#healingthroughnature — Public Fediverse posts

‘The nourishing soil of the soul’: The role of #HorticulturalTherapy in promoting well-being in community-dwelling people with #dementia

#Gardening can help people with dementia feel more active, connected, and less lonely by improving their physical and mental well-being. The article highlights the need for more #Accessible gardening programs in the community to support social engagement and a better quality of life.

Summary:

"This article explores how gardening and nature-based activities can improve the well-being of people living with dementia, especially those in a long-term care community. Many individuals with dementia experience loneliness and a decline in their ability to engage in daily activities. Gardening offers a way to stay active, connect with nature, and interact with others. Which can help reduce stress, boost mood, and improve both physical and mental health. Despite strong evidence of its benefits in care homes, horticultural therapy is not widely used in community settings.

The authors highlight the need for more opportunities for people with dementia to engage in gardening, as it can promote social connections and a sense of purpose. They argue that making gardens accessible and integrating horticultural therapy into community care programs could significantly improve quality of life. By encouraging outdoor activities, people with dementia may feel more included, confident, and independent in their daily lives."

Source:
https://rootinnature.ca/research/the-nourishing-soil-of-the-soul-the-role-of-horticultural-therapy-in-promoting-well-being-in-community-dwelling-people-with-dementia/

Article [academic paywall]:
https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/1471301215623889

#SolarPunkSunday #HealingThroughNature #SpendTimeInNature #CommunityLiving #AccessibleGardens #AccessibleGreenSpaces #LivingWithDementia #SpendTimeOutdoors

Green solutions for crisis: how #UrbanGreenSpaces enhance #CommunityHealth

Yuliang Wang, et al.
06 May 2026

"Urban green spaces (#UGS) are vital for public health, especially during crises like the pandemic. While previous studies have explored the link between UGS utilisation and health, the complex interactions between UGS access, demographic factors, and health behaviours remain underexamined, particularly in Northwest China, where UGS are extremely shortage. This study, conducted in NW China’s core city - #Lanzhou, investigates how the pandemic influenced public engagement with UGS and its subsequent effects on public well-being in three #parks. We found that the pandemic spurred increased park visits, reflecting a heightened awareness of their health benefits, yet also exposed access inequalities, especially among those reliant on motor vehicles, and that proximity, commuting methods, and urban infrastructure significantly impact park usage, with frequent and prolonged visits correlating with improved health outcomes and higher willingness to pay (WTP) for parks, especially among younger, educated, and longtime locals. Conversely, increased travel time discourages engagement with UGS, highlighting the need for #AccessibleGreenSpaces. Notably, landscape characteristics like cohesion and patch density play a critical role in health benefits, with cohesive landscapes supporting more significant health improvements. Interestingly, even those with unhealthy habits, such as smoking and drinking, report substantial benefits from park use, suggesting the #RestorativePowerOfNature. To enhance UGS accessibility and maximise health benefits, urban planners should focus on creating #PedestrianFriendly environments, improving #PublicTransportation links, and incorporating health-promoting features in park designs. The findings call for urban planners to focus on enhancing #accessibility, #connectivity, and diversity in park designs, tailored to the unique needs of urban populations, making parks more #inclusive and #resilient spaces for all urban residents. This study provides critical insights into the role of urban parks during crises, offering guidance for #UrbanPlanning and public health strategies in similar urban settings."

Learn more:
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41599-026-07437-z?fromPaywallRec=false

#SolarPunkSunday #MoreParks #MoreGreenSpace #Microclimates #GreenInfrastructure #OpenAccess #OpenAccessJournals #LivableCities #BuildingCommunity #China #GreenerCities #HealingThroughNature #SpendTimeInNature