I attended a continuing education seminar at the University of Minnesota on Urban Ecosystems and Human Well-being this January. The research showed that we need habitat to be healthy socially, emotionally and physically. Frances Kuo focused her research on the need for trees and other landscape elements in our lives. Her research indicated the need to see nature out our windows, hear nature around us, and have nature be a part of the physical place we call home. This might be a yard, a window box, a patio with container gardens, or plants in the house. It can even be helpful to have pictures of nature around you.
The sound of nature is an important element in our well-being, as well. Children with sensor y issues are prescribed birdsong therapy. The birdsong CDs’ attune their hearing development to the uniquely high pitches. The sound of trickling water, rustling leaves, and crickets are sounds known to soothe and initiate relaxation. You might want to put your earbuds away the next time you are outside.
The social breakdown is evidenced in less courtesy, less supervision of children, more graffiti, more noise, crime, and increased aggression and mental fatigue. Psychological breakdowns include diminished attention and impulse control, less satisfaction with life and work, and more ADHD. Physically we can break down with longer recovery times from surgery, less self-reporting of being physically healthy, higher mortality in older adults, and higher rates of obesity in children.
Make sure your immediate environment is giving you a healthy dose of vitamin G.
Liisa Schmitt
Liisa Schmitt Landscape Design, LLC
