How to create a
mindful garden It’s time to sow the seeds of a more sensory natural space Writing | Eliza Nicholas
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n today’s world, incredible advances in technology allow us to connect with our loved ones, wherever they are, but that can also come at a cost of feeling overwhelmed by being permanently connected and constantly bombarded with information. But, fortunately, there is no doubt that time spent
Illustrating | Rosan Magar
interacting with nature can be a welcome tonic for the mind and body. Mental health charity Mind explains that spending time in green spaces, or growing food and flowers, can have positive effects on mood, reducing feelings of stress, and helping us to feel more relaxed. If you’re keen to take up gardening, and want to develop a relaxing green space of your own, it can be tricky to know where to start. In order to create an environment that helps you switch off and become more mindful, it’s useful to think about the five senses when planning your space. By considering sound, sight, taste, touch, and smell, you can begin to develop a sensory garden that helps you tune-in to your surroundings, and provides a necessary break from the stressors of daily life.
1. SOUND Natural noises, such as rainfall and birdsong, are recognised as being peaceful and calming. Rather than listening to them via an app, you can easily tune-in to the real thing. Hanging bird feeders in sheltered spots, or placing a bird bath, will encourage and support wildlife numbers. Installing a bubbling water feature will mean gentle background noise in your garden, too. You should also consider that certain plants and trees, such as long grasses and willow, will create peaceful sounds in the wind, and that more dense foliage can help to block out unwanted noise from nearby roads. 2. TASTE Growing plants you can eat is a magical process. It’s hugely satisfying, and allows us to nurture and observe the development from small seeds to kitchen ingredients. Having an ongoing supply of spinach, beans, or salad leaves means you’ll spend less money at the supermarket, and avoid considerable amounts of plastic packaging. You’re also likely to waste less food, having appreciated the delicate growing process. If you’re a tea drinker, then it’s wonderful to grow herbs, such as mint, that can be infused in hot
