Green Care: A Conceptual Framework - Frisk i naturen

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6.15 Physical resonance as a methodological
approach to understanding the influence of
plants on people
Scientific discussion about the effects of plants on the human psyche is
mostly limited to chemistry and nutrition and does not address the question,
why “Green” in general and trees specifically, are effective agents. So far,
theories to explain why walking through the woods or the countryside, is
so relaxing and restorative, are scarce. Measurements have been taken to
show the influence of viewing natural scenes (Hartig et al, 1991) on blood
pressure (Ulrich et al,1991) and on restoration-time after surgery (Ulrich,
1984); Kaplan and Kaplan have conducted much important research. These
show results and effects, but explanations are still scarce (see, for example,
1989, 1995).
A concept derived from psychotherapy and psychoanalysis called physical
countertransference may bring a solution. This notion was profoundly
improved by Heimann (1950), and refined by Rand (2001) and Totton
(2005). They named it “physical resonance”.
Initially, resonance is the sounding together of (two or more) physical
entities. Physical resonance underlines the physical aspect of both. By
transferring the concept of “physical resonance” from humans to plants,
a new paradigm for understanding the therapeutic value of green care
emerges. People can notice specific body reactions when they take time to
feel the physical sensations which plants evoke. Even though this approach
can be applied to any object, to humans or plants or to organic objects, to
concrete – it is the matter which matters. There is a fundamental psycho-
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