Nature’s Healing Powers in Healthcare Design
Nature’s Healing Powers in Healthcare Design
February 20, 2014 by Taylor Studios
Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago
Nature is magical. Especially when it comes to healing power. One way that I’ve realized the benefits of nature in my life is by incorporating a clean, unprocessed diet into my lifestyle. By doing so, I’ve drastically lowered my body fat percentage, and improved my blood pressure and cholesterol. Not by taking more medicine or pills, but by relying on nature and natural food to run it’s course.
Exposure to nature has its own benefits, and they’re impressive. The healing powers of nature are now being incorporated into healthcare design far more than ever before, and have both physiological and psychological benefits for patients. Nature – whether outdoor healing gardens, indoor nature environments (simulated included), images of nature, or access to exterior windows, all prove to have a significant positive impact on patient healing. Incorporating nature into healing environments offers the potential to patients for lowered stress levels, improved blood pressure and heart rate, earlier release/shortened length of stay, less need for medication, and improved metal health.
Nature is even being prescribed as a healing tool with ecotherapy (also known as nature therapy or green therapy). From the simple act of taking walks outside, or taking up gardening, ecotherapy is popping up more and more in urban environments as a method for healing and maintaining mental health.
As hospitals adopt nature-based healing environments with new construction and renovation, unique and tranquil designs continue to emerge – particularly in children’s hospitals.
U of Rochester Golisano CH Lobby Rendering – Ballinger Architects
Nationwide Children’s Hospital_Nurses’ Station
How has nature helped you lately?