Mindful Gardening Tip: How to Practice “GAIA” In the Garden
Recently I created a mindful practice that has helped me center myself every time I enter the garden. I’m all about focusing on mindfulness and mental health and love incorporating it into being in the garden whenever possible.
This practice can be done at any time in any garden and if you’re short on time, can be as short as 3 minutes. I usually find myself going through the GAIA practice for about 5 minutes. Do whatever works for you. You can do it while wandering around your garden beds or seated in the garden.
In order to easily remember the 4 steps, it’s helpful to use this acronym: GAIA (the ancient Greek goddess of the Earth). In this garden meditation practice, GAIA stands for gratitude, attention, immersion, acceptance.
Below are the GAIA mindfulness practice steps:
1. Gratitude
Practicing gratitude has almost become cliché at this point, but it is important in the mental health space because it works! According to Harvard Health, gratitude “helps people feel more positive emotions, relish good experiences, improve their health, deal with adversity, and build strong relationships.”
When you get into the garden, the first thing to do is think about what you’re grateful for. It can have to do with something in the garden or anything in your life. See what comes to you when you do this. I find that it’s great to challenge myself to think of a few different, specific things every time to keep it fresh, fun, and get the most benefit out of it.
2. Attention
As the poet Mary Oliver says, “attention is the beginning of devotion.” In a world of constant distraction and multi-tasking, paying close attention to the present moment can be rare and beautiful.
After taking time to practice gratitude, focus intently on what’s happening in the garden right now. Are there birds, bees, or butterflies fluttering about? How do your plants seem to be doing? What part of their life cycle are they in? Simply paying attention for a few moments without any distractions is a great way to easily practice mindfulness in the garden.
3. Immersion
Take your attention to a deeper level and really immerse yourself in what’s happening in the environment. At this point in the GAIA garden practice, take a deep breath through your nose and out through your mouth. Then work with your senses to take in the nature around you. What do you see? What do you hear? What do you feel? What do you smell? What is the essence of this moment?
4. Acceptance
Lastly, change your focus from your external environment to your internal environment, paying attention to what’s going on inside of you without judgment. Allow in all thoughts, feelings and sensations, whether they are pleasant, painful, or neutral. Allow them to just “be” as they are without believing that there is a “right” or “wrong” way to feel. Accept whatever comes up at this moment. Accepting our situation supports our emotional and physical health, helps us become better problem-solvers, and helps us get to know ourselves on a deeper level.
Once you complete the 4 steps, it’s time for your usual garden activities! You will go into them in a calmer, more mindful state and feel good about a job well done.
Mindful Garden Challenge: Can you do complete the GAIA practice for a full week? Let me know how it goes for you!
Note: The posts on this website are not intended to be a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your mental health professional or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding your condition. Never disregard professional advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website.
