"Co-construction·heart-building" healing garden:Exploring a new paradigm of ecological labor practice based on horticultural therapy
Hong Chen
Shenzhen Polytechnic University
Jidong Chen
Shenzhen Polytechnic University
Jingkang Pang
Shenzhen Polytechnic University
Hongbin Zhang
Shenzhen Polytechnic University
DOI: https://doi.org/10.59429/pest.v8i1.13403
Keywords: horticultural therapy; ecological labor; healing garden; mental health education
Abstract
This paper presents the "Co-construction · Heart-Building" Healing Garden labor education program, which aims to explore a new paradigm of ecological labor practice grounded in horticultural therapy. By deeply integrating labor, aesthetic, psychological, and ideological-political education, the program seeks to enhance the positive psychological qualities of university students. This case study conducted in-depth research on student needs, provided diversified guidance, and meticulously designed and implemented a variety of branded horticultural activities, including the co-construction of pocket gardens and horticultural therapy sessions. These initiatives enabled students to experience the growth of life and achieve spiritual healing through their participation in labor. Furthermore, the case leverages diverse labor venues to construct a comprehensive labor education environment, holistically fostering students' positive mindsets and their capacity for happiness and creativity. The program emphasizes the positive impact of labor on mental health, guiding students to cultivate self-confidence, optimism, and psychological resilience through intimate interaction with nature, thereby igniting the light of hope within their hearts and enabling them to profoundly understand and experience the value of labor and the meaning of life .
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