RESEARCH
Biophilia and Qi Experience in Horticultural Therapy
Summary
This study explored how people’s mental and emotional well-being is affected by experiences in natural environments, particularly through horticultural therapy. Researchers used ideas from both Western psychology (like stress recovery and attention restoration) and Eastern philosophy (like Qi, or natural energy) to create a new framework for understanding how nature-based settings help people feel better. They developed a scale called the “Perceived Human-Nature Interaction Scale” to measure how people perceive their connection to nature and how that affects their emotions and health. The study looked at natural design features like plant shapes, garden forms, and sensory experiences, and how they support feelings of relaxation, comfort, and health in urban environments.
The results showed that people feel more emotionally positive, focused, and mentally restored in green spaces that are thoughtfully designed using natural shapes and materials. Features like flowing water, natural curves, plants, and varied textures created a stronger sense of connection to nature, helping reduce stress and increase feelings of well-being. The findings suggest that bringing elements of nature into cities through biophilic design and horticultural therapy can play an important role in supporting mental health, especially for people living in dense urban areas.
