There are many benefits to both the caregiver and their loved one with Alzheimer’s disease when they take time to simply be surrounded by nature. The information in this post is adapted from the Feb & June 2011 studies of Health and Well-Being Benefits from Texas A & M University http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/faculty/hall/publications/JEH%2029%282%29%2096-103.pdf
These studies show that being surrounded by plants, flowers and nature has positive effects on an individual’s concentration and memory, reducing stress, improving energy, empathy and compassion, and having a positive effect on overall mental health.
“The calming influence of natural environments...increases a person’s abilities to concentrate on the task at hand. The influence of plants can increase memory retention up to twenty percent, stimulating the senses and improving mental cognition and performance."
“Natural aesthetic beauty is soothing to people, and keeping flowers in and around the home is an excellent way to lower levels of stress and anxiety. People who keep flowers in their home feel happier and more relaxed."
Gardening and landscaping activities are “an effective way to reduce levels of stress. Studies have shown that people who nurture plants and gardens have less mental distress than others. Gardening provides people with a positive way to channel their stress and frustration into something beautiful that provides them with comfort and joy. Part of the effects of gardening come from the satisfaction people get from nurturing and helping a living thing grow.
Plants and gardening soothe people because they help them turn their stressful feelings into something positive which gives them pleasure. By helping them transform their stress into a more positive emotion, gardening also gives people an excellent coping mechanism for their daily frustrations. Nurturing plants reduces stress levels and gives people a way to cope with their negative feelings.”
Studies have shown that “extended exposure to nature and wildlife increases people’s compassion for each other as it increases people’s compassion for the environment in which they live. In short, being around plants improves relationships between people and increases their concern and empathy toward others.
Spending time in nature gives people an increased feeling of vitality, increasing their energy levels and making them feel more animated. Their performance levels are, in turn, increased by this improved state of mind. Natural environments induce a positive outlook on life, making people feel more alive and active. Plants can help people to improve their performance at work and at home by increasing their perceived vitality and giving them more feelings of added energy.
People who spend more time outside in nature have a significantly more positive outlook on life than people who spend a great deal of time indoors. Living in naturalized settings increases people’s feelings of vitality and energy, and consequently has a large positive effect on their overall mental health.”
Think of ways you can help yourself and your loved one spend more time in nature, simply soaking up the beauty and healing energy from plants and flowers. Make sure your loved one can see a view of nature out their window, even if it is only a window box with flowers blooming there. Take walks in the park or anyplace that provides a beautiful natural setting. For example, if you have a garden, spend time sitting there together, enjoying the touch of the breeze and the sound of the birds singing.
If your loved one has the ability to garden, help her plant some flowers and/or vegetables. Studies show that “People who keep flowers in their home feel happier and more relaxed.” When it is time to pick the flowers, let her arrange them in a pretty container and set it in a special place, like the dining room table, and be sure to have everyone praise her for her efforts. Or when it’s time to harvest the vegetables, make sure everyone knows that Dad grew them himself, and praise how delicious they taste.
If you need a simpler way to garden, try an herb garden grown by your kitchen window. Again, be sure everyone praises how the delicious herbs she grew added to the flavor of the meal. She will feel she is making a significant contribution to the family and you will be pleased that together you found another way to share good times.
These studies show that being surrounded by plants, flowers and nature has positive effects on an individual’s concentration and memory, reducing stress, improving energy, empathy and compassion, and having a positive effect on overall mental health.
“The calming influence of natural environments...increases a person’s abilities to concentrate on the task at hand. The influence of plants can increase memory retention up to twenty percent, stimulating the senses and improving mental cognition and performance."
“Natural aesthetic beauty is soothing to people, and keeping flowers in and around the home is an excellent way to lower levels of stress and anxiety. People who keep flowers in their home feel happier and more relaxed."
Gardening and landscaping activities are “an effective way to reduce levels of stress. Studies have shown that people who nurture plants and gardens have less mental distress than others. Gardening provides people with a positive way to channel their stress and frustration into something beautiful that provides them with comfort and joy. Part of the effects of gardening come from the satisfaction people get from nurturing and helping a living thing grow.
Plants and gardening soothe people because they help them turn their stressful feelings into something positive which gives them pleasure. By helping them transform their stress into a more positive emotion, gardening also gives people an excellent coping mechanism for their daily frustrations. Nurturing plants reduces stress levels and gives people a way to cope with their negative feelings.”
Studies have shown that “extended exposure to nature and wildlife increases people’s compassion for each other as it increases people’s compassion for the environment in which they live. In short, being around plants improves relationships between people and increases their concern and empathy toward others.
Spending time in nature gives people an increased feeling of vitality, increasing their energy levels and making them feel more animated. Their performance levels are, in turn, increased by this improved state of mind. Natural environments induce a positive outlook on life, making people feel more alive and active. Plants can help people to improve their performance at work and at home by increasing their perceived vitality and giving them more feelings of added energy.
People who spend more time outside in nature have a significantly more positive outlook on life than people who spend a great deal of time indoors. Living in naturalized settings increases people’s feelings of vitality and energy, and consequently has a large positive effect on their overall mental health.”
Think of ways you can help yourself and your loved one spend more time in nature, simply soaking up the beauty and healing energy from plants and flowers. Make sure your loved one can see a view of nature out their window, even if it is only a window box with flowers blooming there. Take walks in the park or anyplace that provides a beautiful natural setting. For example, if you have a garden, spend time sitting there together, enjoying the touch of the breeze and the sound of the birds singing.
If your loved one has the ability to garden, help her plant some flowers and/or vegetables. Studies show that “People who keep flowers in their home feel happier and more relaxed.” When it is time to pick the flowers, let her arrange them in a pretty container and set it in a special place, like the dining room table, and be sure to have everyone praise her for her efforts. Or when it’s time to harvest the vegetables, make sure everyone knows that Dad grew them himself, and praise how delicious they taste.
If you need a simpler way to garden, try an herb garden grown by your kitchen window. Again, be sure everyone praises how the delicious herbs she grew added to the flavor of the meal. She will feel she is making a significant contribution to the family and you will be pleased that together you found another way to share good times.
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