Nature is Patient. Our gardens can offer a way to manage stress, anxiety, and even pain. Gardening helps us let go; plants need time and we must give it. They remind us to live in the present moment, to focus ourselves and let go of the rest. Both the passive act of being in nature and the act of gardening itself can provide notable physical and mental benefits to many patient populations.

Self-harm is a very real issue for some of us who struggle with depression. Much like any mental illness, it not only affects the patient but our loved ones, too. For the well-being of both patient and loved ones, communication is vital; most importantly, understanding the reasons behind the urges and how to respond appropriately.

The misinterpretation of the opioid crisis has led the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to look for an avenue to clear the air with the fact that it has never advised involuntary dose reductions for chronic pain victims. Robert Redfield, CDC Director, stated in a letter to the physicians who had disregarded the misinterpreted prescription, that his agency “does not endorse mandated or abrupt dose reduction or discontinuation, as these actions can result in patient harm.” He further illustrated the different strategy that has been put in place to retrace the wrong notion that had been absorbed by the public which has led to unintended sufferings.

At about the time I turned 8, I was diagnosed with debilitating Crohn’s disease and was hospitalized. During this period, I was asked to not just stay in bed but to also have some fun in the playroom with other kids also in the hospital. After playing, I would bring old magazines and coloring books back to my room to keep me company in bed.