Explaining Landscape Therapy

Over the last few years, the concept of Italian wine tourism has really exploded. People flock to Italy from all over the world to learn about the winemaking process and explore some of their favourite vintages.

Of course, the fact that they get to do this amongst some absolutely stunning scenery helps. Most winemakers are set up in scenic locations that wouldn’t look out of place on a postcard. And we believe that this fact is a large part of the appeal of wine tourism.

It’s also what brings us to the subject of today’s article – Landscape Therapy.

You see, there’s a reason why you feel so amazing when you’re surrounded by gorgeous scenery. The landscape itself is having a positive effect on your mental and physical health!

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In this article, we look at what Landscape Therapy is and some of the key benefits that it offers. Of course, these are the very benefits that you’ll also enjoy if you take a trip to an Italian wine producer.

What is Landscape Therapy?

“Get out and reconnect with nature!”

It’s some of the most common advice that life coaches, fitness gurus, and so many more give to the stressed urbanites of the modern world. While you spend your days cooped up at home or in the office, you’re missing out on all of the natural beauty around you.

It can sound a little trite, and even condescending, when that advice comes from the wrong types of people.

But the fact is that it’s also solid advice.

The idea behind Landscape Therapy is that our natural surroundings can help us to feel better. And it’s a concept that’s gaining a lot of traction. In fact, there are landscapers who make it their area of expertise. They specifically design gardens that have such an ebb and flow of natural features that they reduce stress and improve wellness in the people who own them.

Of course, you don’t need to create a special garden to engage in a little Landscape Therapy.

A hike through the woods can provide you with many of the beneficial effects. So too could a walk on the beach or even some time spent camping. And of course, as we said at the beginning, visiting some of the scenic locations that host Italian winemakers is also a form of Landscape Therapy.

The point is that you surround yourself with nature to improve your wellness. Now, let’s dig into some of the specific benefits.

Benefit #1 – Stress Reduction

This is one that you can easily see for yourself!

Let’s say that you’ve had a really tough day at work. The boss just wouldn’t stop riding you and it felt like the day would never end.

You get back home and find that you really don’t want to be cooped up indoors. So, you grab yourself a glass of Italian wine and go outside to sit in your garden for a while.

The stress just melts off, right? And the same happens if you go for a hike or just do anything that brings you closer to nature.

There’s something about the natural world that can soothe the soul. There are many reasons why a wine tourist will be so happy during their trip. One of the biggest is that they have no stress because they’re surrounded by perfect landscapes.

Benefit #2 – Improved Air Quality

The world will live in is becoming increasingly populated. Every passing year seems to bring with it more industrialisation. That means more cars on the road and skies that feel like they full of smog.

It’s not the greatest thing in the world for anybody who has a respiratory condition. And we’d bet that this is also one of the chief causes of such conditions in people who don’t already have them. 

Again, Landscape Therapy can come to the rescue. And the reason why is pretty obvious if you ask yourself this question…

What produces oxygen?

Plants, of course. The process of photosynthesis leads to carbon being pulled out of the air and replaced with oxygen. When you spend time in nature, you’re also spending time in some of the most oxygen-rich areas of the world. That can only be a good thing, especially when the alternative is the polluted air that you’ll find in most major urban areas.

Benefit #3 – A Lack of Drama

Think about a crashing waterfall.

It’s a wonder to behold but it’s also a dramatic thing. There’s constant movement and never-ending noise as water smashes into water.

The point we’re making here is that not all natural things are suitable for Landscape Therapy. One of the keys to this technique is to eliminate as much drama as possible. Instead, you surround yourself with the serene as a means to get away from it all.

Again, contrast that waterfall with an Italian winery. One offers constant drama while the other offers the peace and quiet you need to engage in Landscape Therapy.

Benefit #4 – Increased Productivity

Stress is one of the biggest enemies of productivity. When your mind feels clouded with stress, you just can’t focus on the things that you need to do. This means you procrastinate and struggle to get things done. This leads to even more stress and the cycle goes on.

We’ve established that Landscape Therapy reduces stress. But this also means that it increases productivity. It gives you a chance to collect and process all of your thoughts so that you can come back stronger the next day.

The Final Word

There’s a reason why having a glass of Italian wine in the garden works so well as a stress-reliever. You’re engaging in Landscape Therapy without even knowing it!

Of course, Landscape Therapy covers the gamut from just spending time in natural locations through to having specially-designed locations set up for specific purposes. Still, there’s no denying the positive effects. And when you visit an Italian winery, you’re getting what it perhaps the most natural form of Landscape Therapy out there!