In the modern age, almost everyone seems to have symptoms of mental health disorders. This is no coincidence. People nowadays are faced with different factors that can lead to high levels of stress, anxiety, loneliness, and depression.
However, even in today’s world, there are still ways to fight stress, anxiety, and depression. Gardening is one of them!
The benefits of gardening to mental health are well-studied. Multiple research papers have proven that gardening can improve a person’s overall well-being, including their mental health. In fact, doctors are now prescribing gardening, or spending time in a garden, as part of the treatment for mental health distress.
Plus it has other benefits which you will learn about right now.
Gardening can improve your mood immediately
Just being outside in nature can have a positive effect on our mental health. But when you add physical activity to the equation, the results are amazing! And gardening is an excellent type of physical activity that also improves moods by increasing serotonin levels.
Serotonin is a neurotransmitter that helps regulate mood, sleep, and appetite. It’s also known as the “happy hormone” because it can elevate moods and create a feeling of happiness. When serotonin levels are low, people can experience symptoms of anxiety and depression.
Gardening can help increase serotonin levels by providing physical activity, fresh air, and sunlight. The combination of these things can help boost serotonin production in the brain. This is why gardening is such an effective treatment for anxiety and depression – it helps to increase serotonin levels naturally.
So after gardening, do not be surprised if you feel happier than before working in your garden!
Gardening makes us happy because it puts us into ‘Flow’
Gardening can help ease symptoms of anxiety and depression, as well as help to improve moods. It does this by triggering a mental state called “flow.”
The state of flow is a mental state that is often associated with happiness and creativity. It is a state in which a person is completely absorbed in an activity, and they lose track of time and their surroundings.
It is often described as being in the “zone,” where a person is completely focused on the task at hand, and they are not distracted by anything else. This can lead to a feeling of happiness and satisfaction, as well as increased creativity.
Flow is often reached when a person is engaged in an activity that they are good at and enjoy. This is why many people describe gardening as being in a state of flow, because it is something they enjoy doing and they are good at it.
When we are in a state of flow, our sense of time disappears because we become fully immersed in what we are doing – gardening! So instead of thinking about the past or future, gardening puts us into the present moment – where there is no stress or anxiety.
Gardening gives us a sense of accomplishment
When you garden, you see your efforts pay off instantly. You from one seed to another plant- it’s kind of like watching something grow right before your eyes . This helps people relax and feel good about themselves because they can see the results of their hard work.
Gardening allows you to spend time in nature
When we get outside and immerse ourselves in nature, this has a calming effect on our minds and bodies. It reduces stress, lowers blood pressure, and it also gives us more energy! Plus natural environments like gardens are good for our mental health because they connect us with the earth and help us feel more grounded.
How to Create a Stress-Free Garden
Gardening, however, requires a lot of work and know-how. While it seems easy, people need to know how to sow seeds and care for different plants.
If you don’t have the time or energy to commit to a regular garden, there are some ways to create a low-maintenance garden. You can choose plants that don’t require a lot of care, and you can also choose plants that don’t need to be watered often.
You can also install an irrigation system that can monitor moisture conditions and automatically turn on the sprinklers. This removes the possibility of overwatering and underwatering your garden.
Just make sure that you select plants that will thrive in your climate and environment. And also make sure that you research the needs of each plant before you plant them in your garden.
Gardening has risen to popularity in the past couple of years for good reasons. People gain mental health benefits from the activity in addition to having a lush and beautiful backyard.
