BY CHRISTINE WENZEL

Mindfulness is “the basic human ability to be fully present, aware of where we are and what we’re doing, and not overly reactive or overwhelmed by what’s going on around us.” Mindfulness is very commonly practiced with sitting meditation, but can also be done through short pauses or incorporating it into daily activities like walking or sports. Research has found and supported numerous benefits to the routine practice of mindfulness, including enhanced focus and performance, greater personal insight and clarity, and most notably reduced stress and anxiety.¹ Additionally, having green spaces (ex. parks, gardens, etc) is associated with improved mental wellness, and targeted exposure to green spaces are common in assisting at-risk youth, stressed employees, and other populations.² In combining the practice of mindfulness with the supporting green environment, this succulent garden provides a space designed to aid in reducing stress which in turn improves mental and physical wellbeing.

¹ "What Is Mindfulness? - Mindful". Mindful, 2020, https://www.mindful.org/what-is-mindfulness/.
² Barton, Jo, and Mike Rogerson. "The importance of greenspace for mental health." BJPsych international 14.4 (2017): 79-81.

Succulents are a category of plants which store water in their leaves. They are becoming increasingly popular in California and throughout the nation as they thrive in dry environments, requiring relatively little water and being resilient during extended periods of drought.¹ Succulents are not only native to California but can be found on all continents, apart from Antarctica, and so there is a great diversity of plants available to create this easy-to-care for and aesthetically pleasing garden.

¹ Tuttle, Cassidy. "What Are Succulents?". Succulents And Sunshine, 2013, https://www.succulentsandsunshine.com/what-are-succulents/.