• Books,  Plants & Happiness

    The Leaf Your Troubles Workbook is Ready and Free!

    Leaf Your Troubles Workbook, The Leaf Your Troubles Workbook is Ready and Free!, Karen Hugg, https://karenhugg.com/2022/07/12/leaf-your-troubles-workbook/(opens in a new tab), #leafyourtroubles #workbook #greenleisure #journal #happiness #mentalhealth #stressrelief #nature

    Hey all, Just a quick post to let you know I’ve made and put online the Leaf Your Troubles workbook! This is a 25-page companion booklet of worksheets that dovetail with the exercises in my book, Leaf Your Troubles Behind: How to Destress and Grow Happiness Through Plants. What’s In There It’s a pretty simple format. I included Escape to Nature journal pages focusing on the Time Log exercises and Green Personality exploration. It also features a sample Stress Bramble you can add to along with daily Green Leisure worksheets.…

  • Plants & Happiness

    How the Fresh Scent of the Forest Can Fight Cancer in Amazing Ways

    Forest Path, How the Fresh Scent of the Forest Can Fight Cancer in Amazing Ways, Karen Hugg, https://karenhugg.com/2021/12/15/forest-can-fight-cance/(opens in a new tab), #plants, #happiness, #mentalhealth, #stressrelief, #stress, #leafyourtroublesbehind, #greenleisure, #relaxation, #cancer

    If you’re anything like me, you get stressed out because of work — or your kids or parents or even an unexpected traffic jam or small injury. Stress is an ongoing issue in our modern world. Sometimes when we’re stressed getting outside and taking a walk can help. Our mind takes a break from whatever is causing our angst and our bodies take in outside air, which helps us relax. But did you know there’s an added benefit to taking a walk specifically in the woods? It’s not that it’s…

  • Plants & Happiness

    Who Offers the Best Information on Plants and Well-Being?

    Plant and Mental Health Studies, Who Offers the Best Information on Plants and Well-Being? Karen Hugg, https://karenhugg.com/2021/12/08/plants-and-well-being/(opens in a new tab), #plants, #happiness, #well-being, #mentalhealth, #stressrelief, #stress, #relaxation, #research, #science, #studies

    In the past several years, you may have seen headlines claiming that plants can help our mental health. Well, that is indeed true. But how do you know which studies are reputable? Which are woo-woo, feel-good stories stronger on common sense than fact? Which are flat-out misinterpretations meant to excite more than educate? And which include what the science truly shows? I myself used to feel confused about the topic until I spent a year writing a book on it. So, to help suss out the truth, I thought I’d…

  • Plants & Happiness

    Why Do Plants Make Us Happier? Five Fascinating Reasons

    Part-shade garden border, Why Do Plants Make Us Happier? Five Fascinating Reasons, Karen Hugg, https://karenhugg.com/2021/11/08/plants-make-us-happier/(opens in a new tab), #plants #happiness #plantsmakeushappier #garden #mentalhealth #stress #destressing #stressrelief

    When I was a professional gardener, I made a lot of people happy by helping them with their gardens. Usually, I either created and installed a new garden or maintained the one they already had. Regardless, after my work was finished, my clients often told me their garden was their happy place. It relieved them from stress. Reset their energy. I understood this since my own garden made me happy too, even when there was a lot of work to do. So I started to wonder: why exactly did plants…

  • Books

    My First Nonfiction Book Explores How to be Happy Through Plants!

    Karen Hugg Leaf Your Troubles Behind Desk, My First Nonfiction Book Explores How to be Happy Through Plants!, Karen Hugg, https://karenhugg.com/2021/11/08/happy-through-plants/, #books, #writing, #plants, #leafyourtroublesbehind, #happiness, #greenleisure, #stress, #destressing

    Hi everyone, You may have noticed that last year I got interested in the mental health benefits of plants. I spent a bunch of time reading up on the latest science to see if a theory I’ve had for a while held any water. Mainly, that plants can help us be happier even if you don’t have a garden. What I found impressed me. The short answer is yes but how you go about engaging with plants makes all the difference. It’s not like you can say “good morning” to…