"On a rainy afternoon last weekend, plans got cancelled and I found myself at a loose end. Given that I'm someone who likes to have backup plans for my backup plans, my initial response was panic. Now what? I wandered aimlessly from room to room, grumpily tidying away random items. Noticing for the first time in weeks that most of my houseplants were critically ill, I decided to give them a spa day."
"It's a funny thing, isn't it, how we often hurtle through life fuelled by busyness and adrenaline, secretly yearning for rest. But when the opportunity finally arises, it feels uncomfortable. Somehow, though, my botanical A&E session instilled a soothing sense of nesting. It was getting dark and, feeling weirdly smug, I went round replacing the missing bulbs in various lamps and turned the lights down low."
Plans were cancelled on a rainy afternoon, prompting aimless wandering and minor tidying that led to noticing critically ill houseplants. The plants received attention: moved to a south-facing windowsill, dead leaves removed and a triage box assembled with plant food, a mister and a watering can. Completing these small tasks produced a soothing sense of nesting, dimmed lights and a dozy evening on the sofa under an electric throw while half listening to a podcast. Sleep improved markedly. Research shows people often underestimate how much they will enjoy inactivity, sometimes preferring activity even if unpleasant, with one Harvard study finding participants chose electric shocks over sitting quietly with their thoughts.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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