Spring is coming, can you feel it? I’m loving the fact that my lovely sunsets are happening a bit later each day. In a few days here in the Berkshires, daylight savings will begin.
And, a week and a half later, Spring will officially arrive on the calendar.
Hope. That’s what I feel now. Hope. Hope for warmer weather, gardening, hiking, enjoying the lake, and more joy in our lives. More exercise, which gets the endorphins pumping, more veggies on the table as we polish off the last of the winter squash and enjoy new fresh veggies from the farm stands that are re-opening.
I’m also looking forward to neighbors coming back from Florida or other southern states. I’m the only full-time, year-round resident on my street and one of only a handful in my neighborhood. It will be good to see more people out walking around again.
What are you looking forward to this spring? Will you get out walking or running? Or maybe start a backyard garden? Will you be able to get enough sleep at night to do all that you want to do? I’d love to hear your plans. Let me know in the comments!
If we plan now, we’ll be ready when mother nature brings on the sunshine and warmer weather.
I’ve picked out my seeds so I’m ready to plant my garden. About half of my summer veggies are planted and grow from seeds; the other half, I’ll start from seedlings that I buy from a nearby nursery. I like to start lettuce and other greens, that grow when it’s a bit on the cold side, right away. I can enjoy them early, plant more when those are done, and so enjoy them later as well. Things that I’ll only get one planting from, like my green beans, I plant from seeds.
I’m already excited about planting this year’s garden. There’s nothing like working in the soil. I rarely use gloves as I like to feel the soil on my hands.
Did you know that there’s a natural antidepressant in soil? It’s true. Mycobacterium vaccae is the substance under study and has been found to mirror the effect on neurons that drugs like Prozac provide. The bacterium is found in soil and may stimulate serotonin production, which makes you relaxed and happier. Studies were conducted on cancer patients and they reported a better quality of life and less stress. Lack of serotonin has been linked to depression, anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorders, and bipolar disorders. These soil bacteria appear to be a natural antidepressant that has no adverse health effects and may be as easy to use as simply playing in the dirt. How cool is, that!
Most avid gardeners like myself will tell you that our garden is our “happy place.” The fact that there is some science behind it adds additional credibility to our own, traditional knowledge.
So, if you’re thinking that maybe a garden would be a good project for you this year – I highly recommend trying it. You’ll be happy that you did! 😊
Meanwhile, the tools in this video will help you sleep better and feel calmer.
Best of Health,
Kathi
