Finding your peaceful haven
Looking for peace and serenity? Then step outside into your garden. Alistair Griffiths, RHS Director of Science and Collections, explains the critical importance of outdoor spaces for our sense of wellbeing
Colour has a huge effect on our emotions. Plants with strong colours such as intense reds, oranges and yellows excite the emotions. They make us feel happy and help us recharge. At the opposite side of the spectrum blues and greens are relaxing and calming – sit among them if you’re looking for some restful time.
Look closely at plants – there are plenty with repeated patterns in them which are helpful to us. They're known as fractals – repeated shapes of ever decreasing or increasing scale. They're found throughout nature, for example, in the patterns in green ferns or the branching in trees. We're drawn to fractals because they’re easy to process, so looking at them takes the brain gently ‘offline’, allowing it time to recalibrate.
In Nick Bailey's The Winton Beauty of Mathematics Garden, which was designed for RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2016, the fractals in the plants he chose are clearly visible
Enjoy the dawn chorus
Gardens that attract birds and insects by providing food, shelter, and nesting sites are beneficial to us humans just as much as the wildlife. Restore your mind by simply going out into your garden, closing your eyes, and listening to the different birds around you. Listening to birdsong is soothing. Interestingly, hearing a variety of bird songs is thought to be more restorative than hearing just one type. The songs of the dunnock, blackbird, robin, and wren are all said to have positive restorative powers.
Unlock your senses
A garden is a sensory treat, full of colour, patterns, smells, sounds, textures and tastes. As it grows, it takes our senses on a journey. Soft raindrops, warm breezes carrying scents, the crunch of autumn leaves and the ethereal effect of winter frosts – simply enjoying these natural sensory experiences has been shown to boost our wellbeing.
Gardens are places to play and relax, stimulating the senses and helping us unwind mentally
The call of the robin, a common garden visitor, is thought to be helpful
Being in a garden makes us feels good, is soothing, tunes us in to the present and connects us to the natural world. Even the smallest garden can help calm a stressed-out mind. Natural environments are known to reduce physiological stress and negative emotion. They distract our attention, allowing the recovery of a tired mind. Gardening activities such as weeding and watering can help to put you into a ‘flow state’, immersing you fully in the present and distracting you from the daily grind.
Powerful scents
Scents unlock powerful memories, improve mood, increase alertness, reduce stress and anxiety and can even reduce blood pressure. Scented plants such as lavender and rosemary have therapeutic qualities. Try growing a prostrate rosemary in a hanging basket and the scent at head height will help boost your brain power and improve your memory, or put a flowering lavender plant or harvested flower stems by your bedside to help you get a good night’s sleep.
Site lavender by your garden seating to enjoy the scent of the essential oil
Add a few of your favourite herbs to pots for a regular supply that will benefit your diet
Supercharge the nutritional value of your diet
Plants are packed with essential vitamins, minerals, fibre and phytochemicals (plant chemicals), and are low in fat and calories. This makes them a vital constituent for a healthy diet, helping to lower the risk of cancers and heart disease. Select, grow, collect, store and cook a wide variety of edible flowers and herbs. Choosing to eat different colours of fruit and vegetables will help deliver unsurpassed flavour and nutritional value all year around.
