Neuroscience For Designing Green Spaces

Five years ago, my late father was in hospital for over a month following a severe stroke. After visiting him I used to head down the corridor to a cafe which was adjacent to a lovely garden (although the remainder the campus was far more grey than green!) which I found be an invaluable space for quiet contemplation and recharging myself prior to heading back out into the world to recommence my working day. More recently I found the carefully designed and well-maintained planting at another hospital site both distracted me and lowered my anxiety levels as I headed towards my appointment for a radical prostatectomy. I am sure everyone can recount similar stories of how contact with the natural world has helped fortify their mental health during times of challenge and stress. There is undoubtedly still huge potential to transform currently under-used, and in many cases over manicured outside spaces, at healthcare sites, into 'Healing Landscapes'. Earlier this year I wrote an article summarising the contents of 'Neuroscience For Designing Green Spaces' by Agnieszka Olszewska-Guizzo for the online journal of The Design in Mental Health  Network. This book, drawing on research carried out by the author and others, outlines which particular elements of a 'Contemplative Landscape' are considered have the greatest cognitive benefits. This is something which is of enormous value when planning and designing 'Well-Being' spaces for both patients and staff, particularly in the context of any spatial or budgetary constraints. The article can be found here: The Network February 2024 :: 22.