Aly Raisman's Instagram Is a Reminder of the Calming Power of House Plants

Olympic gold medalist Aly Raisman has made a name for herself as both a gymnast and a mental health advocate. By being open about her own mental health journey and offering solidarity, Raisman has made her Instagram account a supportive community for others struggling with anxiety.

Recently, she has been sharing the things she does to prioritize self-care in her day-to-day life, such as gardening. Her latest Instagram post, a picture of herself posing next to a house plant, includes a long caption about how she focuses on the scent of flowers to feel more physically grounded in her own body – a mindfulness technique that can help alleviate stress. Raisman especially loves the scent of the flowers on lemon and lime trees.

"It brings me a sense of calm and reminds me to be in the moment. I love stopping to smell the flowers!" Raisman wrote.

For the Olympian, this seemingly simple act of mindfulness makes a big difference. In fact, she loves plants so much that she has teamed up with indoor gardening company AeroGarden.

Through AeroGarden, you can buy small table-top gardens, seed kits, and glow lights to grow flowers or vegetables year round, no matter the weather. They are perfect for adding some life and color to your home during the winter months.

Raisman curated some of her favorite products for the site. "Gardening is a passion of mine and a huge part of my wellness journey, so I am excited to be partnering with AeroGarden to encourage others to discover the pleasure of gardening and the benefits of growing at home," she said of the collaboration.

That said, everyone's experiences are different and what helps Raisman manage her anxiety may not help someone else. In her post, she urged her followers to comment the things that make them feel calm in times of stress.

"We're all unique and the same goes for what makes us feel good," she wrote.

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