For Peace of Mind
It is a well-known fact that gardening and growing your own food is healthy not only for your body but also for your mind. It’s a gentle and interactive form of exercise that promotes flexibility, strength, dexterity and motor skills. Working with growing things in the light of the sun fosters mindfulness, connects us with the natural world and encourages us in a growth mindset. A garden has a healing power of its own, even to the point of accelerating recovery from surgery, mitigating pain, improving balance, and reducing risk for a variety of health problems. The simple process of entering into the world of another living thing and caring for it cultivates well-being within ourselves.
Over the past few years, many of us have come to some realization that slowing down and spending time on our mental health is important. We’ve left jobs to pursue our passions, taken to traveling more, started a YouTube channel, or just planted a few seeds and watched them grow. If you have a garden or want to cultivate one, here are a few ways to design a green space that is much more than a lawn.
>> Get Sentimental
When I was growing up, The Secret Garden was one of my favorite stories with its magical word picture of a stone wall-bound tanglewood turned paradise. I didn’t know many flowers, but I wanted, and still desire, that marvelous garden. What vegetable, flower, or shrub invokes memories or tenderness for you? Maybe a violet your mom grew on a windowsill. Or a hedge your grandfather trimmed on any given Sunday.
>> Craft Tranquil Visuals
There’s a Japanese phrase “shinrin-yoku” that translates to “forest bathing” or an immersion in all things green in nature. Green evokes feelings of abundance, peace, rest, security. Add some energy and brightness with vivid rainbow colors. Create depth of calm with blues, whites and purples. Enhance sanctuary by adding seating, filling in the gaps, softening the corners and planting pockets of color in a brimming sea of verdure
>> Craft a Soothing Soundscape
From rustling leaves, buzzing insects, bubbling water, and foraging, flitting, chirping birds, the sounds of nature can be very soothing to the mind and body. Planting pollinator-friendly flowers and herbs, installing a water feature and setting up birdhouses or nest-inviting shrubbery can start the process of establishing a harmonious habitat for creatures and humans.
>> Stimulate Sweet Aromas
I love sitting among my tomato plants during the height of summer and basking in the lively scent and subtle cool humidity they emit. Lilacs, honeysuckle, elderberry, lavender, buttonbush, roses and a long list of herbs can add a pleasing headiness to your space. Look for plants and flowers with the word “sweet” in the name for added scents.
Our mental health – emotionally, psychologically, socially – is important as we face the stresses, relationships and choices of each day. As you begin planning how to make your space more head and heart friendly, just remember to start small in gentleness and begin with something you love. As you cultivate that corner of your humanity, the kindness will expand. Go plant a seed for your heart. N
As featured in the Nspire Magazine 2023 Summer/Fall Edition
By: S. Michal Bennett
Photography by: Joel Riner