{"id":3506,"date":"2013-04-17T10:00:02","date_gmt":"2013-04-17T10:00:02","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.newprocontainers.com\/blog\/?p=3506"},"modified":"2014-09-11T18:35:41","modified_gmt":"2014-09-11T18:35:41","slug":"major-medical-benefits-of-natural-environments","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/oldm2.newprocontainers.com\/blog\/major-medical-benefits-of-natural-environments\/","title":{"rendered":"Natural Environments Have Major Medical Benefits"},"content":{"rendered":"

It is well known that interior landscaping has many health benefits for employees. In addition to keeping healthy people well, interior landscaping can also help sick people recover.<\/p>\n

\u201cHealing gardens\u201d are becoming very popular at hospitals and assisted living facilities. These gardens can be found both indoors and out. They are designed with the intent of reducing patient stress and pain levels and ultimately aiding in the healing process.<\/p>\n

The Studies<\/h2>\n

\"\"<\/a>Scientific American<\/a>\u00a0published an article regarding the studies that have inspired healing gardens. The initial study was performed in 1984 by Roger Ulrich of Texas A&M. Ulrich discovered that patients who had views of trees from their windows required less pain medication and had fewer complications than patients who had only brick walls for a view. In 1993, Ulrich performed another study that concluded even pictures of nature scenes reduced anxiety and the need for pain medication among ICU patients. These studies combined with other significant surveys and studies have shown that exposure to nature reduces pain and stress for patients and reduces stress for facility employees and patient family members. Natural structures in places of healing and recovery offer numerous benefits to everyone involved. These healing gardens can be located outdoors, indoors, or even on rooftops. The main importance is to make them easily accessible to those who are recovering. Even small spaces of foliage where patients can regularly view them offer significant benefits.<\/p>\n

Water Features<\/h2>\n

Water can also be particularly helpful in soothing anxiety. However, in hospital settings it is important to keep the water feature safe. It is recommended to use impervious surfaces, low temperature lighting such as LEDs to keep water temperatures cooler, and rapid velocity delivery systems to keep water from becoming stagnate. These precautions help eliminate the spread of bacteria. Flowing water which mimic the sounds of a babbling brook or\u00a0gentle river are\u00a0among the most relaxing.<\/p>\n

Checklist for Healing Gardens<\/h2>\n

Scientific American<\/a>\u00a0offers a checklist based on research for healing gardens to make them effective in aiding patients. Some of the suggestions include:<\/p>\n