Tending to ourselves: What changing seasons teach us about mental wellbeing
Finding the right conditions for us to thrive is as complex and varied as the flora and environments found in nature.
Empathy in Therapy
9/20/20263 min read
Nature changes through the seasons, as does our feelings. Feelings and emotions are in a constant state of flux. Adapting to the conditions we’re in, moving with our bodies and our surroundings.
Flora is all the plant life and vegetation in an area and it blooms, transforms, develops within its own environment and across the seasons. When stressed it wilts and can ultimately die but in the right conditions of light, water, nutrients, location, shade it can blooms, reproduce and thrive.
Human mental health, feelings and emotions reflect this. We adapt to situations in order to survive, but when we do not provide ourselves with the right conditions, we can wilt, become stressed or anxious, and our health can suffer.
Understanding the conditions we each need to thrive can be complex. Unlike plants, we do not come with a seed-packet label telling us exactly how much daylight, nutrition or environmental support we need to survive. If we did, life would be much easier!
When we are working long hours, looking after dependents or loved ones, suffering from ill health, isolation, living in conditions that are causing stress it can take its toll. Our emotions and feelings can be neglected so we survive day to day. Learning about how the stressors make us feel can be an indicator of what we need to change.
Research increasingly shows that the connection between nature and mental wellbeing is more than just a symbolic comparison. Human beings evolved in natural environments for thousands of years, and our brains and bodies still respond positively to natural surroundings. Studies have found that spending time in green spaces can reduce levels of stress hormones, lower blood pressure, improve mood and help restore attention and concentration. Simply being surrounded by plants, trees and natural landscapes can have a calming effect on the nervous system.
Gardening combines many of these benefits into a single activity. It encourages gentle physical movement, exposure to daylight, connection with the seasons and moments of mindful focus. When we sow seeds, nurture young plants and watch them grow, we become active participants in a natural cycle of growth, adaptation and renewal. This process can provide a sense of purpose and achievement, particularly during periods of stress, anxiety or low mood.
There are also striking similarities between the needs of plants and the needs of people. Plants require the right balance of light, water, nutrients and space to flourish. Too little or too much of any one factor can affect their growth. Human wellbeing is similarly dependent on balance. We need rest and activity, connection and solitude, nourishment, safety and opportunities to grow. Just as a gardener learns to recognise the signs of a plant under stress, we can learn to recognise the signals our minds and bodies give when our needs are not being met.
Nature also teaches us that growth is rarely linear. A plant does not bloom continuously throughout the year. It experiences periods of rapid growth, flowering, dormancy and recovery. These cycles are essential rather than signs of failure. Likewise, our emotional lives move through seasons. There are times when we feel energised, resilient and productive, and times when we need rest, reflection and healing. Accepting these natural fluctuations can help us approach ourselves with greater compassion.
Perhaps one of the most important lessons gardening offers is patience. We cannot force a seed to flower before it is ready, but we can create the conditions that support its development. In much the same way, mental wellbeing is not something we can demand of ourselves overnight. It grows gradually when we provide the conditions that allow us to thrive: supportive relationships, meaningful activity, rest, movement and self-care. Like any flourishing garden, emotional wellbeing is nurtured through consistent attention rather than instant results.
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