The People's Countryside Environmental Debate Podcast
Stress And Guerilla Gardening
Published: 2 March 2025 at 10:00 Europe/London
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Episode notes
Yenifer, from Provincia De Panamá, Panama sets the first listener question today - “Any advice on how to manage stress?”
William discusses the benefits of meditation as an effective tool for stress management. He emphasizes that regular practice can help individuals cultivate a habit, which is essential for reaping the long-term benefits. He has been engaging in guided meditation sessions for six months and finds that it helps him organize his thoughts and detach from stress.
Stuart introduces the idea of not being influenced by others' experiences and stresses. He asserts that while you cannot control external stressors, you can manage your response to them. He elaborates that stress may never be entirely eliminated, but the key lies in how you react to it.
William concludes that stress management involves handling both personal and external stressors effectively.
Stuart emphasizes the importance of taking proactive steps to manage stress. He shares a thought-provoking analogy: if faced with a dire situation, such as standing before a firing squad, a person might choose to remain calm and accept the situation, understanding that it is temporary with you inner voice saying “I'm not going to wish these people any harm, they're acting out their role, my job is to experience this as calmly as I can”. Stuart and William continue discussing meditation, highlighting its similarity to maintaining a regular exercise routine. William notes that consistent practice is crucial, while Stuart emphasizes the importance of understanding what meditation entails to benefit fully from it.
Debs, from Didcot, Oxfordshire, England asks today second question - “Is gardening a cure or just a help, or both?”
What's the deal with this 'cure'? A cure for what, exactly? Is what Stuart wonders initially. He doesn't think of it as a cure-all but admits it can help with various things.
William claims gardening can be the ultimate stress buster, answering Yenifer's question. He shares his personal experience. It gets you outside, surrounded by greenery, and gives you a good physical workout. Still though, he isn't sure if it's a cure. Maybe it helps, but it's got to be part of a bigger plan he muses.
Stuart chimes in, pointing out the different schools of thought on the benefits of getting your hands dirty. He's always hesitant to use the word "cure". You can also pop a pill, but it just helps you get by, he says. There are rarely permanent cures.
He then shares a story about a neighbor who couldn't understand growing a tomato plant that only yielded three tomatoes a year. For Stuart, it's all about the simple joy of being out there.
Stuart wraps it up with a practical tip: Try gardening, even if it's just some guerrilla gardening in your local area.
What do you make of this discussion? Do you have a question that you'd like us to discuss? Let us know by sending an email to thepeoplescountryside@gmail.com
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