Nurturing a plant is just like nurturing your mental health. You water the plant; it grows to a full bloom. You feed your mental health with consistent self-care and it can have positive outcomes. Both require patience, nurturing, and a steady effort to grow, flourish, and thrive. This metaphor is being felt across the Orchard Place Residential Campus.
“I find this strangely satisfying,” admitted a 15-year-old youth harvesting peppers. This is one of the tasks Terry McCabe, the Club Chris Greenhouse Coordinator at the Residential Campus, has the children do. “This young man said this and continued to gather peppers off the plant. A male peer next to him laughed and said, ‘I know, I do too,’” shared McCabe, continuing to say the pair started laughing. She explained how this shows that gardening can reduce stress and anxiety. “When you tend to plants outside your senses are stimulated. You can experience the warmth of the dirt in your hands. The cool breeze on your face coupled with the sounds of birds singing can help with calmness.”
A positive mood can increase your motivation explained McCabe. “Connecting with nature can be an overall peaceful venture,” she said. Located down the hill of the Residential Campus, the Club Chris Greenhouse is home to many different plants, florals, and vegetables. This is where the children, under the guidance of McCabe are learning how gardening can bring a feeling of tranquility. She has seen the impact firsthand. From a 17-year-old humming while she skipped her way to Gardening Group, to a 14-year-old sharing that she found pulling weeds to be relaxing, McCabe said growing a plant by seed and nurturing it to adulthood can create a sense of accomplishment. “This can help improve one’s self-esteem.”
