Gardening is one of the ways I relax. Besides being near a peaceful lake, the ocean or a quiet forest, it’s a good way for me to unwind. I especially enjoy flower gardening because it gives me great satisfaction to see all the beautiful blooms, once I pull the weeds.

I have a decorative stepping stone in my garden that says, “An hour in the garden puts life’s problems in perspective.” Whenever I’m feeling stressed and I see that stone, it reminds me to take a break from my busy schedule and “smell the roses,” so to speak.

As I work in my garden, it’s just me with nature — away from my cell phone, computer, TV and radio. It’s an escape from the news and the violence that we’re constantly confronted with. All I hear is the birds singing, the breeze softly blowing and an occasional vehicle or farm tractor driving by.

A statement made by the famous hairstylist Michael Leong on his blog, Green Therapy, says, “When you enter a garden, time tends to slow down. Your mind and body relax as you step away from the daily bustle and you can connect with your spirit.”