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Top 10 Amazon Products for Houseplant Owners

Growing indoor houseplants can be a rewarding and enjoyable form of self care. With more people spending time alone inside their homes due the COVID-19 pandemic, houseplants have become very popular. While caring for plants is quite easy and low maintenance, there are a few extra products for houseplant owners that can enhance the experience. One of the most convenient places to get some of these extra products for a houseplant is via Amazon. Here are some of my favorites.

Planters + Pots

8 Pack Plastic Plant Pots with Drainage Holes — Amazon.ca

Planters and pots are one of the most important products for houseplant owners. Not only do they set the tone for the aesthetic of your home decor, but they can also make a difference in the overall health of your plant. I’m talking about drainage! This 8 pack of plastic pots with drainage holes is not only a great deal, but it’s the perfect minimalist look that will allow your houseplant’s foliage to be the star of the show. These tiny planters are another way to showcase your collection of small succulents with shallow roots.

Plant Baskets

Seagrass Belly Basket with Fiddle Leaf Fig Tree — Amazon.ca

If you’re not ready to splurge on a new pot, or prefer to keep your plants in their nursery pots, then baskets are a great way to hide them, especially for bigger plants. Seagrass belly baskets add a boho flair to any home decor. Woven rope baskets are also popular and come in different sizes. Baskets with handles can easily be hung for trailing plants. Whatever type of baskets you choose for your houseplants, make sure that you can easily take them in and out for watering, or look for baskets that have a plastic liner to keep them dry.

Plant Stands

Of course plant stands aren’t a necessity, but they do have several benefits. Lifting plants up off the ground can help get them closer to the sunlight. If you have any toxic houseplants, then this also keeps them out of reach of curious kids and pets . Minimalist, mid-century modern plant stands are really trendy right now and can be used a variety of ways (this one’s a two pack!) If you have the space, you can also invest in a larger plant stand that’s 5 tiers or more.

Plant Hangers

Hanging plants will never go out of style. If you own a few trailing or vining plants, like the ever-popular string of hearts or a variety of pothos, then you know that they need lots of room to hang down. Macrame plant hangers are a product for houseplant owners that have recently made a huge comeback from the 70’s. It’s an easy DIY project, or you can purchase this set of 5 with all the hardware included.

Propagation Station

If you love to propagate your plants, then this is a product for houseplant owners that you definitely need! Little test tube sized bottles are the perfect size for individual cuttings and allow lots of room for new roots to grow downwards. You can get tabletop propagation stations or ones that hang in front of a window or mount to the wall. It’s a great way to display your cuttings around your home while patiently waiting for those roots to start growing!

Humidifiers

Indoor tropical plants thrive with humidity, as it re-creates their natural environment. In the dry winter months, you may want to supplement with a humidifier to avoid crispy leaves. There are several natural ways to increase the humidity in your home, but you can also use a cool-mist humidifier or essential oil diffuser around your plants. These mini humidifiers are popular products among houseplant owners. An eco friendly solution is this in-vent humidifier that replaces your standard heat register with one that you fill with water.

Grow Lights

Grow lights are a new product that houseplant owners have been adding to their arsenal. The depressing dark, winter months often lead to houseplants going into a state of dormancy. But with the use of full spectrum grow lights, houseplant owners can enjoy new growth and even flowers year round. If you’re not a fan of the bright pink of full spectrum lights, then you can get white grow lights that clip onto your plant stand or shelf, or some that have their own stand. The simplest option, of course, would be to replace a standard light bulb with a grow light bulb in a lamp near your plants.

Support Poles + Trellises

Moss poles are a popular product for houseplant owners, especially for plants like Monsteras that like to climb. Unfortunately, you can’t get true sphagnum moss poles on Amazon (but if you want to DIY your own moss pole, you can buy packages of dry sphagnum moss). But these ones made of coco coir work just as great. Multipacks that connect together are great for long term growth. Using a trellis for your smaller climbing plants is another great option and they come in different shapes such as a circle, ladder or leaf style.

Pruning Tools

For the longest time, a pair of old kitchen scissors was all I used to prune my houseplants. And yes, it worked. But then I discovered what a difference having the right tools makes. A pointy pair of snippers makes it so much easier to get into hard to reach places. And a strong set of clippers that makes a clean cut is less traumatic for the plant and speeds up both recovery and rooting. Plus, it’s easier to keep them clean and bacteria free.

Sticky Traps

Fungus gnats, am I right? Who knew such a tiny bug could be so annoying? While they don’t do much harm to the plants, they are a pain in the butt, always flitting around, laying their eggs and swarming up from the wet soil. Yellow sticky traps are one product that houseplant owners swear by. Yes, there are other ways to get rid of them but it’s always a good practice to have a few sticky traps in your plant’s pot to catch the odd one before it multiplies.

Remember, the most important products that houseplant owners need for their plants to thrive is warm sunlight and fresh water, and these are things that only Mother Nature herself can provide. Don’t stress out about having all the right products, either. One of the best things about houseplants is that they’ll still grow well even with a little bit of neglect.

Have a favorite Amazon find for your houseplants? Leave a comment below!

This is Why Houseplants Have Become Popular During the Pandemic

I have been a crazy plant lady for many years now, but it runs in my family. Both my mother and grandmother have homes filled with tropical plants, and it is from them that I inherited my first houseplants. But in 2020, the year of the Covid-19 pandemic, houseplants were all anyone could seem to talk about. So why this sudden surge that’s quickly become an addiction for so many? Here are a few reasons why houseplants have suddenly become so popular during this pandemic.

This is Why Houseplants Have Become Some Popular During the Pandemic — *This post contains affiliate and/or paid links which means that if you click on one of these links and buy a product, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. Rest assured that I only recommend products that I love from companies that I trust. Furthermore, I am not a medical professional and nothing in this post should be taken as medical advice. I am simply a mother who has been there and lived to tell the tale.

They Keep Us Company

Houseplants, similar to pets, are alive, but they cannot talk back to us. This makes them excellent listeners. While self-isolation and social distancing have left us all alone and locked up in our houses, we have our houseplants to keep us company. Despite the fact that they cannot actually speak, they DO communicate with us. They tell us if they are happy by sprouting a new leaf or flower. They droop when they are thirsty. Their leaves fall off when they are sick or uncomfortable. Because of these things, simply being alone in a room full of houseplants makes us feel a little less lonely.

They Make Us Focus On The Future

Even houseplants that go dormant in the winter still grow, no matter how slowly. Houseplants remind us to never stop growing, never stop living. While the pandemic might have turned our world upside down, our green friends continue to thrive and grow and change with the seasons. They may lose a leaf or get cut down, but they will grow again. Houseplants are an example of persistence and steadfastness, of never losing hope that we will come back from whatever problems we face.

They Have So Many Health Benefits

The health benefits of houseplants are numerous. They clean and detoxify the air inside of our homes. With the coronavirus pandemic being spread through the air, this makes owning a few air cleansing houseplants very appealing. Many plants are grown for their medicinal benefits as well, such as Aloe Vera and Lavender. A lot of herbs can also be grown indoors that are used to treat ailments all naturally.

They Reduce Anxiety and Depression

Just as houseplants benefit our physical health, they also offer respite for our mental health as well. Having a living plant inside our homes can reduce levels of anxiety and irritability. Studies have shown that houseplants can improve heart rate and blood pressure. They make us feel calmer and more at peace. Plants also make people happy. Flowering houseplants can be a great mood booster, especially for those battling seasonal depression during the winter.

They’re Collectable

Those on the hunt for a clipping of a rare houseplant will tell you there’s no better thrill in life. Groups are popping up all over the country filled with houseplant collectors looking to buy, sell or trade a clipping or two. With hundreds of varieties available, houseplants have become the latest treasure hunt prize. Some find themselves trying to collect all the different varieties of a single species. Others want a wide array of succulents and cacti. Some pride themselves in “rescuing” half dead houseplants from grocery store aisles. Once you get a taste of the world of raising houseplants, it’s nearly impossible to stop.

They Give Us a Sense of Accomplishment

Is there a better feeling in the world than growing something from nothing? Or bringing a plant back from the edge of death? The pride that comes along with growing lush, beautiful houseplants is unlike any other. In fact, bringing an over or underwatered plant back to it’s former glory is one of my favorite pastimes. There are so many things in life we can be proud of (raising three kids included) but none give us quite the satisfaction of seeing our hard work “grow.”

They Make Our Space Beautiful

Interior decorating using houseplants is one style that works for everyone, no matter your taste. This new outlet for creativity has opened the door for makers of plant stands, plant hangers, woven baskets, moss poles, trellises and more! A simple space filled with plants has now become the most desirable room in the house. With more people spending so much time in their homes due to the pandemic, it’s no wonder they want to make it the most beautiful space possible.

They Are So Easy to Care For

Unlike adopting a pet, which has been another popular pandemic craze, houseplants are easy to care for. They don’t require daily maintenance and some even thrive on neglect. A little bit of water and sunshine is all you need. While many are investing in grow lights and humidifiers, it’s definitely not a necessity. There is such a large range of plants from low to high maintenance that anyone can find one (or a few) that suit their schedule.

They Offer Us a Challenge

While the majority of houseplants are low maintenance, there are those few that no one can seem to keep alive. These infamous plants offer up a challenge to those houseplant gardeners who want to prove their worth. Cultivating the most beautiful and healthy Calathea or growing a tall Fiddle Leaf Fig Tree in your home gives you some bragging rights. Perhaps propagating is the challenge you seek? Growing new plants from cuttings or succulent leaves can be so rewarding… if you succeed.

They Don’t Break the Bank

While many addictions end up costing a fortune to maintain, raising houseplants doesn’t have to cost you anything at all. Grow an entire tree from a discarded avocado or fruit seed. In fact, you can grow almost anything from leftover vegetable scraps that would normally end up in the trash. Take a clipping from a friend’s plant, it costs them nothing to give it to you. If you have your own little collection of plants, look into propagating them and then trade them for new plants. While the houseplant accessory industry might be taking off, the truth is, you don’t need anything fancy to simply grow a plant.

These are just a few of the reasons why houseplants have become the latest pandemic craze. If you have another reason, please leave it in the comments! I firmly believe that anyone can grow houseplants, even the self-proclaimed “black thumbs.” And with all the all physical and mental health benefits of owning houseplants, why wouldn’t you? They are often easy to propagate, so you can get more from nothing. And when this pandemic is over and everyone goes back to their normal lives, you will have an urban jungle to enjoy for years to come.

25 Easy Self Care Ideas That Will Get You Outdoors

Self care can be easier than you think…

Being outdoors has several incredible benefits for moms, but it’s not always easy to do. Trying to juggle kids, plus housework – it’s not uncommon for a stay at home mom’s outdoor exposure to be limited to an open window. And when we do get outside, it’s usually to chase after the kids or do more work outdoors. Some of these self care ideas can help moms get outdoors with the sole intention of rest and relaxation.

Try one of these outdoor self care ideas this summer!

25 Easy Outdoor Self Care Ideas — *This post contains affiliate and/or paid links which means that if you click on one of these links and buy a product, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. Rest assured that I only recommend products that I love from companies that I trust.

1. Go for a walk or run around the block

One of the easiest outdoor self care ideas is to go for a walk or jog around your own neighborhood. It doesn’t cost anything, require any scheduling or take up much time. Whether you’re in the mood for a marathon run or just a leisurely stroll – your own neighborhood is the best place to start!

2. Pump your legs on a playground swing

Moms always seem to get the boring jobs at playgrounds. We stand at the bottom of slides, push our kids on the swings and hold their legs as they attempt to make their way across the monkey bars. Instead of being a playground servant – free your inner child and go for a swing or a slide!

3. Visit an outdoor spa

Outdoor spas are becoming more and more popular these days. The benefits of fresh air and nature are unmatched by anything else. Check out a Scandinavian-style spa, a hot spring, or soak in an outdoor hot tub.

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4. Take a hike or follow a forest trail

Hiking can be intimidating to anyone, especially a mother fresh off of postpartum recovery or who has to take little ones along with her. Strolling down a well maintained path through the forest still has a lot of benefits. For the more adventurous mom, make a bucket list of trails that you’d like to conquer and check one off as often as possible.

5. Relax in a hammock

Nothing says relaxation quite like napping in a hammock on a hot summer day. The gentle swaying motion is sure to lull you into a relaxed state, just like a baby in a cradle. Plus, the light summer breeze and sunshine on your face provides the perfect atmosphere.

6. Spend some time gardening

Another excellent self care idea is to start a backyard garden. Digging your bare hands or feet into the soil is actually good for your mental health, as soil contains a special bacteria that works like a natural antidepressant. Caring for a garden is sure to get you outdoors all summer long and at the end of the season, you’ll have a healthy batch of crops to show for it!

7. Go for a bike ride

Park the minivan and go for a bike ride instead. It’s not a practical form of transportation for everyday life, but going for a bike ride regularly has it’s benefits. Biking improves your physical health and can be an enjoyable form of self care, either alone or with the whole family. If you want to lose weight or get fit, you can amp up the intensity of your rides to burn calories faster. Cycling interval training, which is essentially alternating between periods of low-intensity and high-intensity cycling, can provide the workout to help your shed off those extra pounds and get more fit. For interval training, using cycling tools, such as a power meter and a heart-rate monitor, can help ensure that you make every session count and that you accomplish your goals.

8. Enjoy a picnic in the park

Another simple activity to get you outdoors is to eat one of your meals picnic-style. You can go to a park or eat in your own backyard. Spread a picnic blanket or gather around an outdoor table. Go out on your own, with your spouse or as an entire family… the kids will love it just as much as you will.

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9. Shop a local farmers market

Local farmers markets sell much more than just fruit and vegetables these days. You can find all kinds of organic, locally made things like health and beauty products, jewelry, clothing and so much more! Not only is it wonderful to support local businesses, but you’ll get your hands on food and products that are so much better for your health.

10. Camp out for a night or two

Camping is not for everyone. In fact, most mothers with small children will swear that it’s more work than anything else. Even “glamping“ has it’s pitfalls. Once traveling out of town becomes safer, you should definitely try camping outdoors. It will do wonders for your and your family’s mental health to be surrounded by nature after being cooped inside for months. For outdoor activities, a lightweight backpack for travelers is indispensable for all your camping essentials.

11. Pick some wildflowers

Fresh flowers have a way of brightening up anyone’s home. One of the simplest self care ideas is to pick some yourself. Obviously, don’t invade your neighbor’s prize tulips, but anyone with a lilac bush will surely be glad to let you help trim it back. Fields and parks are usually full of all kinds of wildflowers. Or sprinkle some wildflower seeds in your yard this spring and have an abundant supply all summer long.

12. Go for a boat ride

Being on the water in a middle of a lake is a wonderful way to help clear your mind. You can literally get away from it all. Choose a hot day because there’s nothing quite like the breeze off the water. But beware, the rocking motion of a boat can be soothing for some – not so much for others.

Self Care Routine for a Stay at Home Mom — .

13. Volunteer to walk a dog from a pet shelter

If you don’t have your own furry friend to take along with you on walks, then check out if your local pet shelter needs volunteers. The dogs there are always in need of some extra love and you can both benefit from spending some time together.

14. Paint your nails

What’s the most annoying thing about painting your nails? Waiting for them to dry. Use that as an excuse to get outside and stay outside. Paint your nails and then relax in a lounge chair without any need to get up. You can even try a face mask, soak your feet or exfoliate your skin outdoors. Take the pampering outdoors, I promise you wont regret it.

15. Swim or float in a lake or outdoor pool

Swimming is a great low-impact exercise and perfect for hot summer days. If you’re looking for something more relaxing, then blow up an inflatable tube and float around on the water without a care.

Intex Canopy Island Pool Float — Amazon.com

16. Build a bird house, bat house or bee hive

Sometimes stress and frustration can build up and come out in undesirable ways. Finding a creative outlet for all those pent up emotions is a great form of self care. Try building your own bird house or bat house for your yard. Not only will you be doing nature a favor, but you can help control the pesky mosquito population. If you have a garden, making your own bee hive can increase your crop production!

17. Spend a night star gazing

If it’s a clear night outside, lay down a blanket and watch the stars. Head outside the city and away from the street lights for a better view. Star gazing is a great form of stress and anxiety relief and can remind you of just how small your problems are in this giant world.

18. Sit on the beach

A beach day is one of my favorite self care ideas. Get out your lounge chair or blanket, a beach umbrella and some sunglasses and relax in the sand. Dig your feet into the wet sand to exfoliate and massage them. Cool yourself off in the water. Listen to the sounds of the waves, the seagulls and the children playing.

19. Visit a greenhouse or garden center

Greenhouses are fantastic places to look for inspiration for your own backyard. From plants and flowers to water features and deck ideas, you can create your own back yard self care sanctuary. Focusing on an outdoor project can help keep your mind sharp and distracted in a good way.

20. Have a bonfire

Sitting around a bonfire is an excellent stress reliever. The smell of the wood, and crackling of the flames is a feast for the senses. Roast marshmallows or hot dogs if you want to. It’s a nice treat anytime of the day, not just for nights at the cabin.

21. Visit a farm

Spending time with animals is great for our mental health and considered a form of ecotherapy. There are usually lots of local farms that open up to visitors. You can pet animals, ride horses, climb up hay bales, milk a cow or collect eggs from the hen house.

22. Watch the sunrise

While I would never deliberately encourage a mom to lose out on sleep – getting up early to watch the sunrise can be totally worth it. The way the sunlight moves slowly over everything is breathtaking. You can meditate, do yoga or just sip some hot coffee. It’s an amazing way to start the day.

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23. Do some fruit picking

Spend the day at an orchard or strawberry farm. Not only will you get to experience the beauty of it all, but you’ll get to go home with some fresh, organic fruit as a result.

24. Take nature pictures

Whether you’re an amateur photographer or a selfie queen, nature provides an endless supply of photo ops. Try taking pictures of the birds, the trees or a sunset. If you get a really good shot, have it printed and framed and you’ve just created a free piece of art for your walls.

25. Dance in the rain

Getting outdoors isn’t reserved just for the hot summer days. Even rain storms can be beautiful. The next time it rains, don’t run and hide. Ditch the umbrella, kick off your shoes and dance in the rain. Embrace it and let all your cares wash away.

25 Outdoor Self Care Ideas

16 Ways Ecotherapy is Good for Moms

Ecotherapy is the act of using the healing benefits of nature to improve our mental health.

Sometimes referred to “nature therapy” or “green therapy,” ecotherapy has several amazing benefits for moms. In our modern, industrialized world, we spend so much more time indoors than we do outside in nature, and it’s starting to have a tangible effect on our mental health.

Ecotherapy is a broad term used to describe all kinds of outdoor activities that have health benefits. These can include everything from the simple act of sitting outdoors in the sunshine to hiking and mountain climbing. With benefits for the entire family, it’s a great way for moms to spend time with the kids as well as take care of themselves.

Here are some ways that moms can benefit from some of the various forms of ecotherapy.

1. Fresh Air

The obvious benefit of getting outdoors is simply to enjoy the fresh air. Inhaling fresh air, as opposed to the circulated, stale indoor air, is a great way to clear our minds and bodies. A little bit of fresh air everyday can help ward off headaches and congestion, and is great for our overall health. For those who live in crowded, busy cities, it’s worth it to get out to the country side every once in a while for a decent dose of fresh air. It’s something that far too many of us take for granted.

2. Sunshine

Warm sunshine is another building block of ecotherapy. Exposure to sun can top off our vitamin D levels, which is super important for maintaining our serotonin levels and avoiding seasonal affective disorder. Vitamin D is also important in calcium absorption, can lower your blood pressure and even help you lose weight! But make sure to protect your skin while outside, the sun’s power is both great and dangerous.

3. Physical Activity

Ecotherapy works because being outdoors has a way of inspiring us to explore, run and play. When it’s a beautiful day out, we don’t want to waste it by staying inside watching television. Just walking outdoors for an hour each day is enough to boost our moods and help us to live healthier lives. Often, the elements of nature can encourage us to take up more extreme forms of physical activity, such as hiking, biking, swimming or mountain climbing. The opportunities to get our heart pumping and work up a sweat while out in nature are endless.

4. Stimulates The Senses

It’s rare to find a form of therapy that can stimulate all of our senses at once. But ecotherapy does just that. When we’re out in nature, we feel the sun’s warmth, the delicate tickle of green grass on our toes or a light breeze against our skin. We smell the fresh air, flowers, earth and the wood of the trees. We hear birds singing, leaves rustling in the wind and the gentle trickling of water. We see flowers and landscapes in all different colors and shapes. We taste sweet berries or fruit freshly picked from the trees. Simply being outdoors is a feast for the senses.

5. Spending Time With Animals

Ecotherapy also includes spending time with animals and experiencing the benefits of some of nature’s greatest gifts. Spending time with animals can help to reduce our stress levels and boost our moods. You don’t need to have your own pet in order to get the benefits of pet therapy. A visit to a farm, petting zoo, animal shelter or even just some simple bird watching under the advice of Garrett from Birding Hub, is like an instant mood booster without all the responsibility of raising your own pet.

6. Talking in Nature

Talking about feelings can be difficult for a lot of people. Especially so for moms battling a perinatal mood or anxiety disorder such as postpartum depression. Many people find it comforting to talk while going for a walk outdoors. The distraction of the sights and sounds can ease tension or awkward silence. The physical act of walking while talking can actually encourage the mind to open up even more, because it’s now being asked to multitask and thus feels less inhibited. So the next time you have something important to discuss with someone – try inviting them on a stroll through the park.

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7. Digging in the Dirt

Contrary to popular belief, dirt is not dirty. Pure, rich soil from the earth is actually really good for you! By digging your bare hands (or feet) into the dirt, you can absorb the good bacteria known as Mycobacterium vaccae which is a natural antidepressant and can improve your overall health and immune system. Ecotherapy is all about ditching the gardening gloves and flip flops and becoming one with the dirt!

8. Gardening

Since you’re already barefoot and ankle deep in dirt, you might as well plant a garden while you’re at it. There are so many health benefits of gardening that it’s the most popular form of ecotherapy. In addition the health benefits you get directly from the soil, caring for a garden is a great way to nurture your motherly instincts. Planting seeds and watching them grow into full grown plants will give you a sense of pride and accomplishment.

9. Eat a Healthier Diet

We would all love to eat farm fresh fruit and vegetables everyday, but it’s a sad fact that healthier food often tends to cost more at the local grocery store. Instead, grow healthy fruit and vegetables in your own garden. Not only will it be organic, but it will be free! A healthy diet is especially important for moms battling a perinatal mood or anxiety disorder, as well as for children of all ages. Everyone in the family will be much more inclined to eat food that they’ve grown themselves.

10. Cultivate Healing Herbs

In addition to healthy fruit and vegetables, you can also grow certain herbs that offer medicinal benefits. Lavender, Chamomile and Valerian are popular ones, especially to help with sleep and reduce stress. Peppermint, rosemary, oregano, thyme and basil are great for cooking but their oils have several healing benefits as well. St. John’s Wort, known for it’s natural antidepressant properties, can easily be grown in any herb garden. There are so many different herbs available that you can grow easily and always have on hand when you need them.

11. Boosts Confidence

Growing your own plants from seedlings is a real confidence booster. In a world where parenting is so complicated and full of different opinions and methods – gardening takes you back to the beginning. Plants don’t need complicated methods – they need soil, water and sunlight to thrive. Being able to produce fruit or flowers from a tiny seed can give you a sense of pride and confidence in yourself.

12. Sleep Better

When you combine all of the fresh air, sunshine and physical activity, it adds up to one thing – a better night’s sleep! This holds true for both moms and babies. Ecotherapy is an excellent course of treatment for those with insomnia as it reduces the common culprits: stress, anxiety and depression. Try taking a nap outdoors, in a hammock or on a blanket in the grass. Between the warm sun, light breeze and bird songs you’re sure to feel relaxed. Who needs a white noise machine with “nature sounds” when you can get the live version in your own backyard?

13. Community

Spending time alone in nature is incredibly peaceful, but ecotherapy can also be done as a community. Community gardens, stroller walking groups at the park or even yoga on the beach are all great forms of ecotherapy that can help to encourage social skills. Once you find an activity that you enjoy doing outdoors, reach out to see if others want to join you or if there is already a group of like-minded people who gather regularly. Being outdoors increases the probability that you will encounter and socialize with others in your community, which is great for your mental health.

14. An Outlet for Anger

Ecotherapy can also help with anger management issues. Try bushwhacking some hedges when you’re feeling frustrated and full of rage. Kick some rocks or punch a tree – I promise, they can handle it. Sitting alone in nature is also a great place to find peace. Meditate, even speak out loud to the plants, insects, animals and trees. They make great listeners and they won’t judge you or tell your secrets. It might sound silly, but saying something out loud, regardless of who is listening or not, is a lot different than simply thinking about it.

15. Reduces Anxiety

A major cause of anxiety for many people is the thought of death, illness or harm. Spending time observing nature can give us a better appreciation of the life cycle and realize that everything happens for a reason. The old leaves fall off the trees to make way for new growth. Plants sprout from a single seed, produce their fruit, get old and wither. Their fruit grows several new plants and the cycle continues again. We see some plants lost to neighborhood rabbits, others to nature’s elements. And we realize that all life has a meaning and purpose.

16. Find Hope for the Future

Taking care of the earth, whether it’s in the form of gardening, raising animals or simply observing nature around you, is one way to remain hopeful. A mother suffering from postpartum depression, for example, may have trouble seeing the future beyond all of the darkness. Ecotherapy reminds us all that life, like nature, continues despite bad weather, cold, darkness and drought. Even when things seem at their worst, the sun will come out again and all will be well.

Benefits of Ecotherapy