Surround Yourself with Plants: Finding Peace in Difficult Times
Why Connecting to Nature Is a Powerful Tool for Resilience, Presence, and Healing
In a world that feels increasingly chaotic—climate instability, social unrest, burnout at every corner—one of the most accessible and powerful wellness practices we have is right outside our door: the garden.
Spending time with plants won’t fix everything. But it can help us stay grounded, hopeful, and present in the face of it all. In fact, surrounding yourself with plants—especially during times of stress—is one of the simplest ways to reconnect with life itself.
“Sitting in my garden doesn’t stop bad things from happening, but it allows me to show up and meet the darkest parts of this world with myself intact.”
— Kristen Warms
Gardening as a Wellness Practice
When you sit among plants—whether in a backyard garden, a patch of wild green, or a single pot on your windowsill—your body begins to remember something ancient: we belong here.
Being surrounded by nature regulates our nervous systems, supports mental health, and reminds us that abundance still exists in a world that so often sells us scarcity.
Benefits of spending time with plants:
Grounding during emotional overwhelm
Gentle sensory input to calm a stressed mind
A reminder of resilience and regeneration
Connection to something larger than ourselves
Life Continues, Even in Chaos
When everything feels like it’s unraveling, a few quiet moments with your hands in the soil or your feet on the ground can bring you back to center.
Nature reminds us that:
Life continues, even amidst chaos.
Abundance is the planet’s default setting.
We’re part of an ecosystem—interconnected and alive.
The more time we spend outside, the more we remember this truth. The more we remember it, the less power the chaos holds over us.
Nature Doesn’t Just Heal—It Teaches
There's a common idea that we “find ourselves” in nature. But that’s not quite it. What I’ve found in these natural spaces — be they gardens or wild places — is:
Stillness that quiets the noise
Generosity in blooming and decay
Collaboration among plants, pollinators, soil, and sun
Resilience that teaches us how to adapt, bend, and grow
Presence that reminds us to be in the moment.
Nature isn’t just beautiful. It’s wise.
Let Plants Hold You
There is no wellness trend, no productivity hack, no self-optimization tool that can offer what the natural world does. And best of all? You don’t need to do anything to earn it.
So if you’re feeling disconnected, burnt out, or overwhelmed… surround yourself with plants. As often as possible. Let them remind you what it feels like to be alive.
Ready to Root into a More Grounded Life?
Join the Slow Fox Wellness email list for seasonal reflections, herbal tips, and nature-based practices to support your wellbeing—even in uncertain times.