Time outdoors helps people with learning disabilities
‘Thrive’ is a British organisation whose motto is “Using gardening to change lives”. They research ‘social and therapeutic horticulture’ in association with the Centre for Child and Family Research at Loughborough University in Leicestershire.
Their recent findings have been fascinating because they show that social and therapeutic horticulture is very useful in helping many different kinds of vulnerable people who have problems such as learning difficulties, physical disabilities or mental health problems. Horticulture is defined as ‘the art and science of cultivating gardens’.
The proven benefits of social and therapeutic horticulture range from being provided with the opportunity for social contact that people would otherwise not have due to social isolation, the opportunity to be productive and creative, and to take part in activities that require planning, organising, and carrying out coordinated actions with others.
It gives people the opportunity to learn what it is to have a goal and purpose, the value and pleasure of having a routine, and the benefit of structured activities, all of which may be new experiences. Being able to engage in behaviour that is meaningful is one of the best outcomes for the participants, and it also gives them a recognisable status, such as ‘gardener’ or ‘worker’. All of these positive experiences led to increased self-esteem, self-confidence, and wellbeing for the participants whatever their particular disability.
Gardens are now being used throughout Britain for these wonderful therapeutic benefits, for a wide range of clients. The resulting increased social interaction, skill development, and general well-being have been a real boon for everyone involved. We can learn from their studies and apply this in our own lives; we need not enrol our family members or ourselves in an official therapeutic gardening group to reap the same reward, nor do we need to have specific disabilities.
I bet gardening is good for stress and depression, too. There are many opportunities for community gardens through your local councils, but if there are none in your area and you have space around your unit or home, consider planting one of your own. The many benefits will be wonderful, in addition to any flowers or food you may grow.
“Nature Deficit Disorder” is a new term describing the modern person’s lack of a relationship to the environment. Many psychologists believe that being without that relationship to nature, animals and the earth hurts our children, our families, our communities, and ourselves. No wonder working with the soil and seeing things grow can help people with disabilities and mental health problems; it reconnects them to God’s creation in a most practical way. The cure for modern alienation is right here in our own gardens.
Another study, this one conducted at the University of Illinois, showed that children diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) had better attention spans after a 20-minute walk in a park than after a similar walk in a CBD or ordinary suburban neighbourhood. These children also had fewer symptoms after weekend or after-school activities in green outdoor settings including parks, farms, or green backyards compared to any other settings.
The scientific analysis was based on the parents’ feedback on their children’s behaviour in the hour after the activity, concentrating on: the ability to focus on unappealing tasks, ability to complete tasks, ability to listen and follow directions, and ability to resist distractions. The investigators feel that it was important to note that it was “green” areas were more effective than other outdoor areas in reducing symptoms, because that means it was not merely being outside and free to play, or the fresh air that was important, but the natural setting itself.
These studies seem to suggest that spending time outside is a balm to our spirits, and good for us in many ways. I suggest we put their findings to use in as many ways as we can think of. Watch less television, and spend less time in front of computers.
Go for family walks in local or national parks, get a guidebook and try to identify your local birds, plan more family outings into nature such as camping or picnics, plant a vegetable or herb garden in your backyard, at your child’s school, or take part as a family in an urban community garden plot. These are wonderful ways to be in, and to learn about, nature, and to help everyone in your family improve their mental and physical health.
References: http://communitygarden.org.au/, http://www.education.com/facts/quickfacts-ndd/being-outside-help-attention-deficit/, http://www.education.com/reference/article/walk-park-improves-ADHD/