Post 9.3 -- Incorporate Nature into Your Home. 

By Judy Rix... Note: Before you read this chapter, please read "Post 9 -- Seven Ways to Make Your Home a Heaven on Earth."

Nature offers massive benefits to our emotional, mental, and physical well being. It improves mood, reduces stress, promotes better sleep, boosts the immune system, accelerates recovery from illness, and increases energy levels, just to mention a few. Isn't that exactly what you want for your family?

While we can't always be outside, you can find ways to bring nature into your home. When family members enjoy the benefits of nature, moods will elevate and cooperation will improve. It's simple to maintain a peaceful atmosphere when everyone is happy.

Make Your Heaven - on - Earth Home Beautiful.

-- Decorate with house plants, being mindful of the lighting requirements. Not only are they beautiful, but they clean and purify the air. If you simply can't -- or don't want to -- keep houseplants alive (like me), artificial ones make a spectacular visual substitute.

-- Use natural materials like wood and stone in your decor.

-- Hang paintings of nature on the walls. Viewing scenes of nature reduces anger and fear and increases pleasant feelings.

-- Grow some strawberry plants in pots on the patio or an herb garden in jars on your window sill.

-- Splash some pizzazz into your space with an indoor or outdoor water feature.

-- Display a basket of interesting nature objects -- acorns, rocks, pine cones, etc.

-- Establish a serene outdoor seating area in your yard, your front porch, or along your favorite nature trail.

-- For a bit of whimsey, hide gnomes or fairy houses in the trees and landscape.

-- Even a narrow alley becomes an enchanting wonderland with plants.

_____

Go to the Source -- What Do the Scriptures and Respected Teachers Say?

“This house shall be a healthful habitation if it be built unto my name, and if the governor which shall be appointed unto it shall not suffer any pollution to come upon it. It shall be holy, or the Lord your God will not dwell therein.” (D&C 124:24)

“…He will make her wilderness like Eden and her desert like the garden of the Lord. Joy and gladness shall be found therein, thanksgiving and the voice of melody.” (BOM 2 Nephi 8:3)

"Organize yourselves; prepare every needful thing; and establish a house, even a house of prayer, a house of fasting, a house of faith, a house of learning, a house of glory, a house of order, a house of God." (D&C 88:119)  

"And my people shall dwell in a peaceable habitation, and in sure dwellings, and in quiet resting places." (Bible. Isaiah 32:18)

"Through wisdom is a house built; and by understanding it is established, and by knowledge shall the chambers be filled with all precious and pleasant riches." (Bible. Proverbs 24:3-4)

_____

Please FOLLOW to receive future blog posts.