Nature can Nurture (6/6/19)
- DeeAnn Taylor-Rivera
- May 29, 2019
- 1 min read
Changdeokgung’s Secret Garden was an added treat we were able to take advantage of. Today is a National Holiday for Korea so our academic calendar was open, and we were able to visit a National Treasure that has only been available for public viewing for a few years.
Today the air quality was very poor. The air was thick with smog and it was overcast with a high chance of rain. It seemed almost magical as we crossed under the arch and ascended into the gardens that were only available for the Royal Family and the King’s Administration. The air seemed clearer and cleaner and it felt easier to breathe as we listened to our guide take us back to a time when a King ruled Korea. The garden is not manicured, and it is intentional in its design to balance the design of the buildings to be in harmony with the landscape. It was tranquil as well as beautiful.
"There's increasing evidence that access to green space in nature can provide a range of benefits in mental health, physical health and social cohesion," according to Lauriane Suyin Chalmin-Pui, a PhD student at the University of Sheffield.
It was the principal palace for many kings of the Joseon Dynasty because of the space available to have the peaceful gardens. Even without formal research, people centuries ago knew that nature can nurture. I think we would be wise to follow their lead.
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