Garden health and well being with Heidi Heiland

GOLDEN VALLEY, Minn.-- Heidi Heiland of Heidi's Lifestyle Gardens explores the connection between nature and health with some inspiring facts and adaptive tools for everyone as we head into spring.

Many of us may have come to appreciate nature as a tonic. We feel good spending time in nature because it can relieve stress and even sharpen our mental skills. Now there is scientific evidence to prove it!

In the past five years, researchers have been tracking the positive effects we receive from exposure to a common bacteria found in soil.

'M. Vaccae', (pronounced "emm vah-kay"), is a bacterium not pathogenic to humans, but it will stimulate serotonin sensitivity in certain parts of the brain. This could be one reason why gardening makes us happy!

Horticultural Therapy (HT) is both a time-proven practice and an emerging profession. The curative effects of spending time in a peaceful garden have been documented for centuries. Today, Horticultural Therapists are trained to professionally conduct garden-related activities designed to achieve specific treatment goals with measurable outcomes. Participants who can benefit include everyone from children, to the elderly, to those who may be developmentally delayed, or suffering from a traumatic brain injury.

Goals address social, spiritual, physical and emotional well-being, as well as enhancing general health and wellness. Examples of detailed goals include:

• Increase mobility
• Improve fine and gross motor skills
• Stimulate memory
• Expand concentration
• Decrease isolation
• Help overcome a sense of loss

Outcomes include increasing learning abilities, gaining confidence, learning patience,
reducing stress, providing a distraction from pain, and providing meaningful work in a way that is life affirming.

Accessible and appealing gardens:
Color, fragrance, and texture are all stimulating and therapeutic. Some tips:

• Position your plants so that they are easily accessible.
• Plants or flowers with your favorite scent are best enjoyed when they are closest to you.
• Consider raised beds or containers for their portability.
• Herbs can be a lasting fragrance throughout the growing season. Thyme, creeping thyme or oregano are all lasting choices.

Adapting garden tools to specific abilities is an easy way to remove any barriers that may get in the way of gardening for anyone. Some of your favorite tools can be easily modified for your needs. Or you can purchase adaptive tools from a variety of resources. More information about these tools and places to purchase them include:

• Ergonomic tools for anyone with reduced grip strength:
http://www.peta-uk.com/

• Garden tools with extended handles:
http://www2.fiskars.com/Products/Yard-and-Garden

Agribility Project - Providing information and resources to the disabled in agriculture
• http://fyi.uwex.edu/agrability/at/#technologyextras

 

 

For more information about Horticultural Therapy, visit the American Horticultural Therapy Association at:

http://www.ahta.org/content.cfm?id=history

For more information about Heidi's Lifestyle Gardens, visit:

 

 

www.HeidisLifestyleGardens.com

 

 

 

 

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