Mutual Well-Being

Benefits of Nature-Human Relationships

• “A human being is part of a whole, called by us the Universe, a part limited in time and space. He experiences himself, his thoughts and feelings, as something separated from the rest… a kind of optical delusion of his consciousness. This delusion is a kind of prison for us, restricting us to our personal desires and to affection for a few persons nearest to us. Our task must be to free ourselves from this prison by widening our circle of compassion to embrace all living creatures and the whole of nature in its beauty.” - Albert Einstein

Horticultural Therapy’s Roots - 1100’s: Hospice gardens at monastery in

Clairvaux, France. - 1812: Medical Inquiries and Observations Upon

Diseases of the Mind - Dr. Benjamin Rush. - “digging in a garden” distinguished patients

who recovered from their mania from those that did not (Rush, 1812 p.226)

- 1879: Friend’s Asylum for the Insane included greenhouse work as therapeutic program.

- 1950s: Success of Horticultural therapy in Veteran Hospitals leads to academic establishment for Psychiatric students.

Today:

How It Works:

Hope: “Anticipation of a future which is good and which is based upon mutuality, a sense of personal competence, coping ability, purpose and meaning in life, as well as a sense of “the possible”.’ –J.F. Miller Coping with Chronic Illness

Cognitive Benefits

• Attention Restoration Theory

Physical Health• People “… living more

than 1 km away from the nearest green space report poorer health and health-related quality of life … than respondents living closer.” (Stigsdotter UK et al. 2010

• Lower blood pressure/ pulse rate

• Reduce cortisol level• Sympathetic nervous

activity • Para- sympathetic

nervous activity

Nutrition Psychopathology

• Vitamin D deficiency and Schizophrenia• Tryptophan and Serotonin• Pesticides and Parkinson's– Mitochondria toxicity