Do you consider mowing your grass as a chore? Maybe you need to reclassify it as a therapy! Because mowing your grass reduces stress. Research shows that a chemical released by a mown lawn makes people feel happy and relaxed.It can even help prevent mental decline in old age.
It works directly on the parts of the brain connected to emotion and memory – the amygdala and hippocampus. Personally it makes me think of childhood, meadows and sun shine.
A perfume called Serendescent has been developed that smells like freshly -cut lawn. The Australian neuroscientist from Queensland University Brisbane developed it after his research which started after going for a trek in the United States some twenty years ago. “Three days in Yosemite National Park felt like a three month holiday” he says. “I didn’t realize that it was a combination of feel good chemicals released by pine trees, lush vegetation and cut grass that made me feel so relaxed”.
Sounds good to me! Although I wonder if there is any complete substitute for lying in a meadow with the sun on your face?
Margie
