#Lifestyle/Gardening: Bringing outdoors indoor

Health is very important to our well-being.

It does not matter how rich we are, we need good health to enjoy what we have.

The decision that promotes good health is one we have to make daily and be in control not just in terms of what we eat or wear, but our home environment.

Home is not about the size or cost of the property, but our ability to maintain a clean, healthy and beautiful environment.

A home full of young children requires daily cleaning and maintaining. Grown-up space is easier to maintain by tidying up as one goes along.

Remembering mother's warnings not to leave spills uncleaned or dirty things lying around. Never let dust take over, keep them away by having the duster close at hand. Unless you are able to pay for the service regularly. As a child in a large family and home with regular visitors, daily cleaning was necessary as my mother was 'allergic' like her father to dust, something I inherited. As we got older learned to tidy up as we went along, not relying solely on house-helps. A discipline that we need to start early.

Among Ibibio people of South-eastern Nigeria, it was a common saying that cleanliness was next to godliness. Even if you lived in a thatched house with clay floor, the standard was the same as one living in a mansion with marble floor.

#It is about forming a habit that works

If you prefer tidying up in the morning after or before breakfast or evening after preparation of meals, keep to it and don't let things get on top of you. Whatever you do, make sure you enjoy and derive some benefit from doing it. Don't let it weigh you down if you don't get to do it when you should.

#For a Healthy Mind and body

People are being encouraged to go to outdoor spaces as it promotes a healthy mind and body. It is true, going outdoors help. It was a practice that kept me sane many years ago when I needed space away from toxic neighbours. I spent time in the park, reading, praying or watching nature. It helped me cope.

#We can keep away depression by how we spend our time

You can turn your home into a spiritual oasis by putting in a few minutes each day to tend your garden. The physical and mental benefit of such activity can be measured by how relaxed you feel not just by growing the plants, vegetables or fruits, but by watching them develop, the joy of what your hands achieve and the sheer peace.

I believe because I pray and sing praises to their Creator it promotes growth in my plants besides the food and water I give.

Prayer is not only beneficial to humans remember, plants and birds enjoy too as I have visits daily from birds.

As prove that prayers really do work, we are reminded secularly also, worth keeping in mind.

I am overjoyed by the fact!

Happy Gardening!

Copyright--Ofonmbuk Ufot--2024