There is a physiological effect on our body when we garden. Getting our hands in the dirt discharges static electricity from our body, whilst electrons from the earth flow into us. We are literally having an exchange of energy and this is what it means to be grounded.

But it isn’t just gardening that benefits our mind and body, nature has the same effect. “If we consider the intimate relation of the mind upon the nervous system then we can understand how it is that beautiful natural scenery employs the mind without fatigue and yet exercises it, tranquilises it and enlivens it and thus, through the influence of the mind over the body gives the effect of refreshing rest and reinvigoration to the whole system.” Frederick Law-Olmsted, designer of New York’s Central Park.

Green is a calming colour so being amidst the plants of our garden, in a park or in nature lowers sympathetic nervous arousal and reduces blood pressure. It takes just 30 minutes in nature to reduce levels of the stress hormone cortisol.

Being in nature directly impacts our well-being and that is why I chose to locate my studio amongst trees and plants. If you live in a city, take advantage of any green space you can. Walk to work through a park. Enjoy your lunch break under a tree. Fill your home with house plants, especially oxygenating ones that clean the air!

You probably do this anyway. Subconsciously, we know what is good for us!

To read more about the effects of nature on our physiology, I recommend reading The Well Gardened Mind by Sue Stuart Smith from where I took the quote above.