinion review suggests that gardening can be a valuable therapeutic tool for terminally ill patients, fostering emotional well-being and resilience. By engaging with nature, patients may experience reduced stress, improved mood, and a greater sense of purpose, while also finding space for existential reflection.

Program Types: Therapeutic, Social

Population Groups: Older Adults/Seniors, Mental Health Challenges/Trauma, Chronic/Acute Health Conditions, Grief/Loss, Caregivers/Healthcare Professionals

Setting or Context: Hospitals/Clinics, Residential Programs, Natural Areas/Parks/Forest, Homes/Private Residences

Health and Wellness Outcomes: Improved Mental Health, Enhanced Emotional Well-being, Greater Sense of Purpose, Enhanced Spiritual Health, Improved Stress Management, Sensory Stimulation

Allied Profession Intersections: Recreational Therapy, Nursing

Type of Activity: Outdoor Gardening, Mindfulness/Visualizations

Evidence Type: Case Studies

Measurement and Evaluation: Metrics for Mental Health, Patient-Reported Outcomes

Access: Free

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Summary

This opinion review explores the therapeutic potential of gardening for terminally ill patients, arguing it can foster emotional well-being, psychological resilience, and existential contemplation. The review uses clinical insights and literature to support its claims, highlighting the link between horticultural engagement, mindfulness, and the human connection to nature. Activities like tending to plants offer sensory stimulation, distract from pain, and facilitate emotional expression.

The review suggests that gardening promotes psychological resilience through cognitive and emotional engagement, enabling reflection on life’s meaning and impermanence. It also cultivates mindfulness by grounding individuals in the present and fostering autonomy and a sense of purpose. Case studies of hospice gardens illustrate how these spaces provide serenity and support, allowing for emotional expression and introspection.

Link

Kondaguli, S.V., Varghese, A., Rai, A., & Navalkar, A. (2023). Gardening as a therapeutic tool for healing mental health issues among terminally ill patients: An Opinion Review. International Journal of Health Sciences and Research, 13(12)

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