Landscaping for health is a particularly crucial consideration for medical facilities like hospitals, nursing homes, assisted living campuses, and psychiatric care services. However, any business property can benefit from happy customers and healthy employees. A qualified exterior maintenance company specializing in commercial landscaping can design a greenery plan that bolsters your patients’ or team’s well-being in the following ways.
Reduces Stress
Stress is often the root cause of other symptoms, such as depression, anxiety, insomnia, headaches, and menstrual irregularity, to name a few. It also increases the risk of heart disease, diabetes, cancer, and possibly dementia. Stepping outside to be surrounded by trees, shrubs, flowers, and natural features, even for ten minutes, calms the mind, slows the heart rate down, and deepens breathing. Greenery reduces stress by creating a positive, serene environment that lowers cortisol levels in the blood.
Bolsters The Immune System
A secondary effect of reduced stress, a fortified immune system allows patients, residents and employees to continue healing and working productively without risk of illness. Stress is often a cause of contracted sicknesses like the common cold, the flu, and pneumonia, which can be deadly for elderly and immuno-compromised individuals. A property with well-manicured lawns and pristine gardens encourages people to go outside, take a break and get some exercise — all of which help prevent further stress and immune issues.
Creates Seclusion
Western medicine doesn’t have to rely on prescription drugs or surgery to accomplish certain health goals. In fact, many studies have proven the direct correlation between time spent outdoors in nature and improved health. Landscaping that proves a sound barrier to noise pollution and a visual wall for privacy can create a secluded effect. Long-term care residents of medical facilities may benefit from some distance from the hustle and bustle of the city. Those in recovery from addiction can find safe space from the people, environments and other external stressors that got them there in the first place. Employees and students are generally happier, more productive and more focused when secluded in a beautiful natural area.
Enhances Air Quality
During the biological process of respiration, the human body takes in oxygen and releases carbon dioxide into the air. In contrast, plants create energy through photosynthesis, a process that absorbs carbon dioxide and releases pure oxygen. Unfortunately, the atmosphere is becoming more and more saturated with carbon dioxide due to various forms of pollution. However, incorporating greenery around your commercial property can increase oxygen and decrease carbon dioxide levels in the immediate area. Improved air quality prevents diseases relating to the cardiovascular and respiratory systems, such as stroke, heart disease, lung cancer, bronchitis and asthma.
Promotes Mental Health
Many patients in long-term care facilities or recovering from traumatic injuries are physically unable to make the trip out to the closest nature oasis. Imagine being stuck indoors for months on end, subjected to the same mundane view and emotionally draining artificial lighting, unable to travel to see family and friends while suffering from a potentially life-threatening illness. In the same vein, employees who must work indoors in dim, fluorescent lighting for hours every day won’t feel human again until they get some outside time. Too much time spent indoors makes us feel depressed, anxious, irritable and unable to sleep.
Commercial landscaping not only encourages folks to go outside, but the colorful flowers, fresh air and vibrant scenery are enough to reinvigorate the soul. Connection to nature increases optimism, prevents depression, fosters mindfulness and spirituality, and uplifts a positive mood — all of which are requisite for recovery in patients and a sense of fulfillment in workers.
A Commitment To Health Starts With Plants
Commercial landscaping isn’t just for artistic show. Aside from attracting customers and presenting your brand well, it can also provide the highly practical benefit of improving health. When immersed in nature, patients recover faster, customers report positive impressions of a locale, and employees become more productive. Ultimately, your investment in professional exterior services is a commitment to the health of those your business serves and sustains.
