I’m probably not alone in finding that spending time in nature does wonders to clear the mind, boost my mood and relieve stress through its tranquility and natural beauty.  Well, we can’t all be lucky enough to make a living as a park ranger wandering through idyllic forests and climbing towering mountains.  Some of us aren’t even fortunate enough to have access to a nice park! 

So, I’ve tried recently to import my beautiful botanicals indoors.  I spend a lot of time sitting at my desk, and unfortunately (must have been an oversight), I do not have a corner office which allows for natural sunlight and a view of the outdoors, so I’ve resorted to placing potted plants all around my desk and cabinet space.  It’s not Yosemite, but it certainly does wonders to boost the ambiance around an otherwise sterile office.   I picked plants that require minimal light, such as aloe and jade, and a few vines that flow nicely over the edge of my cabinets.  A few well placed smooth stones and my mini-garden is complete. 

The best part is co-workers are starting to do the same thing.  In fact, we have a nice little system where we give each other clippings from our plants or pass them on to others.  It’s a great way to share in something beautiful, foster office camaraderie and spread natural wonders throughout the office!  Plants in general improve air quality as well as provide the above mentioned mood and health benefits. Best of all, flowering plants smell delightful and add color.  So if you can’t stroll through your garden on lunch break, consider bringing the garden indoors.