Many products and pastimes without medications can be associated with health, wellbeing, and healing, which most people would consider as alternative therapies. Examples would be the use of pets, art and cooking as therapeutic activities and we can also add into that mix, landscaping.
Whilst landscaping, and the others were have mentioned, might not be the first items your doctor prescribes for you if you are suffering from some kind of ailment, nevertheless, countless examples and case studies show that all of these have offered those who use them, benefits for both their physical and mental wellbeing.
If we focus on landscaping, one of the specific ways in which it can contribute to your well-being is when you have a healing garden created. Given the complexities, planning and implementation work necessary for landscaped gardens, in most cases, they will be created by professional landscaping experts.
However, given that you would have lots of input (after all it is going to be your garden) you can request that your landscaping company include a healing garden within the plans, or go even further, and make your entire landscaped garden a healing garden. Wondering what a healing garden is? Well, read on and we will explain all.
What Is A Healing Garden?
Let us put to bed one misconception and that is a healing garden is not one where you simply grow lots of herbal and plant-based medicines. You could certainly grow them, but they are not the only feature that normally falls under the definition of a healing garden. In truth, the definition is a lot simpler which is a healing garden provides the setting, the ambience, and the surroundings that promote a sense and feeling of peacefulness, relaxation, and harmony.
It is well-known within the medical profession and beyond, that when a person is relaxed, feeling calm, and has few matters on their mind which are stressful, both their mental and their physical health are boosted. So, by mirroring those very objectives within your landscaping design, you can benefit the well-being of anyone who is in your garden, and that includes yourself.
How To Create A Healing Garden
If you will excuse the pun, there is no prescriptive way of creating a healing garden. In other words, it is not a project where you have to stick rigidly to a set of rules and stipulations, however, there are some general guidelines as to what you should include to gain the most healing effects within your garden. Some of these are outlined below.
- Include Plants And Features That Trigger All Your Senses – This includes sight, smell, touch, and sound. If you grow fruit or vegetables, add taste too
- Create A Water Feature – This will provide both visual and aural stimulation
- Encourage Wildlife To Visit – Allowing birds, insects, and other creatures to share your garden will boost your moods
- Have A Focal Point – This can be anything of your choosing which pleases you
- Have Multiple Spots Where You Can Sit, View Your Garden, And Relax – There is nothing better than being relaxed to boost your wellbeing
In Conclusion
Do not worry if you are unsure how to include any of these in your landscaping design. Speak to professional landscaping designers and they will have lots of ideas on how to ensure all your healing garden features are included. Better still, they will help plan, build and complete your landscaping design and the healing garden it produces.