NATURE HEALS Heather Greeley Benson, Program Specialist - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

NATURE HEALS Heather Greeley Benson, Program Specialist Nature-Based Therapeutic Services

Nature Heals • Hea ealing b ben enef efits o of nature • Univ iversit ity of of Minneso sota’s s Na Nature-Base sed Ther erapeu eutic S Ser ervices es • Therapeutic ic H Hort rtic iculture in in S Specia ial Education on P Prog ograms • Labyrinth th a acti tivity ty

BENEFITS

Nature is life-giving

Nature allows balance

Nature provides meaning

Wellness • Phy hysic ical • Soci cial al • Psych chological cal • Cogn gnit itiv ive

Physical Health • Immune response • Decreases stress • Fine and gross motor skills • Improves eye-hand coordination

Social Interactions • Social bonding • Pro-environmental behavior • Group cohesion • Social functioning

Psychological Wellbeing • Increases self-esteem • Reduces stress • Improves mood • Decreases anxiety • Alleviates depression

Cognitive Function • Improves concentration • Stimulates memory • Improves goal achievement • Improves attention capacity

What is Nature-Based Therapeutics?

LATEST: Animal Assisted Interactions Nature FUTURE: Therapeutic Care Landscapes Farms Based Therapy Facilitated Therapeutic Green Horticulture Exercise

Therapeutic Landscapes • Stress r s reduct ction • Memory • Social b bonding

Facilitated Green Exercise • Mood, • Resiliency cy • Conc ncent ntration. n.

Therapeutic Horticulture • Motor s skills • Sel elf-det eter ermination • Community ty i inte tegrati tion.

Care Farms Therapeutic c use se o of farming p pract ctice ces

Animal Assisted Interactions • build co confidence ce • improve s soci cial skills • reduce ce s stress ss

The University of Minnesota’s Collaborative Initiative Dr. Edw dward Sc d Schneide der Dr. Mary J Jo o Krei eitzer er Direc ector or, Minnes esot ota L Landscape A e Arbor oret etum Dir irecto tor, C Cente ter for S Spir piritu ituality lity and Healin ling

Nature-Based Therapeutics A Collaboration where Academics and Practice Together make a Stronger Impact in the Community Academic Practice Cente ter for S Spi piritu tuali lity ty Minneso esota L Landsc dscape e and H d Hea ealing Ar Arboret etum

Nature-Based Therapeutics Structure Minnesota Landscape Arboretum: • Direct Services • Training • Outreach Center for Spirituality and Healing: • Education • Research • Outreach

The Mission of Nature-Based Therapeutics • Pract actice ce • Educat cation • Resea esearch • Com ommuni unity Eng ngagem ement ent

Nature-Based Therapeutic Services: • Direct ect S Ser ervi vice ce • Training ining/Edu ducatio ion • Res esear earch ch • Out utreac each

Who do we serve? All Audiences “

Karner Blue Education Center “

Karner Blue Education Center “

Nature heals Plant propagation

Nature heals Digging Area

Bellaire Education Center “

Nature heals Plant health, My health

Nature heals Labyrinth & nature walks

Labyrinths Ancient spiritual tool

Labyrinths Reduce anxiety & stress

Labyrinths Relaxation & reflection

Nature Heals