Posted on Biodesigned on 4/20/2021. Read the full article

Early morning is a sacred time. I am surrounded by houseplants and their sage advice while the light in the room intensifies as the sun rises. Thoughts pour out of my mind from a night of sleep. And so my “empty mind” ritual begins as I grab my phone and capture unformed ideas in incomplete notes. My mind and body slowly reconnect, mirroring how my plants move in slow motion toward the sun. This ritual helps me thrive especially in inclement apartment dwelling.

A recent apartment change completely stressed out a few of my plants. One became droopy, her giant leaves withered and dropped to the ground as if in loud protest. I asked myself so many questions about how to improve her state: Total re-pot? A change in diet? Too much sun? Air quality? Water? WiFi brain fog? She was clearly unhappy. Her skin had brown spots. The soil was dry and sandy. In the quiet, I could hear her exacerbated sighs. If left behind, she surely would be tossed in the dumpster by building maintenance without a second thought. 

The new space is not as plant-friendly, yet I had confidence she would bounce back and adapt with proper care and attention. Change is slow and often not visible. I massaged her leaves and increased the healing vibes with pep talks and music. Over time she began to respond. Shoots of green proved her resilience.

Plants communicate with us whether in our homes or under the forest canopy. They offer clues for noticing hidden stressors—when they’re dehydrated, dull, or dusty—that we ourselves experience yet often ignore. I’ve begun to wonder: Are we truly taking care of ourselves if we’re not taking care of our plants? Because plants do take care of us. A 2019 report found that only 120 minutes a week in nature strengthens health and wellbeing [1].
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“Studies have shown that time in nature—as long as people feel safe—is an antidote for stress: It can lower blood pressure and stress hormone levels, reduce nervous system arousal, enhance immune system function, increase self-esteem, reduce anxiety, and improve mood. Attention Deficit Disorder and aggression lessen in natural environments, which also help speed the rate of healing,” Jim Robbins wrote in YaleEnvironment 360[2].

I am a scientist and corporate leader who focuses on the integration of applied science within nutrition, health, and wellbeing products and services. Part of my responsibility requires me to listen to experts from research institutions and universities on how best to improve the wellbeing of people and society [3]. 

While what we eat is fundamental to the health of people and the planet, it is only one part of a path to wellbeing. When I wrote my book Living Full Circle: Simple Ancient Rituals for Modern Life, I captured rituals that contribute to wellbeing which emerging science is only now beginning to recognize: grounding breaths, quiet reflection, gentle movement, spending time outdoors, and other intentional behaviors [4].

“We’ve been trying to imitate nature because nature does it best. Nature builds best, grows best, and also destroys best,”Paola Antonelli, senior curator of architecture and design at the Museum of Modern Art, said [5].

In the midst of the pandemic, few lessons seem more important than those concerning our wellbeing. We need a plant-based collaborative approach. In a sense, we must design for our wellbeing in new, comprehensive ways. Plant-based foods move us in a better direction, yet we must also address our mental state and mind-body connection, which change daily with our circumstances. 

We must redesign our lives to combat the hidden stressors and reconvene with our world, connect to nature and plants, spend quality time in nature to reflect, refresh, and absorb that which only nature knows how to provide

[1] White, M.P., Alcock, I., Grellier, J. et al. “Spending at least 120 minutes a week in nature is associated with good health and wellbeing.” Scientific Reports, no. 9, 7730. 2019.

[2] Robbins, Jim. “Ecopsychology: How Immersion in Nature Benefits Your Health.” Yale Environment 360, January 9, 2020.

[3] Sustainable Healthy Diets – Guiding Principles. World Health Organization and Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. Rome. 2019.

[4]  Bradley, Dondeena. Living Full Circle: Simple ancient rituals for modern life. Tiller Press, December 17, 2019.

[5] Antonelli, Paola and Corinne Takara, panelists. Interview. BDC’s Five Year Anniversary, 29 April, 2020.