The positive effects of gardening on mental health and well-being are well-documented. Research shows that those who engage in this activity feel a sense of empowerment in a non-threatening space, made possible by the flexible nature of gardening and outdoor projects. This proves particularly beneficial for people with learning disabilities and mental health issues. While many might say that gardening therapy is a hippie, it’s actually something that offers far more benefits than embellishing the outdoors.
Embrace your responsibilities
Gardening gives you a sense of responsibility. Even little children can have their own spot to tend in the garden. At an early age, they learn how to care for plants and also look after the other living things. This is a simple way of letting children appreciate nature’s magic. For adults, this can translate to a more organized lifestyle and a deeper understanding of the most essential things in your life.
Tap into your nurturing skills
One of the best things about plants is that they don’t care about who’s tending them. Males, females, transgender, young, and old can get into gardening. Even people with mental health issues can have some piece of the action, allowing them to participate in a transformative activity that could do wonders for their self-esteem.
People with physical disabilities can also try gardening therapy without leaving their house. Indoor gardening is increasingly becoming popular. Setting up a mini indoor greenhouse is enough to get started. This list by 420expertadviser comes in handy as you pick the right LED grow light for your indoor gardening needs.
Release happy hormones
Many studies show that gardening increases serotonin and dopamine levels while simultaneously decreasing cortisol levels. While you may feel tired after a gardening session, this could be helpful for getting rid of excess energy, enabling you to get a better night’s sleep. In many ways, it’s similar to getting your regular dose of exercise.
Live in the moment
It’s easy to get caught up amidst all the noise of this busy world. You may often catch yourself ruminating on past events and worrying about the future. But what about the here and now? Gardening serves as an effective therapy for calming down an anxious mind. Avid gardeners often share about how even small activities in their garden lift up their mood and become more in the moment. It only takes a few seconds to use all your senses. Listen to the rumbling of the leaves, feel the sturdiness of the stems, smell the sweet scent of the flowers, and see the many wonders of nature.
Vent your anger
When gardening, you’ll be reminded of the cycle of life. There comes a time when plants die, and you need to move on or risk damaging the entire garden. In the same vein, many horticulturists use gardening to vent their anger and frustration. Activities like cutting and yanking stems can feel great in a strange way, especially if you need to release those horrible thoughts from your mind. But what’s important is that after all this, you need to nurture the garden once more to see continuous growth.