Hone your gardening skills for physical and mental benefits that can enhance the quality of your life. The time you spend in your garden digging, planting, weeding, and harvesting can give you endurance, flexibility, and strength, says Steve Upson, a horticulture consultant for the Noble Foundation. Plus, Upson says the independent stress-busting activity gives you a chance to “break from the general rush of life” while giving you an opportunity to self-reflect, meditate, or daydream. “The therapeutic benefits, both physical and emotional, associated with gardening foster a wholeness of body, mind, and spirit necessary for healing,” says Upson. The first step to creating your own healing garden is planning. Upson says often people plant more than they can manage, so start small and choose just one or two of your favorite items to concentrate on. Upson suggests extending your harmony to others and inviting neighborhood fun by organizing a community garden. Ultimately, your green thumb can bring you more than fresh fruits and vegetables. Be sure to look for the feature story “Healing Spaces” in the May/June issue of Healing Lifestyles & Spas.
http://www.healinglifestyles.com/index.php?page=jul2006-insight-gardens