Boulder Crest Retreat for Military and Veteran Wellness delivers a variety of complementary therapies in their free combat stress recovery programs

According to research published in the journal Psychiatry Investigation, engaging in horticulture therapy (gardening) helps reduce pain, improves attention, reduces stress and agitation, and lowers the usage of medications. Additionally, the University of Florida reports that horticulture therapy improves bodies, minds, and spirits, and has been used for centuries. For all of these reasons, horticulture is one of the complementary alternative therapies that is being used to help the many combat veterans suffering from such conditions as post-traumatic stress, traumatic brain injuries, and physical injuries.

Most people experience stress while at work, and finding a way to reduce it may be as easy as taking along a pet to the office. In fact, according to a study in the International Journal of Workplace Health Management, the presence of dogs at work decreases stress levels in the workplace. Unfortunately, most offices do not allow pet owners to bring their pups to work. The Aquaponic Source offers a new solution that keeps bosses happy and will help to reduce stress - take fish to work. This month, with the release of three new AquaMini Systems, people can not only have a fish tank at the office, but a full eco-system with flowers or herbs.

As the majority of the United States has been buried in snow for the long winter, most scientists are citing global warming. The erratic weather patterns call for our children to be as educated as possible to keep our planet sustainable for years to come. A fun and engaging way to teach children about our global ecosystem is to create your own with an aquaponics system.

“Aquaponics combines aquaculture with hydroponics to raise fish and grow plants simultaneously,” affirms Sylvia Bernstein, president of The Aquaponic Source, and author of the book “Aquaponic Gardening: A Step-By-Step Guide to Raising Vegetables and Fish Together” (New Society Publishers, October 2011). “It’s an accessible, interactive way to teach kids about ecosystems and responsibility, especially during a week as important as Environmental Education Week.”