A Public Love Letter to My Garden

Good news!

Scientific research now confirms what (many of us) already know to be true:

Plants can contribute to our happiness and health.

One study suggests that patients who get to enjoy a view of nature through hospital windows recover better after surgery than people who are staring at brick walls.

Other experts report that taking a leisurely stroll through a green setting — like a forest — can reduce blood pressure levels and improve mental clarity and focus, even in children with ADHD.

And puttering around in your garden? That’s one of the best things of all!

Thank you, beautiful garden (outside or indoors.) For keeping me healthy, happy and just a little bit dirty… (In the best possible way. :)

[If you don’t have a garden, indoor plants can also bring a lot of joy. Just plant something in a pot, and watch, with amazement, as this living plant grows + transforms, before your eyes!]

Regular gardeners tend to have a lower risk for dementia, lower risk for heart disease… and they receive an all-natural serotonin boost, too.

Gardening is so therapeutic — and more research to prove it seems to pile in by the truckload, every day.

If you’re going to add something new to your self-care regime, I say: consider making it gardening.

And to encourage you, just a little bit more…

This is a public love letter to my garden.

(I know that plants can’t read, but… I think they’ll get the message, somehow.)

Thank you, beautiful garden…

Source: Dr. Suzanne Gelb, PhD.

… for giving me a terrific reason to get outside and enjoy some sunlight and fresh air, every day.

… for helping me bond with my neighbors. (Every time I water the plants, out in front of my home, folks come over to chat!)

… for giving me the pleasure of “instant gratification.” (In a healthy way!) I love the fact that I can see a scruffy-looking bush or a tree that needs pruning, and fifteen minutes later… voila! Such a difference.

… for reminding me, also, that good things take time to grow. When I feel impatient, I think about my garden and remember that big, strong trees and lush plants don’t spring up in a day. Patience is necessary for new life to thrive.

… for all of the wonderful exercise! Some days, when I don’t feel like running or dancing or practicing yoga, I can always count on my garden for a little bit of sweat.

… for providing me with endless inspiration for photography! (A practice that helps me to notice + reflect on all of the simple pleasures + beauty, that surround me.)

Thank you, beautiful garden (outside or indoors.) For keeping me healthy, happy and just a little bit dirty… (In the best possible way. :)