Feeling stressed? Head to the Garden

Spring is here and that means flowers, nature in bloom everywhere, and as I just recently learned while working on an article for AOL Body (11 Reasons to Love Spring): the potential for improved health. While doing research for the article, I had the opportunity to discover a new reason to love spring, which is -- at the risking of sounding touchy-feely -- the healing powers of gardening.

"Watching something grow and even smelling flowers can have an impact on someone's health," says Mary Beth Miller, a horticultural therapist with Gardening for Good. A horticultural what? No, not a therapist for plants, but someone who helps her (human) patients address mental or physical health problems through gardening and connecting with nature.

What are the health benefits? The Horticultural Therapy Institute says this unique brand of therapy:

• Provides meaningful, purposeful activity
• Addresses innate psychological needs and connection with the natural world
• Offers restoration and respite from mental stress
• Encourages human growth that is fundamental and central to each individual served.

Not everyone has to sign up for horticultural therapy sessions to benefit.

Taking care of a plant on your own can teach nurturing and self-esteem, says Miller.

"That's honestly how I got started in gardening at a young age," Miller explained. "I put some seeds in the ground and I watched it grow. I felt like 'I did that.' That was a sense of accomplishment for me...That gives people something to look forward to, and to feel positive about. For someone who may feel stressed out, and think I'm never getting anywhere, ....it can make you feel like it's awesome."

It teaches us patience, too, says Miller. "Mother nature doesn't happen at the click of a mouse. Watch the process. That is the beauty of it. It doesn't happen over night. You have to be patient and enjoy the process and that gives you satisfaction."

Her advice:

"This is the beginning of the planting season -- encourage them to check local garden centers for when things are about to come out. Give themselves five minutes to stop for 5 minutes and enjoy what's around them."

Gardening isn't the only reason to love spring, find out more reasons here.

What do you love about spring?