How Outdoor Therapy Improves Rehabilitation Recovery
How Outdoor Therapy Improves Rehabilitation Recovery
Following a serious injury, surgery, or illness, physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy are crucial for recovery. Recreational therapy, especially when it takes place outdoors, can also play an important role in helping patients heal.
Research shows that spending time outdoors during rehabilitation can improve the well-being of people as they recover.
“When a patient is in the hospital for an extended period of time, a lot of their autonomy is taken away because they endure many procedures and complex medical care throughout their hospital stay,” says Katy Mayer, TRS, CTRS, a recreational therapist at Craig H. Neilsen Rehabilitation Hospital. “As recreational therapists, part of our theory of practice is to return some of that autonomy to them and give our patients the freedom of choice just for the sake of trying something new and having fun.”
Why Nature Is Good for Recovery
Whether you’re performing physical therapy exercises or simply enjoying some fresh air on a bench, being in nature does more than offer a change of scenery.
Spending time outdoors boosts your mental health by:
- Lowering blood pressure
- Reducing stress
- Improving mood
- Improving cognitive function
- Encouraging physical activity
- Offering opportunities for social interaction
Studies suggest that just 10 minutes outdoors can positively impact a person’s mental health. This can be a game changer for those going through recovery treatment in a hospital setting.
“Many of our patients already have a connection to the outdoors,” Mayer says. “We’ve had patients who are avid bikers, hikers, fishers, and skiers. When they haven’t had access to outdoor activity for so long, that deprivation really weighs on them mentally.”
Taking Rehabilitation Outside
Patients at Neilsen Rehabilitation Hospital have access to outdoor spaces designed to support their ongoing therapies and treatments.
- Depending on their recovery goals, patients may:
- Practice walking or navigating different outdoor surfaces.
- Build strength and endurance during therapy sessions outside.
- Garden in raised beds by planting, watering, or caring for flowers and vegetables.
- Improve standing tolerance while working with plants and soil.
- Experience sensory activities using fragrant plants such as lavender and rosemary, which can be helpful for patients recovering from brain injuries.
- Take a break outdoors to reduce stress and recharge between therapy sessions.
“Our therapists are trained to manage ventilators and other medical devices in the transition to going outside,” Mayer says, “and there are protocols in place to ensure patients who have received an organ transplant are safe and can get the most out of being outside for therapy.”
Therapists can also take patients on supervised outings to local parks, gardens, and other community destinations. These trips give patients the chance to practice mobility devices, navigate public spaces, strengthen cognitive function through navigation, and prepare for everyday life after rehabilitation.
Finding Joy During Rehabilitation
Rehabilitation is hard work, but it should also include moments of enjoyment. Recreational therapy helps patients work toward physical, cognitive, social, and emotional goals through meaningful activities.
Programs at Neilsen Rehabilitation Hospital include:
- “Therapeutic Art Group” led by a recreational therapist and an artist-in-residence
- Therapeutic use of music
- Relaxation and mindfulness exercises
- Puzzles and games
- Animal assisted therapy
- Socialization and therapeutic conversation
Family members are encouraged to participate in many of these activities, creating opportunities to connect and take a break from the stress of caring.
“Having little pockets of joy throughout the day can really make a difference for patients,” Mayer says. “Family members also need that sense of community and normalcy.”
While rehabilitation focuses on helping patients regain strength and independence, recovery is about more than meeting therapy goals. Spending time outdoors, reconnecting with favorite activities, and sharing meaningful moments with loved ones can help patients build the confidence they need for life after the hospital.
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