Health, Wellbeing and Planters
There are no two ways about it – Mother Nature is a fabulous mood booster.
Study after study has shown the physical and mental health benefits of green spaces. A Public Health England 2014 report found that access to good quality green space is associated with a range of positive health outcomes including better self-rated health, lower body mass index scores and obesity levels, improved mental health and wellbeing and increased longevity.
Public Health England said people living in greener areas experience significantly lower levels of mental distress and higher life satisfaction scores.
The Landscape Institute has also done good work on the links between greenery and wellbeing. Its 2013 Position Statement highlighted studies showing that access to nature promotes recovery from stress and attention fatigue, and has positive effects on mood, concentration, self-discipline and physiological stress. And it also drew attention to the power of vegetation to reduce air pollution: low-density planting can filter air most effectively.
On the other side of the world, Japanese scientists have spent a lot of time studying links between outdoor greenery and wellbeing. The country’s Forestry Agency advises people to take walks in woods if they wish to improve their general health. They call it shinrin-yoku, or forest bathing.
One researcher, Dr. Qing Li, a professor at the Nippon Medical School in Tokyo, has found that trees and plants emit aromatic compounds called phytoncides which, when inhaled, induce healthy biological changes in a manner similar to aromatherapy.
Listen to Dr. Qing Li speak about his book: ‘Forest Bathing: How Trees Can Help You Find Health and Happiness.'
Other studies have also strongly suggested that health issues like heart disease, depression, cancer, anxiety and attention disorders can be ameliorated by contact with nature.
And in 2016 another case study reported that women living in areas with high levels of vegetation had a 12% lower risk of death from all causes compared with people in the least green places.
It’s good to be reminded that landscaping can have such a positive impact on people. When you’re creating imaginative outdoor spaces, you’re also making a significant contribution not only to lifting people’s spirits but lengthening their lives.
And when it comes to imaginative landscape designs, there are few better products to help than the range of planter systems and accessories from Raaft. Planters can bring an outdoor terrace area to life and turn it to one that’s teeming with vegetation and interesting plant life.
Take 116 Old Street in London, an intensive green rooftop garden aimed to maximise biodiversity and improve ecological impact on the local environment. Landscape architect John Davies incorporated Raaft’s angular planter walls and benches to create a green haven in the heart of London’s urban landscape.
The versatility of Raaft planter systems is what makes them so popular with landscape designers. Available in standard and bespoke designs, they can be finished in CorTen weathering steel for a naturally patinated look that works well both with an earthy organic look or a modern urban industrial style. If preferred, they can also be powder coated in any standard RAL colour, to match surrounding window frames, cladding and trim, or to create a burst of statement-making colour.
They are also designed to work seamlessly with the Raaft terrace system and complement Raaft’s range of composite decking, porcelain decking and porcelain tiles, making it possible for you to create amazing – and health-boosting – outdoor spaces.
Speak to Raaft about your next terrace project
Whether you are an architect, landscape designer or property owner/developer, if you’d like to connect your property closer to nature, talk to the experts at Raaft.
We can guide you through the process of selecting the right Raaft products with technical support, free samples by post and free online resources to help you through the design, construction, and installation process.