Using Nature To Reduce Stress, With Brittany Gowan Of Pause With Plants

Brittany Gowan leads mindfulness workshops Pause With Plants.

It’s no secret that plants are good for us. But what happens when we are truly cognizant of their powerful effects?

Brittany Gowan, founder of Pause With Plants, might have the answer. Combining both her passion for greenery (see her Instagram @IHaveThisThingWithUrbanJungles) and a background in psychology and executive coaching, she leads mindfulness, movement, and meditative practices that connect us to nature. We asked her a few questions about Pause With Plants, why greenery is so important for our wellbeing, and how we can lower our levels of stress with the help of our leafy friends.

What are the origins of Pause with Plants? Where did you come up with the idea?

As a long-time New Yorker I attribute my love of, and longevity in, city life to the intentional daily practice of connecting with the natural world. In the rush of the busy city, I take time to "pause" with nature as a way to practice self-care and focus on my well-being. In 2018, I gave this practice a name and founded Pause with Plants to connect people with the natural world, elevate personal well-being and encourage collective environmental action. My work is centered around the belief that we all can breathe in nature and breathe out stress.

“My work is centered around the belief that we all can breathe in nature and breathe out stress,” explains Gowan.

Where do the worlds of nature and psychology intersect?

Nature and psychology meet at many intersections. Psychology studies how our minds work and how our behavior is influenced by people, situations and environments. To be well in mind and body, it helps to interact with natural environments. Exposure to nature is proven to have significant psychological benefits, supporting positive self-awareness and mental health. The more we draw parallels between nature and psychology and teach what specifically happens when we connect with greenery, the more people will activity seek out nature to support their mental and physical health.

Why is it important to incorporate nature into our daily routines?

By incorporating plants and nature into daily life we gain the opportunity to stay connected to the calming qualities of the natural world in all settings. Being in the presence of greenery serves as a powerful wellness tool, helping to relieve stress and anxiety, boost our mood and increase positivity.

Bringing plants into our homes and tending to their needs so they can grow and thrive can translate into increased gratitude, compassion and serve as a rewarding act of self-care.

Mindfulness has essentially become mainstream over the last few years. What is your definition of mindfulness, and why is it important to practice?

I define mindfulness as in the moment, non-judgmental awareness. Through the conscious act of mindfulness, we can see ourselves, others, settings and situations more clearly and respond more thoughtfully. Awakening our senses and focusing our intention to stay in the present can benefit our mental, physical and emotional well-being.

“As a long-time New Yorker I attribute my love of, and longevity in, city life to the intentional daily practice of connecting with the natural world.”

What are some tips you have for keeping our stress levels down at work?

We can get in a routine of taking shallow breaths, not fully breathing in and letting it go slowly out. I encourage the people I work with to practice intentional deep breathing while focusing on being in the present moment. Not ruminating about the past or what is yet to come. While you breathe, bring to mind a natural scene or if you have plants or nature in view, focus your gaze on greenery during this exercise. The daily practice of breathing for stress management is a great way to increase calm and the mind/body connection.

I also teach the value of movement and the importance of stepping away from your desk for a quick walk outside and engaging in whatever nature is available. Also, doing some light stretching is a great way to reconnect with yourself, align your mind and body, and release stress.

You do a lot of corporate workshops. What does one of these typical workshops look like?

A Pause with Plants workshop typically runs 1-hour and is interactive, experiential and collaborative. Employees learn and practice the Pause with Plants Method to breathe in nature and breathe out stress. Through exercises to connect, move and meditate, these workshops provide tools for sustainable nature-centered stress management and well-being.

Research from my Applied / I-O Psychology Msc and NYU Professional Coaching Certification and experiences in mindfulness exercises, teaching and team building are woven into each Pause with Plants workshop.

You’re also the human behind @IHaveThisThingWithUrbanJungles. What spurred the start that project?

@IHaveThisThingWithUrbanJungles started in 2017 out of my love for plants and nature in urban settings, and connecting nature to wellness. I really enjoy sharing my favorite nature-in-the-city spots with all the plant people on Instagram. I also wanted to share other people's nature photos to celebrate our online community, as well as inspiring collective environmental awareness through the words in my post captions.

Any notable urban jungles you’ve discovered along the way?

I'm partial to all the unique pieces of nature that make up our urban jungle of New York City, especially the West Village but I also love where nature and city life combine in cities like Rome, Paris and Istanbul.

About Brittany

Brittany Gowan is a nature girl in an urban world and the founder of Pause with Plants. The mission of Pause with Plants is to teach and empower all people to integrate nature-focused self-care and wellness into their lives. Though accessible mindfulness, movement and meditative practices that connect us to the Earth, Pause with Plants elevates healthy living and inspires collective environmental action.

Brittany's Instagram accounts @Ihavethisthingwithurbanjungles and @PausewithPlants, combine her background in athletic and executive coaching, MSc psychology and mindfulness practices to show how to stay in the moment with the natural world.