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Relax With A Smile = = = = = = = = = = = = = Dear Casual Gardener, Our family lives such a very stressful life. I’m trying to find creative ways to relax outside. What would you suggest? Signed, Stressed Out Mom = = = = = = = = = = = = = Dear Stressed Out, Life has indeed gone to a stress level well beyond the normal human beings coping ability. The solution is not new and exciting ways to relax. It is simply to relax. Can you say hammock? Exercising outdoors is a significant step towards reducing stress. Gardening, biking, walking, and all aerobically centered activities are fantastic, but adding exposure to the sun and nature is absolutely critical, and I think the reason I personally feel so good most every day. Unless you have an eye condition of some sort, being exposed 20 minutes per day to the outdoors with no sunglasses is tantamount to having a pep pill. It increases serotonin, which gets your giddy-up to go and puts a smile on your face. Having friends to relax and have fun with you in the outdoors is important too. Friends are typically built in anti- depressants; they laugh with you, listen to you, and hug you. This contact is essential to a person’s mental health. Building your community and increasing these friendships will guarantee more positive feel-good experiences in your life. Another thing to help you to relax is laughter. Remember “it’s the best medicine.” I happen to agree that smiling more helps stimulate those feel-good brain chemicals. Old fashioned games and picnics generate lots of smiles in an outdoor environment, so have friends over soon to take some laughter medicine. Whimsy in the garden is a wonderful idea to stimulate smiles. My garden is filled with happy little fairies according to my seven year old. She and I have built a fairy garden, complete with whimsical fairy homes and paths. This weekend I am installing a tiny little fairy door on our back gate to invite neighboring fairies to visit. Since it is on a busy bike and walking path, I am positive that many people will stop and smile at the little door. By creating whimsy for others to enjoy you might spread smiles and reduce stress in the community. Remember not to forget the old fashioned basics - turn off the cell phone, enjoy a hammock, some lemonade, and a lazy afternoon. Relax! Please send your gardening questions for Shawna Coronado, The Casual Gardener to dearshawna@thecasualgardener.com or The Casual Gardener, P.O. Box 358, Warrenville, IL 60555 |
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