Renowned biologist, eco-psychologists and "green" builders agree that interaction with nature is vital to our wellbeing. Here are simple ways to add nature to each day.
Green living isn't just about sustainability – it's essential to our daily wellbeing. Getting a regular “nature” fix is critical to health according to Pulitzer Prize-winning conservation biologist Edward O. Wilson. Biophilia is a psychological theory championed by Wilson and embraced by ecopsychologists that asserts we have inherited a love of living things from our nature-dependent ancestors and must nurture this genetically encoded need in order to maintain harmony and balance in modern life.
Biophilia is one of the principles behind the current green building movement, and can easily be incorporated into anyone's lifestyle with just a few minor changes. Here are some tips for satisfying your biophilial urges and cultivating a more tranquil life:
- Start the day by connecting with something green. Sip tea or coffee on the patio, take a stroll through the garden or consciously observe landscaping on the way to work. Notice the way specific plants change through the seasons. Simply viewing nature can enhance your sense of wellbeing and start the day off on the right foot.
- Position fragrant herbs or vines in a spot you will experience the aroma daily. Put rosemary, thyme or basil in a kitchen window or honeysuckle or jasmine by the most frequently used door. Pay attention to individual scents.
- Spend some time with the birds and butterflies. Locate wildlife friendly plants, birdbath and feeders outside a window you gaze through often. Salvia, sunflowers and anything with berries will keep all kinds of critters coming around.
- Bring the sights and sounds of water into the home or garden. Fountains and water features are available in all shapes and sizes, so put one in a convenient spot. Turn off the TV and stereo and simply listen to the water or enjoy a still pond filled with water plants.
- Get outside on your lunch hour. Ditch the cell phone and mp3 player and go for a walk. Find a spot to take a break you never noticed before, preferably surrounded by greenery or under a tree. Make fresh air a midday habit.
- Don't underestimate the power of houseplants to cleanse your home and office. They can remove pollutants like formaldehyde, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, benzene, cigarette smoke and ozone. Aloe vera, bamboo palm, chrysanthemums, dracaena, philodendron, golden pothos, spider plant and schefflera make excellent air filters.
- Plant in hues of blue, purple, white and green, the colors of relaxation and tranquility. Surround your favorite garden chair with containers of sweet alyssum, white impatiens or begonias, verbena, torenia and interesting foliage plants like Persian shield, peacock ginger or coleus.
- Grow something with edible flowers and leaves to use in cool or hot drinks and salads. Nasturtiums, scented geraniums, pineapple or grapefruit sage, various mints and lemon verbena are lovely and fragrant in a variety of recipes.
- Soak in a tub scented with aromatic and healing herbs. Lavender, lemon balm, roses and jasmine are all easy garden plants that make soothing and cleansing additions to the bath.
- Turn off the evening news and venture into a moon garden right outside your door. Fill the garden with evening bloomers like moon vine, four o'clocks, evening primrose and angel's trumpet. Add a little mood lighting and some silver, white and pale yellow foliage like artemesia, sweet potato vine or caladiums to reflect the moon, and you have a cool, relaxing retreat!
The copyright of the article Connecting with Nature Matters in Green/Simple Living is owned by Karen Lawrence. Permission to republish Connecting with Nature Matters in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
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