By Christine Reid.
At the end of another long, hard day, you slowly make your way home in rush hour traffic. More road construction...will it ever end? Another driver cuts you off...grrr! You start stewing about the report that your boss wants handed in a day early. As you swing into the driveway you see that the neighbor’s dog got into the trash can again, spilling fast food containers, yogurt cups and coffee grounds all over the pavement. Rats! Your head is pounding from the stress, your back is aching from sitting all day and you suddenly have a strong urge to chuck it all and head for a deserted island. Go ahead, run away...to your backyard!
For some, the backyard is just a place to grill a burger or have a few flowers or maybe a couple of shade trees. However, more and more people are discovering that the secret to a less stressful life can be found in the simple act of gardening. Having a garden can give you more than just a few fresh tomatoes or a pretty daisy; it can also play a big part in promoting tranquility and relaxation. Our lives are busier than ever and anything that can help us slow down is worth doing. A moderate amount of stress is normal and good, since it keeps us alert and focused. However, if you have too much stress for too long a time, it can be very damaging, both mentally and physically. Stress-related health issues range from heart disease and diabetes to asthma and depression. Finding productive ways to reduce stress will not only improve the quality of our lives, it could possibly even lengthen them.
