The
by Alan Ray
Healing
P werof
Gardens
During the COVID-19 pandemic, tens of
thousands of people around the globe have
turned to gardening to help them cope.
These gardens help people stay fit, positive,
and nourished. Longtime gardener and MY
contributor Alan Ray wanted to dig a little
deeper into the psychology of gardening,
so he tapped wellness expert Seth J. Gillihan
for some answers.
Throughout time, gardens have held a special place for
us. The legendary Hanging Gardens of Babylon are
considered one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World,
Adam and Eve honeymooned in a garden, and the stunning
100-year-old Butchart Gardens on Vancouver Island is still
regarded as one of the most beautiful in the world. Gardens
have a trifecta effect on us. They can touch us physically,
mentally, and spiritually. They can even help heal us.
A CORNUCOPIA OF GOOD THINGS
Just being outdoors again after a long, cold winter is good for
the body, mind, and soul with its warm, vitamin D-infused
sunshine and the sweet songs of happy little birds — uplifting.
But by the time spring returns, the body could use a little exercise
to work out the stiffness and loosen up those winterized
muscles. Working in a garden is an excellent way to do that.
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Maximum Yield