Sensory gardens have been shown to have several benefits to the physical health and well-being of an individual, especially for those with a disability. People suffering from conditions such as Acquired Brain Injury, Huntington’s chorea, Spinal Cord Injury, and many more can benefit from a sensory garden as discovered at Treloar's. 1. SENSORY STIMULATION Given the name has sensory in it, it is correct for you to assume one of the benefits a person is going to get from it is sensory stimulation. Sensory stimulation is when one or more senses are activated. Many of our clients usually have a loss or decreased use of some senses. Engaging with the sensory gardens can help in allowing access to sensory input, sunlight and nature. This is going to lead to dull hypersensitivity or increased sensation to the limbs affected. 2. PROMOTES PHYSICAL ACTIVITY Gardening, walking and sitting-to-standing and moving around will go a long way in helping promote and perform physical activities. People suffering from degenerative diseases, acquired brain injuries and other disabilities can benefit a lot from physical activity (just like any other person can get health benefits from it). Some of the benefits include improved cardio-respiratory fitness, alleviation of depressive symptoms, increased muscle strength and improvement of physical tasks. There is also an outdoor space where therapy is done, which will have a pool or gym. 3. SENSE OF COMMUNITY There is something good about working with others as a team and creating something great. While you can benefit from the sensory garden alone, working with others can help in increasing the desire to participate and have a sense of community with both the residents and the wider community. 4. REDUCE AGGRESSIVE BEHAVIOURS AND AGITATION When in the sensory garden, some tasks are going to be performed that have been shown to help in reducing negative behaviours, and also providing regulated engagements of the senses for agitation. Many studies have been done and they have shown that gardening is effective in reducing aggression and agitation in people, and this is the same with the Sensory Modulation Area, an outdoor area adjacent to the main garden. This is an area reserved for clients who are aggressive and have outbursts, who need some fresh air and a place where they can relax and “let off some steam”. The area has shade for relief from the sun in the summer and also a bench press that a client can use in relieving tension. 5. PRESENTS COGNITIVE AND PHYSICAL CHALLENGES There are several cognitive and physical activities to do. The activities will help in increasing motor activities and purposeful movement and challenge balance in the safe environment. It helps in providing cognitive stimulation by planning and executive functioning. 6. ALLOWS MEDIATION, STRESS RELEASE AND REFLECTION Spiritual and emotional healing is as important as physical, and this is why the sensory garden caters for this. It gives you the chance of having a private and calm space where you can meditate and reflect. You can also use this space to have a family discussion. Elements like music, water features, natural sounds, the smell of flowers and plants will go a long way in helping you enjoy calming sensations. Release of stress and relaxation has physical benefits like lowering blood pressure. 7. INSPIRE PERSONAL ACCOMPLISHMENT The sense of personal accomplishment is another important benefit a client can expect to get because of gardening and other activities. Taking care of plants and living organisms, especially the ones that can be consumed, can leave the client feeling happy and get a sense of achievement. Another benefit is PERMA positive psychology. This is when the client can do a meaningful task and motivates performance. 8. DECREASE FATIGUE AND INCREASE MENTAL CLARITY The last one we will talk about (there are a lot more benefits) is its role in decreasing fatigue and increasing clarity. There is fresh air in the garden, and this can help in increasing neural activity because it uses the sense of smell.