Mental Health and Gardening
Gardening has been considered a form of therapy for years. In actuality, it has been connected to a variety of mental health issues. It has been demonstrated that gardening can make people feel better about themselves in a variety of ways, from sadness to anxiety and even PTSD. Here are some explanations for why gardening is such an effective stress reliever.
Plants make people happy
Plants make us happy. It’s a simple fact, and one that has been proven time and time again by scientists. In fact, there are some studies that have shown that people who grow their own plants are happier than those who don’t.
The reason for this is pretty obvious: plants are beautiful! They can be found in every corner of our homes—on tables or windowsills or even hanging from ceilings (yes, plants can hang). We love them because they bring joy into our lives with their bright colors and unique shapes; they help purify air as well as provide shade from direct sunlight; they provide food for wildlife which helps maintain balance on Earth;
Gardening can help you feel more connected to the world outside, and be good for the planet in general
Gardening is excellent for the environment and can increase your sense of connection to the outer world.
Gardening is excellent for the environment since it helps you grow your own food and take care of plants. You can also connect with the environment, other people, and oneself through it.
Gardening can help you relax, which is good for your mental health
A fantastic stress-relieving exercise is gardening. Your mental health will benefit if you can relax. You can get better sleep and experience less anxiety and also feel less depressed by gardening.
Stress reduction, improved sleep, and a greater sense of connection to the outside world can all be achieved through gardening. Additionally, it might assist you in finding delight in the everyday pleasures that make up your existence.
Gardening is a terrific method to unwind because it requires both physical effort and mental concentration on something other than oneself (like planting seeds). There is no need to stress or worry when you are gardening since it is simple for your thoughts to drift away from everything else happening on around you.
Sleep: When we get a good night's rest, our bodies begin to repair all of the harm brought on by going about our daily lives. However, if we don't get enough rest, those same cells will start to deteriorate once more and cause additional issues in the future! If this seems like anything similar happening inside YOUR body, I strongly advise taking occasional naps while gardening, especially if such activities involve putting weird new plants in the ground that will need ongoing care as they develop into trees and other large plants over time.
Gardening helps you connect with others.
Gardening is a social activity that can foster relationships. Gardening is a great way to meet others who have similar interests, whether you're growing plants in your backyard or helping at the neighbourhood garden centre.
The fact that gardening is frequently done on weekends and holidays means that the only time restrictions are those imposed by your own schedule, which may be convenient for you! Online, you'll have plenty of opportunity for communication with other gardeners; some of them may even be eager to share their expertise on specific plant varieties with you.
Growing plants is a terrific way to unwind and get in touch with your body and mind. Everyone benefits as it's also beneficial for the environment.
Resources:
Gardening - A Better Life, and A Greater World
Mental Health QnA with Harvard Psychiatrist!
Instagram - dynamicpsyche (Clinical Psychologist
The 10 Most Common Mental Illnesses
Is it really okay to not be okay?
Do we always have a reason for everything?
Acknowledgement is the first step in managing your mental health
