QAlmost a true form of meditation, the benefits of caring for greenery are many. In short, gardening, in the garden or even on the balcony, is not a simple pastime, on the contrary. The first? It helps rediscover calm and a psycho-physical balance which can sometimes falter. Not surprisingly, thehorticultural therapy is becoming increasingly popular, thanks to the involvement of the five senses.
Benefits in green care: the vegetable garden as a therapeutic form
In the first half of the twentieth century it was called horticultural therapy and it was a way for the patients of some English and American hospitals to focus on something else, taking care of the plants. What is called horticultural therapy today is still a lot used above all in people with neurodegenerative disorders precisely because it helps to stimulate the senses. In fact, not only does it involve patients emotionally, but it also stimulates their curiosity and them helps fight anxiety and depression.
Patience, trust and even a capacity for resilience are indeed some of the gifts developed by people when caring for plants. Also take care of nature, from the flowers on the balcony to the vegetable garden very positive effects on the physique: blood circulation is stimulated, sunlight gives a good mood and stimulates the endocrines, consequently lowering cortisone. Furthermore, the heartbeat slows down and, in general, the whole body does it as well as the mind which calms down. In fact, we focus on the here and now, just like during meditation, stimulating concentration and attention. In addition to being an incredible sensory experience.
Flowers and plants stimulate the senses
An involvement, the sensory one, also highlighted by the Interflora experts: «Growing plants and flowers fully stimulates our senses, arousing pleasant sensations involving body and mind» they explain.
Starting from the touch, how many times have we experienced a sensation of pleasure by touching the velvety petal of a rose or the surface of a fleshy leaf? «The leaves of the plants usually have a pleasant texturesome very shiny and some a little hairy, are a pleasure to pet. When you take care of plants by cleaning their leaves, you can stop for a second to touch them, focusing on the positive sensations transmitted» suggest from Interflora.
Sight, smell and hearing: sensory plants
Not only touch, but also the other senses are greatly stimulated. Obviously the most solicited is the sense of smell. Powerful because it refers to an infinite number of memories, emotions and sensations, smelling a flower or even a plant can awaken a forgotten part. But not only. In a very practical way, «green not only perfumes the air but above all makes it cleaner, even at home. In fact, air conditioning systems, household appliances, furniture emit harmful substances that create the so-called domestic pollution». Added to this is the atmosphere that enters the house every time the window is opened.
«Some plants, such as the fern, pothos and sansevieria help clean up the air in the house, purifying it. Others, on the other hand, reduce noise pollution, such as the ficus Benjamin» continue the experts. In fact, having many plants on the balcony or in the garden helps to attenuate external noises so as not to suffer chaos and also enjoy a little silence. The ficus for example not only purify the air, specifically the ficus up to 12 micrograms per hour, but also muffles annoying noises.
Of course, we must not forget the view: «A bouquet of colorful flowers immediately brings a good mood into the house. Not forgetting that green is already in itself a color that gives calm, balance and positivity» I conclude from Interflora.
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