How to Overcome Burnout Through The Healing Power of Nature

Growing Joy with Plants - Wellness Rooted in Nature, Houseplants, Gardening and Plant Care

06/20/23 • 43 min

How do you handle burnout? We have all asked that question at some point because modern society has a lot of demands, and it's become too easy to feel overwhelmed. But what if there was a free and accessible tool that could help you turn towards yourself again, away from overstimulation and crazy schedules? In this episode, I will share with you my own experience with deep depression and severe burnout, and how I found healing through making major life shifts centered around spending more time in and with nature.

In this episode, we learn:

[00:24] Maria shares her experience with depression and severe burnout over the past three years
[01:54] Plants are a great way to reconnect with a part of ourselves that modern society ignores
[10:24] How is burnout defined?
[12:27] How do you recover from burnout?
[13:25] What is Attention Restoration Theory?
[14:23] First type of attention: Directed Attention
[14:37] Second type of attention: Involuntary Attention (aka fascination)
[16:10] Involuntary attention practices to help you find balance in life
[16:14] Look at a plant before you look at your screen
[18:00] Thank the trees
[18:36] Pair it with gratitude
[19:25] Ritualize engaging with nature
[22:54] Go outside
[23:02] Forest bathing and its benefits
[25:51] Mental health walks
[26:44] Get your bare feet on the earth (aka grounding/earthing)
[28:36] Practice mindfulness through plant care
[30:53] Lean into scent
[33:24] Two different types of plants for healing purposes
[33:38] Slow burn plants
[35:57] Quick win plants
[38:23] Pruning back to inspire growth