How does communing with nature improve well-being and mental health?
This course is designed to provide a detailed understanding of the nature through Horticultural Therapy (also known as Social and Therapeutic Horticulture) which uses the activities associated with horticulture such as gardening, plant propagation, plant care, visits to natural environments and gardens and parks, etc. in personal development; to engender a feeling of well-being, improve physical health and encourage social interaction. This course will teach you practice techniques and methods of Horticultural Therapy which become more widely used within mental health services.
Horticultural
Therapy
Online
Course
This course will give you all of the skills, knowledge, resources, and confidence you need to start using Social and Therapeutic Horticulture (STH) to address rehabilitation, recovery, social inclusion, training, and employment. By undertaking this foundation-level Horticultural Therapy Online Course, you will gain knowledge of the following areas:
- Introduction to the benefits of Social and Therapeutic Horticulture (STH)
- Key theories on why gardens are therapeutic
- How gardens and gardening can be utilised as therapy
- Different models of horticulture as therapy
The course is suitable for anyone who wants to understand how to use Social and Therapeutic Horticulture (STH) whether you are new or have been involved in STH for some time, this course will cover content that helps you to maximise the value and benefits of STH.
By the end of this course, you will have all of the need-to-know information about Social and Therapeutic Horticulture (STH). You will improve your well-being, reduce stress and tension levels, anxiety and restlessness and be able to cope with difficult emotions by regularly being in gardens, parks, and forests - the positive benefits of horticulture therapy.
What is Social and Therapeutic Horticulture commonly known as Garden Therapy and how does communing with nature improve wellbeing and mental health?
Horticultural therapy (also known as social and therapeutic horticulture’) uses the activities associated with horticulture such as gardening, plant propagation, plant care, visits to natural environments and gardens and parks, etc. in personal development; to engender a feeling of well-being, improve physical health and encourage social interaction.
Horticultural therapy is becoming more widely used within mental health services. There are huge benefits to working collaboratively, socialising, having a sense of purpose and responsibility, and learning new skills, which can ease the discharge process and reduce anxiety and isolation.
Horticulture is seen as the 'Art, Science, Technology, and Business of intensive plant cultivation for human use' (Chartered Institute of Horticulture). It is a range of diverse activities from landscaping to the production of food and non-food crops, all of which contribute to human health and well-being.
During the course you will learn:
How to..
.. apply the principles and practice of Social and Therapeutic Horticulture (STH) to benefit yourself and the people who have mental health support needs to reduce stress and tension, reduce fear and anxiety and regulate difficult emotions
How to..
.. induce a sense of self-satisfaction and satisfaction, thereby increasing confidence and optimism and helping to develop caring, and responsibility and improve concentration and the ability to focus by using garden therapy and simple activities such as caring for plants - replanting, pruning or watering plants
How to..
.. encourage social interaction, improve the quality of relationships and teach problem-solving by incorporating daily practices and garden therapy techniques into your life
Course author:
This course was created in cooperation with the shirin-yoku guides.
What are the benefits of Social and Therapeutic Horticulture (STH)?
There are many benefits to be gained from horticultural therapy. These benefits are both physical and psychological.
This course includes answers to the following questions:
- How does using all the senses in horticulture therapy help to reduce stress and tension, reduce fear and anxiety and regulate difficult emotions?
- How, by regularly being in gardens, parks, and woods and observing plants, can we calm ourselves, calm our thoughts and focus on being in the here and now, appreciating the benefits of the vegetation around us?
- How can replanting, pruning or watering plants induce a sense of self-satisfaction and satisfaction, thereby increase confidence and optimism?
- How can caring for plants and adapting appropriate treatments according to their needs help develop caring, and responsibility?
- How can caring for plants help build good habits and teach patience, improve concentration, and the ability to focus?
- What daily practices and tips can you incorporate into your life to make time each day to commune with nature and reap the benefits of plant therapy?
- How can garden therapy techniques encourage social interaction, improve the quality of relationships and teach problem-solving?
What will you gain by taking part in the course?
New, current threads
During the lectures of this course, you will gain full insight into practice techniques and methods to help anyone experiencing depressed mood, negative emotions, anxiety, long-term stress, and feeling overwhelmed by an overload of information and responsibilities and to learn how contact with nature and nurturing plants can benefit the quality of their psycho-physical well-being. It is also ideal for anyone who wants to expand a current related profession or learn a new one.
New skills
By taking this course, you will learn the need-to-know information about Social and Therapeutic Horticulture (STH). You will improve your well-being, reduce stress and tension levels, anxiety and restlessness and learn how to cope with difficult emotions by regularly being in gardens, parks, and forests - the positive benefits of horticulture therapy. The course will help you learn how to adapt simple activities such as caring for plants - replanting, pruning, or watering plants to induce a sense of self-satisfaction, increase confidence and optimism, and help to develop caring, responsibility, and improve concentration and the ability to focus.
Practice
The course covers a range of areas related to Horticultural Therapy (also known as Social and Therapeutic Horticulture). This course is designed to provide a detailed understanding of activities associated with horticulture such as gardening, plant propagation, plant care, visits to natural environments and gardens and parks, etc. in personal development; to engender a feeling of well-being, improve physical health and encourage social interaction. By the end of this course, you’ll have the skills how to apply the principles and practice of Social and Therapeutic Horticulture (STH) to benefit yourself and the people who have mental health support needs to reduce stress and tension, reduce fear and anxiety and regulate difficult emotions.
Availability
You will have access to all materials in a convenient form online around the clock, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year, so you can learn where, how, and when you want by using downloadable resources such as notes, videos, slides, factsheets, assessments and highlighted key points in each course section which are helping you to keep on track, as well as improve your results.
Certification
Once you have completed the course you will receive a personal document confirming participation in the course.
You will be able to download your certificate of completion from 'my panel' on the UniqSkills platform and share your new skills online.
Syllabus:
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Module 1 - The effects of garden therapy on psychological well-being |
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Focusing on your senses, feelings, and needs surrounded by plants and nature-how does horticulture therapy help to regulate excessive stress, negative emotional states, and anxiety? |
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Breath and body work - how does regular exposure to gardens, forests, and parks help you to calm your thoughts, calm down being with yourself in the here and now? Tips for use in everyday life. |
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The link between nurturing and growing plants and feelings of satisfaction, contentment, and self-confidence - how can watering, pruning, and replanting plants help rebuild self-esteem and overall satisfaction with one's life? |
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Meditation among plants-how observing and surrounding yourself with plants can increase life optimism? Practical exercises tips from mindfulness professionals to use in everyday life. |
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Module 2 - Social skills and relationship building in garden therapy |
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Through nurturing and growing plants you will learn to develop mindfulness, responsibility, and caring - how can caring for your plants help you develop basic social skills? |
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You will receive substantive support and practical advice on how to carve out time and space in your life for daily interactions with nature tips on how to take care of your mental health with the help of garden therapy |
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You will work on your patience, your ability to focus, and improve your concentration with the help of plants-tested methods that can be used immediately in both your professional and private life |
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You will learn effective problem-solving and long-term relationship-building through horticulture - growing plants together is an effective way to improve your relationships with other people and a strategy to help you learn how to solve problems |
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Completion of the Course |
How do customers rate the course?
Horticultural Therapy Online Course
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