Soil Therapy Sessions

by Paula D. on July 28, 2025 12:03 pm in Gardening / The Nature Walk

Over the past few weeks in the community garden, I’ve heard many people say some version of, “I’m so happy to have my hands back in the soil.” Gardening is good for wellness. It reconnects us to the earth, to nature, and to our natural state as human beings.

All the sensory experiences associated with gardening or just being outdoors are calming—the scent of the soil, the texture of the plants to our touch, the warmth of the sun on our skin,  the colors of the flowers focused in your eyes, the sound of the wind moving through the trees and the birds humming in our ears.

Hands-in-the-Soil-highly-recommended
Hands in the Soil, highly recommended.

For me—and I think I can safely say for many others—gardening is therapeutic because it brings you into the present moment. It can be simple and freeing, with no need for overthinking. That’s what I enjoy so much about my time in the garden – the repetitive process and the quick, satisfying rewards of pulling a weed or potting a plant. This helps shift my mind into the right place, and I feel grounded.

And if you don’t have a garden space, just get outside and get close to the earth.

The other day, I was in Prospect Park, lying flat on my back with only a thin sheet between me and the damp soil. I felt the coolness. I looked up at the tree branches as the leaves waved back and forth. I saw shadows and shades of green overlapping like a dance performance just for me. I saw a bird’s nest—it was large, and a few birds passed by. Finally, after two days, my nervous system returned to baseline. What a relief.

cat in tree

Sunday looks perfect for a park visit. Here are a few of my recs, off the beat and quiet:

I hope you find some calm this weekend. Get grounded with the soil and all the things us humans were supposed to be immersed in.

Follow me on Instagram @theglorifiedtomato—on the ground and growing.

tagged in garden, gardening
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