Spending time in a green environment stimulates positive and happy feelings. You must have experienced this yourself while visiting a mango grove or hiking into the woods. Gardening brings out the same emotions because you are surrounded by green plants.
Not just that, when you garden, you bring and nurture new lives into the world. So even though the act of gardening can be a bit laborious, the fruits of this labor are sweet. That reward comes in the form of a wholesome bag of pleasant emotions that ultimately help our mental health. Here are some ways in which gardening helps improve our mental health:
Reduces Stress
A research in Sweden reports that people who garden regularly suffered less from stress. In Philadelphia, 144 farmers were asked why they garden and the second most popular response was that it helps with their mental health. In a world where we are all technology bound, being around nature is a breath of fresh air for our mind. Gardening as a break from your routine is highly beneficial for your mental health as it helps you truly unplug from your normal routine.
Mood Booster
Gardening productively can make you feel more peaceful and content at the moment. Growing and taking care of plants is a huge task and when you do it successfully, it’s bound to make you feel accomplished. When you see the fruits of your labor, you will get a sense of utmost satisfaction.
Improves Attention Span
If you struggle with paying attention to a singular activity at a time, then gardening can help you learn to focus better on one task at a time. Those who garden regularly have longer attention spans. People who have anger management issues can help reduce the number of triggers by working with plants as it provides a sense of accomplishment. All the activities performed during gardening ask for full attention but you can also take the time to enjoy all the beauty surrounding you.
Provides Exercise
Working in a garden every day can provide the much-needed exercise easily. Physical activities like weeding, digging, and raking are great exercises. This means that gardening regularly can improve your mood and reduce anxiety, depression and even help prevent dementia. If you don’t like going to the gym, then the garden is the perfect playground for you. Exercising also releases endorphins in your brain that help reduces stress and pain. According to SAGA Magazine, only half an hour of gardening burns the following amount of calories during each activity:
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Weeding: 105 calories
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Raking: 100 calories
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Digging and shoveling: 250 calories
Regular gardening can help you sleep better and maintain a healthy sleep schedule, as well. Based on similar concept, “First Ever Agro Gym” was launched in Kerala last year!
Promotes Healthy Eating
Those who grow their own produce in their gardens know how beneficial healthy eating is. When you put in the work and efforts into growing the food, it tastes even better. Eating organic, fresh food is good for your overall health, as well. Apart from that, being out in the garden gives you enough sunlight to replenish Vitamin D in your system, which helps boost your immune system.
