The physical work of gardening, preparing soil, planting seeds, watering and weeding produces good chemicals in the brain such as serotonin and dopamine. Garden work can also help reduce blood pressure, heart rate and cortisol levels. Low cortisol levels keep inflammation down and manages carbohydrates and blood sugars. Being physically active through gardening provides lasting wellness benefits. Physical exercise – digging, hoeing and watering uses balance, muscles, and strength. While all physical activity is beneficial, your emotions benefit too!
Emotional Health & Plants
Living in or near green spaces, spending time in both natural settings, and cultivated green space can improve mood and reduce the negative effects of stress. Other positive outcomes include reduction in aggressive feelings and enhancement of overall well-being. Studies have found that exposure to indoor plants improved feelings of well-being in participants. Plants are the lungs of the planet, drawing in carbon dioxide and releasing oxygen back into the atmosphere. One of the best things about caring for indoor plants is the beautiful exchange that happens because plants depend on our care, and in turn, they take care of us by improving the indoor air quality we breathe.
Mental Health & Plants
Plants reduce feelings of anxiety and depression. Plants have shown an increase in creativity, both in school and the workplace. They found plants brought a 37% reduction in tension and anxiety, a 58% reduction in depression and a 44% reduction in anger and hostility. Studies showed an improvement in preschooler’s memory, and cognitive function when participants walked in nature. Children with ADHD had better concentration after a walk in the park than after an urban neighborhood walk. Taking breaks to view or be in nature helps restore everyone’s attention.
Physical Health & Plants
The physical work of gardening, preparing soil, planting seeds, watering and weeding produces good chemicals in the brain such as serotonin and dopamine. Garden work can also help reduce blood pressure, heart rate and cortisol levels. Low cortisol levels keep inflammation down and manages carbohydrates and blood sugars. Being physically active through gardening provides lasting wellness benefits. Physical exercise – digging, hoeing and watering uses balance, muscles, and strength. While all physical activity is beneficial, your emotions benefit too!
Emotional Health & Plants
Living in or near green spaces, spending time in both natural settings, and cultivated green space can improve mood and reduce the negative effects of stress. Other positive outcomes include reduction in aggressive feelings and enhancement of overall well-being. Studies have found that exposure to indoor plants improved feelings of well-being in participants. Plants are the lungs of the planet, drawing in carbon dioxide and releasing oxygen back into the atmosphere. One of the best things about caring for indoor plants is the beautiful exchange that happens because plants depend on our care, and in turn, they take care of us by improving the indoor air quality we breathe.
Stop and Take a Break
The transition to remote and hybrid work and back to the worksite has been difficult for many reasons, and one consistent issue the idea of taking breaks. Taking breaks benefits both health and performance markers, such as energy levels, morale, and vigor, while decreasing job burnout, fatigue, and work stress. A bulk of research shows the best way to boost productivity is to take microbreaks every 60 minutes away from screen time. Try standing up, moving around, stretching, or practicing mindfulness and deep breathing exercises to keep you motivated during your work blocks.
Neurofeedback for Symptom Management
Neurofeedback is an option once again at Safe Harbour Therapy! Nancy Champagne will be offering NeurOptimal®, an Electroencephalographic (EEG) Neurofeedback technology that enables you to train your brain to be more flexible (or resilient) by encouraging it to change itself. As a result of this neuroplasticity, NeurOptimal® can train the brain towards optimal functioning, thus helping to reduce undesirable symptoms and often enabling you to perform more optimally in your life. NeurOptimal can benefit all brains from newborn to elderly. High functioning executives to those struggling with anxiety/depression, PTSD, insomnia, ADHD, stress, chronic headaches/pain/fatigue, TBI, cognitive decline. This non-invasive alternative to mainstream treatments may be of benefit to you.
Good Nutrition & Digestion = Good Health
No matter how clean, organic, and healthy you eat, if your body isn’t able to digest, absorb, and process essential nutrients properly, you are not benefitting from your efforts.
To do this, your stomach needs to fully digest, your intestines need to completely absorb, and your liver needs to properly process the food you eat.
One of the simplest ways to correct and improve any issue you may have with the digestive process is through nutritional testing.
If a weakness is found in a specific organ, nutritional supplementation can be added to your diet to improve the digestive process and in turn, help you benefit from your wise choices.
Random Acts of Kindness
Research shows that supporting others will help you feel connected and give both you and the person you are helping a healthy dose of oxytocin supporting overall mental well-being. So try one of these suggestions to be well. 1. Write a short letter of gratitude to someone, set up a time to meet them and read it to them. 2. Buy an order for the person behind you in the drive through. 3. Make a friend/colleague a meal. Do an unexpected chore for a family member, colleague, or friend. Give someone a book that you like. Leave a “Have a Great Day” note on a neighbour’s car.
Acupuncture for Insomnia
Sleep deprivation can play a role in the body’s inflammatory process, potentially increasing inflammatory molecules like cytokines, interleukin-6, and C-reactive protein (an inflammation marker that’s often elevated in people at risk for heart disease and diabetes). Chronic inflammation can lead to the development of diabetes, stroke, heart disease, Alzheimer’s disease, and cancer. Studies have shown that acupuncture may help to improve insomnia symptoms, total sleep time, and sleep efficiency, as well as symptoms of conditions that can affect sleep, such as restless leg syndrome, sleep apnea, pain, anxiety, and depression. Improving sleep may help to decrease inflammation in the body.
Daily Routine Struggles?
Dopamine, our motivation chemical, is highest in the morning. That’s why it can be helpful to tackle the “hardest” things first and set up a dopamine wave early in the morning. Have a morning routine consisting of discipline-building behaviours – a cold shower is perfect, as it is uncomfortable. Once you overcome an obstacle this big, the other “hard” tasks seem easy in comparison. Other examples are a morning workout or meditation session. This can help you face everything your day throws at you, big or small. Life is won with a series of decisions that build on each other!


