10 Spring Images That Bring Healing to Healthcare

Spring is the most exciting season.  It’s about renewal – the ache in our bones as the days get longer and the anticipation of everything in nature coming to life again.

After a bit of hibernating here in the Midwest, spring is when you’re ready to get outside and start exploring all the hidden surprises waiting in nature.

An article from the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health found that using nature as a form of therapy had “’ preventive medical effects’ through exposure to natural stimuli that render a state of physiological relaxation and boost the weakened immune functions to prevent diseases” (Physiological Effects of Nature Therapy, 2016 Song, Ikei, Miyazaki).  Wow, right?!

Research has shown the restorative benefits of nature can also be effective in the built environment where nature images are used as a way of bringing nature indoors (Effects of Nature on Restorative and Cognitive Benefits in Indoor Environment, 2023, Rhee, Schermer, et al, Science Report, 2023).

We want to look a bit closer at why springtime images, in particular, often rise to the top of the list when it comes to healing.

Images of spring create a calming, uplifting atmosphere that:

• reduces stress,
• promotes healing,
• and enhances the well-being of patients and staff.

The allure of springtime renewal brings hope to places where people need it the most and reminds patients of the world outside they’re eager to get back to.

It’s no wonder spring images are some of the most requested photographs for healthcare environments.

If you’re looking to bring the rejuvenating energy of spring into your healthcare environment (who isn’t?!), here are 10 spring images that bring healing to healthcare with plenty of visuals to start giving you some of those benefits now:

10 Spring Images That Bring Healing to Healthcare

1. Emerging Blooms –

Spring buds, ready to burst, are the first signs of spring we see in nature.  They symbolize renewal, and growth, and hint at all the beauty and color that’s to come, making them high on the list of spring images that bring healing to healthcare environments.

2. Flowers –

While all flower photographs bring a sense of optimism to healthcare, the early blooms of springtime – tulips, daffodils, pansies, and lilacs – are what usually come to mind when we think of spring.  These first blooms bring healing to healthcare with their cheerful, uplifting colors and mood-boosting energy that reduces anxiety for patients and staff.

3. Budding Trees –

The sight of fresh buds on springtime branches offers a sense of hope and new beginnings—perfect for patients ready to move beyond ailments that are holding them back.  Cherry blossoms and magnolia trees are just some of the spring images that bring healing to healthcare environments.

4. Lush Green Grasses –

Fresh, green grasses create a sense of vitality and relaxation, helping to lower stress levels and evoke feelings of peace. Our evolutionary ties to the color green make it an ideal choice for healthcare spaces that want to bring all the benefits of the outdoors inside.

5. Flowing Water –

Water is another aspect of nature that warms and begins flowing again during springtime.  Streams, waterfalls, and gentle ripples on the water’s surface have a meditative effect, reducing tension and promoting a sense of calm.  Flowing water images are essential when it comes to spring images that bring healing to healthcare environments.

6. Rain and Water Drops –

Close-up images of dewdrops on petals or a soft spring rain are soothing reminders of the cleansing power of nature.  They symbolize refreshment and renewal while also highlighting all the beauty in the details, making them perfect positive distractions in healthcare facilities.

7. Migrating Birds –

Some of the first sounds we hear as spring emerges are the melodic songs of birds building their nests.  Birds in flight represent movement and change, which are important elements of recovery and healing.  And seeing birds make their seasonal transitions ties us to those same evolutionary patterns within our own lives as we adapt to the seasons. 

8. Butterflies and Pollinators –

These delicate creatures signify transformation and resilience, inspiring patients in healthcare environments of their own journeys of recovery.  Butterflies and pollinators also remind us of the important role we each have to play in the world.

9. Verdant Landscapes –

Spring is the time of getting outside again after a long winter, so scenes of rolling hills, sunlit forests, and open fields provide a sense of expansiveness and tranquility.  These wide open spaces are powerful spring images that bring healing to healthcare environments by reducing feelings of confinement in hospital settings.

10. Sunsets and Sunrises –

The warm glow of morning light represents fresh starts and possibilities, creating a soothing atmosphere in waiting rooms and patient areas.  Soft pastel hues at the end of the day bring comfort and reassurance, helping patients and caregivers wind down and find peace.

Incorporating spring images that bring healing to healthcare environments should be at the top of every facility’s to-do list.  Using photographs from this hopeful season, filled with growth and possibility, is a great way to foster a sense of calm for the entire care team.

Sprintime images remind patients of the miraculous circle of life, inspiring resilience during periods of recovery.  They keep caregivers uplifted and help them stay focused during long, stressful days.

We can’t think of a better way to remind patients of the goals they can achieve than by showing them the beauty of nature’s own renewal going on in the world around them.