Research & Benefits
Cognitive/
Intellectual
- Improves self-esteem and reduces depression
- Improves sleep and cognitive issues in dementia patients
- Increases engagement and improves mood
- Restores attention in cancer patients
- Teaches new and satisfying horticultural skills and revisits previous experiences/knowledge
- Improves vocabulary and maintains communication
- Provides problem solving and intellectual stimulation
- Arouses a sense of curiosity
Physical
- Supports cardiovascular health
- Modifies progression of coronary heart disease by addressing associated anxiety and stress
- Boosts the absorption and retention of Vitamin D
- Engages both fine and gross motor movement to maintain and improve endurance, abilities and hand eye coordination
- Builds confidence and independence to continue acts of daily living which leads to a better quality of life
- Can aid in treatment of substance abuse
Emotional
- Protects and preserves mental health
- Helps to maintain a sense of purpose, confidence and worth
- Improves mood state and fosters emotional restoration
- Reduces stress
- Aids in the development of positive coping strategies
- Offers opportunities for pleasure and relaxation, as well as a sense of pride and success with projects
Social
- Reduces isolation by increasing social connections and interacting in a group setting
- Promotes a sense of inclusion and belonging
- Builds connections
- Promotes positive interactions with others who have similar interests
- Re-engages old hobbies and passions
Creative
- Prevents boredom and provides stimulation of sensory perceptions
- Stimulates creativity by engaging in creative exercises
- Fosters imagination
- Develops an appreciation of the rhythm of life
- Provides an outlet to express creativity
Spiritual
- Connect to past and personal history
- Generates meaning through engagement in purposeful activities
- Fosters gratitude
- Encourages positive future thoughts through vision boards, etc.
Sources: The Mental Health Commission of Canada, The Canadian Mental Health Association, The Lancet, The World Health Organization, “Recovering With Nature”: A Review of Ecotherapy and Implications for the COVID-19 Pandemic
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