Cultivate Gratitude by using the Biophilia Effect

John Muir once wrote, "Climb the mountains and hear their good tidings… the winds will blow their own freshness into you, and the storms their energy." My version of this is "Purchase all the plants and greenery for your home and office; they will make you happy."

The biophilia effect states that we can cultivate gratitude by being in nature. I hack this by having plenty of houseplants in my home and office and prioritizing getting outside to absorb trees, home gardens, and landscapes. Being around greenery or being outside in nature is one of my favorite sources of renewal for me. Where I live, there is such a beautiful mix of neighborhood gardens that if I'm mindful, it can be effortless to appreciate the natural beauty. I'm not a novice to nature; I grew up in a wooded area that was relatively remote and isolated. Even at a young age, I appreciated the ability to be in nature regularly. While I live in a lovely place, I commute an hour a day to a part of San Francisco that doesn't have much nature around it. Being in "the city" so often, makes me crave nature, even more, when I need space to reset. 

So if you can't live in the deep woods or escape to that regularly, what do you do? For me, I've started to prioritize finding scenic and beautiful natural places when I vacation or travel. The other thing that I've been doing is purchasing more and more plants for my home and office space. Having something green to look at, especially at work, boosts my mood. According to the biophilia effect connecting with nature is a way for us to reunify with our roots.

Studies show that when we enjoy our surroundings, and we appreciate them, that can grow our feelings of gratitude. So if you have a hard time accessing nature, you might need to make more of an effort to bring nature to you.

Plants and nature represent renewal. So when you're in a space with these objects, you will come back to whatever you are working on more refreshed and energized. Recently I went on a plant buying splurge for my office. Having plants in my office has helped me to focus on taking a break. In the past, I would look at my computer and check email, browse social media, the news, etc. while I had breakfast or lunch, but now I turn, and I face my plants, and I look and see how they're doing. I check to see if they need water, and I appreciate the nature that's right there in my office. For me, taking that time to disconnect and look at my plants and connect with nature makes my mini-stops in the day feel like a break.