Bandung, IndonesiaSentinel.com — Study suggest that green spaces in hospital contribute to the healing process of the patient. This connection between nature and healing has gained increasing importance in recent years, especially following the COVID-19 pandemic. Thus, highlighting the vital role of natural environments play in human well-being.
Numerous scientific studies have demonstrated the positive effects of green spaces, whether in workplaces, homes, or urban areas. This growing body of evidence underscores the need to incorporate nature into hospital designs, offering patients a crucial source of support as they face physical and mental health challenges.
While the idea of nature aiding recovery is gaining renewed attention, it is far from new. Many cultures throughout history have understood the link between green spaces and healing. From the Taoist Chinese, who designed gardens for health benefits, to the therapeutic gardens of European monasteries during the Middle Ages, the healing power of nature was widely accepted.
However, as technology advanced, the role of nature in medical settings diminished, and gardens in hospitals became less common. Today, with modern studies reaffirming the therapeutic benefits of nature, hospitals are reintroducing green spaces to enhance patient well-being.
Scientific Study Reveals
A groundbreaking study in 1984, led by environmental psychologist Roger Ulrich and published in Science magazine, marked the first time modern medical research rigorously demonstrated nature’s healing effects. Titled “View Through a Window May Influence Recovery from Surgery,” the study used strict experimental controls to show that simply looking at a garden could accelerate recovery from surgery and other illnesses.
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Ulrich and his team reviewed medical records of gallbladder surgery patients at a Pennsylvania hospital. Patients whose rooms had windows with views of trees recovered one day faster than those with views of a brick wall. Those with a nature view also required fewer painkillers and had fewer post-surgery complications.
In the decades since Ulrich’s pioneering research, further studies have bolstered his findings. A 2021 study published in the International Journal of Environment and Public Health found that viewing nature images not only reduces negative emotions like anxiety and sadness but also improves clinical outcomes, easing pain, shortness of breath, and fatigue.
Researchers suggest two primary reasons for nature’s healing effects: first, it diverts attention away from pain, and second, it stimulates the release of neurotransmitters that enhance well-being through the enjoyment of natural beauty.
While nature’s calming effects are well-documented, scientific research is essential in shaping hospital design choices. Beyond providing a pleasant view, landscaped areas can offer interactive, therapeutic benefits. “Healing gardens” in hospitals can foster a sense of independence, promote social interaction, encourage physical activity, and offer natural distractions, all of which can significantly aid the recovery process.
As hospital provide more green spaces, these natural elements are proving to be more than just aesthetic features, they are vital components of modern healthcare, helping patients heal both physically and mentally.
(Raidi/Agung)
