Throughout history gardens have been used to aid in the healing process and with growing interest in complementary medicine, the gardens' capacity for healing mind, body and spirit has been renewed.
Research showing the benefits of beautiful natural settings and gardens include stress recovery, reduction of negative emotions, effectiveness holding attention/interest and lowering alpha rates which are associated with being wakefully relaxed.
Further research showed surgical patients with views of nature as oppose to urban scenes had shorter post-operative stays, fewer negative comments, took less pain medication, experienced fewer post-operative complications and had a more positive outlook for the future.
The focus of a healing garden is to inspire creativity, change, joy, contemplation and rejuvenation. Gardens that draw you in to sit, stretch, breathe, read, paint, play an instrument, or simply allow yourself to do nothing but watch the clouds go by.
Sensory stimulus plantings using colour, texture and scent. Plantings that attract birds and butterflies right into the garden. And a harmonious layout providing a few seating options and shelter from which to observe life in the garden.