Question

Discuss the theory of nature as a restorative environment. How does being in nature support restoration, according to this theory? Be able to describe details. What are some characteristics of restorative environments, including nature?

Answer 1

To begin the discussion it would be necessary to define the key terms verbatim.

"Restoration: The process of renewing, recovering, or reestablishing physical, psychological, and social resources or capabilities diminished in ongoing efforts to meet adaptive demands."

"Restorative environment: An environment that promotes (and not merely permits) restoration."

In order for restoration to take place there are few components that need to be present and are conducive for the process to take place. Firstly, there needs to be a focus on the discourse that restoration takes in both an urban and natural settling. With most of the population concentrated in the urban sectors, most of the masses wonder to more ethereal and natural setting for the purposes of restoration. Hence, access to natural environments is scarce and the daily hassles of an urban city can be demanding. The presence of noise, pollutions, daily stressors and responsibilities which are key characteristics of an urban setting, and these are what lead to the requirement of restoration and a restoration environment. Nature is the antithesis of all that the urban side boasts of, which makes it conducive for restoration to take place.  

Restorative environment should be able to restore an individuals prowess to be able to adapt, which depletes over time due to the wear and tear that one experiences in their day to day quotidian. These restorative environments should be capable of restoring the Biological, Psychological, Social reserves that are essential for survival as well as adaptation.

According to the Kaplans individuals are equipped with what is called the inhibitory capacity wherein they inhibit the competing stimuli which might seem more interesting. Using this requires effort which eventually is bound to get drained and cause immense fatigue to the person that might include signs of irritability and not being able to distinguish between certain compelling decisions so on and so forth. Then, there is a call for restoration by the aid of restorative environments.

Nature and its reasons for being a restorative environment have already been spoken about above. But, the other characteristics that restorative environments harbor are, anything that is novel, simple, and not exhausting and deviant from the day to day routine of the given individual can be labeled as restorative and the environment in which these activities can be run smoothly and efficiently are restorative environments.