35 years ago a classic study revealed the power of nature – this is a timely reminder

35 years ago, Roger Ulrich published a seminal paper in Science. His research demonstrated that patients receiving gallbladder removal operations recovered more quickly if their room had a view of nature, than if it did not.

Not only did the patients leave hospital on average over a day earlier, they called for fewer strong painkillers and received fewer negative evaluation comments from nurses (ie less grumpy and difficult).

Ulrich went on to publish many more groundbreaking studies, and has influenced a growing body of science that now quite clearly evidences the benefits of nature for health, as well as nature for performance, productivity, happiness and its own sake.

A recent article by the American Health Facilities Management magazine cited several good examples of nature gardens created for patient recovery, and noted that “employees of medical organizations also can benefit from access to nature. Christ Hospital Joint & Spine Center (pictured) opened two rooftop gardens that provide views of the Cincinnati skyline and a meeting space for up to 100 people.”

Looking back into history there is a rich, though largely forgotten, tradition of using plants and gardens for patients in healthcare environments. Ulrich writes “During the Middle Ages in Europe, for example, monasteries created elaborate gardens to bring pleasant, soothing distraction to the ill. European and American hospitals in the 1800s commonly contained gardens and plants as prominent features.”

At Human Nature, we are working to find new ways of bringing nature back into the healthcare environment – for example onto walls, and roofs, especially at sites where space is at a premium and ground level opportunities are limited.

So the evidence is clear. If you’re unfortunate enough to be planning a visit to hospital, get a room with a view if you possibly can.

Photograph Adi Goldstein