No one can live without experiencing some degree of stress in life. In fact, stress is not necessarily bad for you, & almost any emotion can trigger the body's stress response that adds that adrenalin push we need to get going. The human body is very well equipped to handle Life's shorter term stressors by activating its automatic alarms, then bringing it back down into balance again once the stressor is over...this is called "homeostasis". However long term, chronic or persistent stress is being produced in our daily demanding lifestyles and is more and more producing stress disorders on people.
The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) reports nearly 25 million Americans suffer from some form of anxiety disorder: Panic attacks, Obsessive-Compulsive disorder, Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), Post traumatic stress disorder, and Phobias- both simple and complex.
"Looking at familiar faces, even pictures, may help you feel less stressed. The look of a familiar face appears to soothe anxieties and decrease the stress response, according to a new study. Finding the familiar face in a photograph produces the same effect. So to lower your stress levels, spend time with friends and family and keep photos on hand for times when they can't be near."
Face pictures reduce behavioural, autonomic, endocrine and neural indices of stress and fear in sheep.
Da Costa AP, Leigh AE, Man MS, Kendrick KM.
Proceedings of the Royal Society of London. Series B. Biological Sciences : Biological Sciences
2004 Oct 7;271(1552):2077-2084
Gardening is therapeutic. For many, "horticultural therapy" or occupational therapy can assist in decreasing levels of anxiety, stress, or depression. People with all types of health conditions, children, even prison inmates, are encouraged to learn about new plants and envision creative ways to arrange them in the ground as a way to learn how to gain a sense of accomplishment and improve self-image.
Gardening is spiritual. Aside from delighting your senses with color, texture and smell, gardening enables you to connect with nature. Digging your hands through the soil and handling delicate plants can feed the soul.
Gardening is exercise. Gardening is a moderate-level activity that improves your flexibility through bending and stretching, and has been shown to lower blood pressure and cholesterol levels. Follow regular aerobic exercise (like walking), for maximum benefits.
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