The Health Benefits of Landscaped Spaces | Sweeneys Custom Landscaping Inc

A yellow crocus bud grows among green leaves, melting snow, and brown grass, signaling the start of spring.

Like a phoenix rising from the ashes, Spring ephemerals pushed through the late season snow, undaunted and assured, compelled by its very nature despite the defiant environment.

A squirrel sits on a window ledge outside, looking in through the glass. Trees and a house are visible in the background. A few glass jars are inside on the window sill.

We too are facing a world of change and uncertainty as tensions run high, and emotions remain fragile as we attempt to navigate our new “normal”. Many of us are still finding our footing as a result of the pandemic, rising inflation, political tensions, etc. , which have left many feeling overwhelmed, anxious, and stressed.

Pink coneflowers with orange centers bloom in a garden surrounded by green leaves, with several unopened buds in the foreground and more flowers and greenery in the background.

Landscaped spaces (also known as green spaces) have proven to be good for our overall health, happiness, and intellect. They can lift our spirits, ease our anxieties, aid in healing, decrease disease, and increase our cognitive functions.

A weathered wooden bench sits beside a shaded dirt path, bordered by lush green bushes and grass in a peaceful garden setting.

It has long been known that access to green spaces, be it a public park, forest preserve, or your own yard, can reduce stress and improve overall mental health. More recently, it has been discovered that green spaces can play a role in overall health by lowering the incidence of many prevalent diseases, like heart disease, diabetes, and asthma.

Field of wildflowers with pink, white, and blue blooms, surrounded by green stems and grass, with trees, a fence, and a house visible in the blurred background.

Additionally, children have experienced increase memory and attention spans when being exposed to green spaces while reducing ADHD and hyperactivity. This is true of adults too. People concentrate better when being around plants, either at home or work.

A lush backyard garden with a winding green lawn, flowering plants along the edges, bright yellow-green bushes in the foreground, and several houses and trees in the background on a sunny day.

Green spaces have the ability to decrease stress and boost the healing process. Some physicians have even begun to prescribe “outdoor time” for their patients.

A garden scene viewed from under a white canopy, featuring tall grasses, green shrubs, and two ornate planters with purple flowers on either side of a concrete walkway. Trees and power lines are visible in the background.

Nature, although powerful and mysterious, and at times reckless and unpredictable, extends a gentle, healing hand and comforting embrace that we should accept whole heartedly into our lives and yards. Landscaped spaces, in a word, are good for our mind, body and soul.

Purple and white irises with long green leaves bloom in a garden bed, surrounded by grass and other plants on a sunny day.

Reach out to Sweeney’s today! Let us help you develop and maintain your healing, healthful landscape. After all, you deserve it, and there’s never been a better time or bigger need! We proudly serve the communities of Villa Park, Elmhurst, Oakbrook, Oakbrook Terrace, Glen Ellyn, Lombard, Wood Dale, Itasca, and more!

Sweeney’s: A Plant Based Company

Plant of the Week

Bright pink-red plume-shaped flower of an astilbe plant stands out among green, serrated leaves in a garden setting.

Fanal Astilbe

Deep red, tall, feathery-flowers bloom above bronzy-green foliage mid-Spring – Summer. Prefers shade to partial shade, and moist, well-drained soil. Grows 18-24″ tall and 18-24″ wide. Deer and rabbit resistant.

“Everybody needs beauty as well as bread, places to play in and pray in where nature may heal and cheer and give strength to the body and soul.”

-John Muir

Best wishes,

Kim Sweeney