The Impact of Outside Space within a Care Home
Being outside has been proven to have a positive impact on our bodies, both mentally and physically. Outside space and fresh air can make us feel better and relieve everyday stresses. We can start to feel more relaxed within a short space of time just by being surrounded by green and nature. We tend to take this for granted and at times we forget that this isn’t always the case for those who are elderly or have mobility issues.
Just by spending some time in nature and natural daylight, it can help to ease those suffering with mental health issues, particularly anxiety and depression.
“The key message of this evidence is a need to shift our attention from getting people to visit natural and sometimes remote spaces. To focus on how people can tune in and connect with “everyday” nature close to home through simple activities. We can develop a new relationship with the natural world by noticing nature, which has been found to bring benefits to mental health.” Professor Miles Richardson, University of Derby.
You can find out further information about the connection of nature and mental health by Professor Miles Richardson via mentalhealth.org.
At East Anglia Care Homes, we encourage our residents to enjoy our safe, outside gardens and courtyards. The garden is a fantastic meeting point to interact with other residents. It can be a useful area for gentle exercise and familiar games such as throwing and catching a ball. Our bird feeding stations within the gardens make a very relaxing setting, particularly in Spring with the sounds of birdsong.
The rooms on the ground floor of both Sutherlands and Halvergate have the added benefit of an external door with access if desired, to outside space.
For further information on both of our care homes at Halvergate House (North Walsham) and Sutherlands (Wymondham) please visit here.