Gardening helps women on sick leave return to work

Being and working in a garden combined with active job coaching can effectively help women on long-term sick leave return to work. A study conducted at Sahlgrenska University explored the reasons for the trend.

“A combination of garden therapy and coaching strengthened the participants’ physical and mental health, and led to the women reporting improved vitality and social capabilities. Therefore, we conclude that this model should be considered during rehabilitation of certain women on long-term sick leave,” says lead researcher Eva Lidén.

The project included women between 21 and 62 that had received economic support from 1 up to 10 years, and whose physical and mental health were deemed poor. The project was conducted at four so-called “Green Rehab Gardens” where physical therapists, occupational therapists and social workers worked in different constellations.

For two to four half-days per week, for 14 weeks, the women together with the rehabilitation personnel worked with such things as mental exercises, reflective therapy, physical activities and practical gardening.

At the beginning of the rehabilitation process met with a job coach who initiated and supported the women’s job searches for as long as needed, which for some cases continued after Green Rehab had ended.

The article, Combining garden therapy and supported employment — a method for preparing women on long-term sick leave for working life was published in the Scandinavian Journal of Caring Sciences in September.

Category: Top Story, Wellness and Complementary Therapies