Body, soul and soil - pull out those pencils

In the depths of winter, when the weather is poor or time is short during the festive season, we occasionally have to resort to indoor activities.  However, we can still harness the power of nature to feel better if we’re looking for a mood booster or a calming distraction.

Drawing a favourite flower or plant or painting a picture of your garden can be a great way to pass the time and improve your wellbeing, even when it’s tricky to get outside.  You might spend all day on your artistic efforts or just a few minutes – it all counts.  Dig out some coloured pencils and try sketching a houseplant or drawing whatever you can see from your window.  If the view isn’t very inspiring at this time of year, find a photo of your garden in full bloom and work from that.

Whatever you choose, it’s a wellbeing double-whammy: scientific evidence shows that viewing plants – whether real or in images – can help to relax us and reduce tension, while the creativity and meditative quality of drawing and colouring can also help us process emotions and improve our mental health.