Grass - Nature's Stress Relief

Stress relief can all too often become a medical issue – with pills and potions, visits to specialists and so on. In fact, many of us don’t realise that simply relaxing in the calming surrounds of our garden can be great therapy in itself. One of the most surprising facts about this, is that your grass plays an enormously important part in how you feel about yourself.nnCompletely natural, friendly to the local ecology, life-giving and inspiring, it is no wonder that the ancient aristocracies of Europe paid as much attention to their gardens as they did their stately homes. Thanks to hundreds of years dedicated cultivation, modern grass varieties can offer you a sense of peace and tranquility even in the most urban of environments – and provide you with a much needed oasis in times of stress and worry.nnPhysiological ExperiencesnExperiments have shown that standing barefoot on grass can trigger a reduction in the signs of stress. Heart rate, blood pressure and electrical skin resistance have been shown to fall. These signs are normally used to read stress levels, and a reduction in them is normally a sign that your stress levels have decreased. nnRefreshing Oxygen – Direct from your Lawn nGrass – like all plants – absorbs poisonous carbon dioxide from the air. Best of all, the natural processes of its growth produce fresh oxygen twenty four hours a day, seven days a week. nnNature’s Playground nGrass is one of the cheapest surfaces for you and your family to enjoy. It is also one of the safest. Children can tumble, giggling to the ground without hurt. This encourages horseplay, and the exercise that little limbs need to flourish and grow.nnThe smell of freshly cut grass nFew things are more evocative of a relaxing summer day than the smell of freshly mown grass. Receptors in your nose have a powerful association between smells and past experiences, so the scent of new-mown grass effortlessly recalls those balmy afternoons.n nEnjoyment and rewardnLike all gardening activities, maintaining a beautiful lawn is a rewarding experience in itself. The results speak for themselves and are there for all to see, from friends and neighbours to family. Because of its fresh, vibrant associations with nature, the green of a lawn evokes tranquility, and a well kept lawn can be a source of pride and inspiration to the whole family.nnWe are programmed to enjoy it nStanding barefoot on grass is a multi-sensory experience. It triggers deeply rooted associations with the smell and sound of nature and visions of dense greenery. These associations are probably evolutionary and are hard-wired into our nervous systems. nnIt's coolnAnother benefit that everyone can enjoy from a lawn is its tremendous cooling effect. On a hot summer’s day a lawn’s surface can be at least 30 degrees cooler than that of tarmac.