Has the latest news gotten you confused, angry, upset or bored. Take a walk. Get outside and “smell the roses”.

Spending time in nature gives people an increased feeling of vitality, increasing their energy levels and making them feel more animated. Their performance levels are, in turn, increased by this improved state of mind. Natural environments induce a positive outlook on life, making people feel more alive and active. When people experience increased vigor, they put more of themselves and their energy into their work. Plants can help people to improve their performance at work and at home by increasing their perceived vitality and giving them more feelings of added energy. (Bernstein 2009, Brethour 2007, Bringslimark 2007, Dravigne 2008, Etcoff 2007, Kaplan 1995, Kuo 2001a, Pennsylvania Landscape and Nursery Assn. 2009, Rappe 2005, Shoemaker 1992, Univ. of Rochester 2010)

For many of us, our natural environment is just outside our front door. With the current “Stay at Home” decree in Orange County, we are still encouraged to get outside for exercise. Walk around the block. Take some mental notes of what the neighbors are growing in their yards and maybe there will be something you would like to grow in your yard when this is over in 14 short days.

Give a try, it will be good for you and don’t forget to follow the COVID-19 precautions and warnings, especially social distancing while you are walking around the block.

We are all in this together.

0