Even if the demands of life, or the limitations of our bodies, restrict the energy and time we can spend on our healing, we can start somewhere. If we spend much of the day in bed we can open the windows to let the fresh air and the birdsong in, we can sow a pot of seeds for our windowsill and watch them grow day by day. Creating even such a small spark of life gives a sense of responsibility that can prompt enough motivation to get out of bed to water a wilting plant, even when we lack the will to fetch a glass of water for ourselves. Even better, we can sow herbs in pots and have the satisfaction of creating something to give away to friends, family or carers.

We may only be able to potter around the house, but a couple of large containers on a patio or balcony will draw us outside in our pottering and give us something creative to distract from the internal misery. If we plant something edible and beautiful, like french beans with their purple and white flowers, or a strawberry, we create a feast for the eye and the mouth and nourish our body as well as our soul.