Date of the last update: 11.09.2024
What if we told you that you have access to easy and free therapeutic methods at your fingertips? Yes, we are talking about plant therapy. At home, in the office or in the garden, you can find countless opportunities to improve your mental and physical health, just by interacting with plants. With this method, you can reduce stress and work on supporting your mental health. We encourage you to take a closer look at how you can use the potential of plants to improve your quality of life.
Table of contents:
- What is plant therapy
- What are the benefits of plant therapy
- How to become a plant therapy specialist
- Summary
You can read this article in 4 minutes.
What is plant therapy?
It is worth noticing that we are surrounded by plants. They can be found in all the places where people are present. For example, in shopping centres or dental offices. This is not an accident. The benefits of being surrounded by plants were studied and brought forth positive results. Plant therapy is based on the use of plants to improve the wellbeing and atmosphere of the surroundings.
At home
Potted plants can be placed in various rooms, providing not only decoration but above all improving air quality and reducing stress.
Check out also: Thriving in your own Green Oasis
In the office
Plants placed on desks or in communal spaces can increase creativity, concentration and reduce stress levels in employees.
Explore more: Ecology in the company – how to create the company’s green image?
In therapy room
Plants can create a welcoming and relaxing environment that is conducive to the therapeutic process. Plant therapy in any of these contexts involves the regular care of plants and the conscious use of their positive effects on the environment.
What are the benefits of plant therapy?
Plant therapy, also known as plant therapy, is a powerful ecotherapeutic tool, benefiting both the individual and the environment. Here are some of the benefits of plant therapy:
- Reduction of stress and anxiety – contact and working with plants has a soothing effect on the nervous system. It removes stress, anxiety and tension.
- Trigger endorphins – activities such as planting, watering and caring for plants can improve your mood.
- Improves focus and concentration, which are essential both during plant care and during the therapeutic process.
- Stimulating creativity – Designing a home greenery corner as part of plant therapy engages patients’ creativity. As a result, they develop their imagination and cope better with everyday problems.
- Building trust and relationships at the patient-therapist level, which are essential for the success of the therapeutic process.
- Expressing emotions – working with plants can provide a unique way to express feelings, especially for those who have difficulty expressing them in words.
- Restoring calm and balance – contact and work with plants helps to restore peace and emotional balance and teaches patience especially if we are struggling with some difficulty in life.
It is important to emphasise that plant therapy is one of the natural methods to support the healing and recovery process. Especially for people who are struggling with illness, depression or have gone through some kind of trauma.
How to become a plant therapy specialist?
To become a plant therapy specialist, you should take the following steps:
- Education and qualifications – a relevant education and qualification in occupational therapy, psychology, horticulture or horticultural therapy is the basis for being a plant therapist.
- Practical experience – working in places where plant therapy is an everyday occurrence, e.g. therapeutic gardens, rehabilitation centres or offices offering plant therapy are places where you can learn the key skills to be a specialist.
- Specialised training – it is worth attending training courses and courses related to plant therapy offered by educational institutions, professional associations or specialists in the field.
- Certifications and accreditations – obtaining a certification increases not only the qualifications but, above all, the credibility of the therapist concerned.
- Continuous improvement – as in any field, it is also advisable to continuously develop your skills by attending events such as workshops, conferences and training courses related to plant therapy.
- Networking – it is worth networking and gaining knowledge and experience from the best professionals working as plant therapists.
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Summary
Plant therapy offers numerous mental and physical health benefits through interaction with plants in a variety of environments, such as the home, office or the therapy room. The benefits of plant therapy include reducing stress and anxiety, improving mood, concentration and creativity, as well as building trust and relationships and expressing emotions. Plant therapy contributes significantly to the restoration of calm and balance and provides support for healing and recovery from illness or trauma.
In order to become a plant therapy specialist, it is necessary to acquire the relevant education, professional practice, attend training courses and continuously improve your skills. It is also worth remembering to build up a network of contacts with other specialists in the field in order to acquire key skills to effectively support patients in their therapeutic process.
