Healing Properties of Gardens
The gardens at Bella Terra are designed to provide more than visual appeal—they support measurable physiological benefits as part of everyday life. As noted in Scientific American, “just three to five minutes spent looking at photographs dominated by trees, flowers or water can begin to reduce anger, anxiety and pain, and to induce relaxation,” based on studies measuring changes in blood pressure, muscle tension, and brain activity.” If measurable changes can occur from simply viewing an image of nature, it is reasonable to consider the deeper impact of being fully immersed in it.
Scientific research has evolved into discipline used in creating “Healing Gardens” on the grounds of hospitals and care centers of all types around the world. At Bella Terra, that level of access is built into the community itself. From any of the townhomes, being in the Central Garden is just a moment away, making it easy to step into a natural setting as part of daily life, rather than waiting for a planned outing to a park or for a hike.
Drawing on the principles of healing gardens, the water features have been intentionally designed to incorporate – at virtually each location / view – the distinct and complementary benefits of both still and flowing water. Still water is known to evoke a sense of calm and mental clarity, while flowing water produces an enlivening, mental and emotional cleansing effect. Together, the visual beauty and ambient sound of each create a layered experience that deepens immersion and supports the body’s natural relaxation and healing response.
Access to a setting of this quality is rare in residential communities—and increasingly valuable in a culture that offers few opportunities for quiet, restorative contact with nature.
Throughout history, gardens have been cherished by civilizations around the world. Horace -the Roman Philosopher and Poet, 65BC – 8 BC wrote “This used to be among my prayers - a piece of land not so very large which would contain a garden, and near the house a spring of ever flowing water, and beyond these a bit of wood.”
The multiple types of natural experiences provided in our Bella Terra community include the overall deep silence punctuated by the sound of falling water, the walks and sitting areas of the Central Garden, the privacy and beauty of the Grotto, all of which combine to maximize our residents opportunities to benefit from Nature’s positive physical, emotional and spiritual benefits by connecting us to a basic and healing human need – especially in these times of the cultural disconnection from Nature.
