Wellbeing in the Garden

Beal Botanical Garden is a favorite place for people from campus and the community to unplug from the chaos of their everyday lives and enjoy the beauty of plants and nature. We also provide programming that can give you a path to improved wellbeing. 

Our guided tours to campus spaces where you can connect to nature, called Beal Nature Walks will be held from 22 February through 31 May. Reconnect with nature, get outside, slow down, take a breath, and even learn a little botany. Over the course of spring, we’ll host weekly walking tours in the Beal Botanical Garden, on the historic oval around Beaumont Tower, Sanford Natural Area, and Baker Woodlot. The Beal Botanical Garden aims to promote wellbeing in the MSU community by building off the research showing that being outside supports physical and mental health with increased activity and facilitating connection, relaxation, and healing. These events will focus on spring ephemerals, nature walks, sustainability, forest bathing, plant identification, birding, and simply being together outside with fellow Spartans. Look for details on the Beal Botanical Garden events page.

Nurture Your Roots is a program that allows you to explore wellbeing by accessing a variety mindfulness exercises at “rooting stations” located throughout the garden. These exercises were developed by your student and faculty peers across campus and highlight the connection between wellbeing and nature. 

During the warmer season we also partner with MSU Health4U and IM Circle to offer Pilates in the Garden. Watch the events page for more information. 

We also offer our Campus Meditation Map, which highlights places across campus where you can take a moment to center yourself and practice self-care, or just enjoy a beautiful view.