Therapy Garden

”Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity”– (WHO)

Therapy gardens is used as an umbrella term for gardens where people achieve a relief or treatment of their disease by virtue of stays in the garden and with interactions concerning garden therapy. It is essential to concentrate the attention to the fact, that not all gardens works as therapeutic spaces. Research shows that people highly experiences and understand their surroundings from how their mental state is. A thing that we not react considerably on, are a very abstract idiom, which can be perceived as dramatically negative, when being psychological exhausted and weak. In therapeutic gardens you will experience working with three main things. (LIFE 2010)

The sensuous experience, where the focus relies on the sense impression from the surroundings. Garden activities as planting, sowing, taking care of plants and harvesting Using mindfulness to enhance natures ability to create relaxing environment.

On the following pages the report presents the essential values, which have been a consideration when designing the therapy garden.

Spatial A place that offers the entrance to another world, away from disturbances

Nature the experience of wild, growing, unaffected nature • Continuous • Different scales

• Few people • No urban elements • Wild nature

Peaceful A calm space, which offers seclusion from the surroundings. • Safety • Peace • Visual stimulating

Rich in species A space that offers a big variation of species in plants and animals • Natural • Plants • Animals

Open wide The experience of a huge landscape with extensive views • Views • Controlled • Activities