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Green Space and Green Houses...(Long Sigh)


Finally...I went to the greenhouse!  One of my favorite places to go. 

Magical places where plants reach out to me as I walk down the aisles!  It is almost as if they are jumping right into my arms!  Touching various textures of velvet, hairy, smooth and delicate.  Sensory buffet of smells from the sweet, sharp and the musty smell of potting soil mixing together in amazing harmony!

With my bounty of found treasure I carry my package with great care to the car and then to my shed.  Tomorrow, I tell myself.  Tomorrow I will plant them.....but then I see that empty pot.  O.k. just one.  I'll just plant one tonight.

The vines have covered my livestock panels creating a beautiful green wall over the dilapidated fence.  My butterfly bush, Russian sage and other plants are knee high.  Day lillies and hostas are competing for attention.  A respite in my yard.

But it is not just me.  Our brains are wired to need green space.  Studies are proving what we know to be true.  Benefits of green infrastructure in the Report by Forest Research in October of 2010 synthesizes many studies showing time in a green space improves attention, cognitive ability and stress reduction.  Even in our small town we have a plethora of nature park, parks and places to get away.

Thinking of a vacation but you know it won't happen?  Take little ones every day.  Need a break or a sabbatical?  Take mini ones as often as you can.  My Survival Tool Box includes:

1.  Taking my lunch and sitting at the nature park or one of our local parks.
2.  Walking the cemetery.
3.  Walking in the back of my office on break. Or better yet using technology to sit outside and work!
4.  Creating a small respite for my family in our back yard.
5.  Walk through the greenhouse!
6.  Go for a drive in the country.  Turn OFF the radio and noise!

Have kids and don't think this is possible?  You have the perfect reason to get out.  When I had a child care center being outside was a given.  Parks, exploration, field trips and digging in the mud.  Kids need to be outside!

We spend millions on our health care, prescriptions, massage, therapies, recreation and get-a-ways.  When truly we have a wealth of intervention right outside our door!

Comments

  1. HuskerbabeMay 17, 2012 at 9:05 AM

    Nothing like sitting in my swing in the shade and relaxing while the kids play. Summer days...Ahhhh.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Heather Ann GillMay 18, 2012 at 9:07 PM

    I need a swing or a hammock! How is your garden growing?!

    ReplyDelete

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