It has long been known that gardens and green spaces are beneficial for your mental health and wellbeing.
But what is it specifically about gardening that makes it such a beneficial hobby to pursue in regards to our mental wellbeing?
- Green spaces are known to have a massive impact on how relaxed you feel. Have you ever felt anxious and gone out for a walk in the local park or to a local beauty spot? Did you notice the difference it made to your general mood? I’m willing to bet from personal experience that you felt much more relaxed and better in yourself. Getting out into your garden and doing some gardening has this same effect on your mood. Even better, its free and just outside your back door!
- Being at one with nature. Feeling like you’re a part of nature and that you’re making a difference in some small way is very beneficial to your mental wellbeing. Studies have shown that getting out into nature lowers stress, anxiety, blood pressure and heart rate, improving your mood instantly.
- Nurturing plants as a living being. Nurturing a plant from a seed or cutting is not too dissimilar from nurturing a pet or any other living thing. The sense of pride and achievement that you’ve managed to nurture this plant to grow strong and healthy gives your mental wellbeing and confidence a boost.
- The effect of sunshine on your mood. Sunshine is believed to spark the release of serotonin in the brain which can help with anxiety and depression. Just the feeling of the warm sun on your skin has the ability to boost your mood instantly. So, the next time the sun is shining, why not get out into your garden and experience its mood boosting properties for yourself? Always remember to enjoy the sun in moderation though and make sure to wear sunscreen, sunhat and sunglasses. Just 10 minutes of sun exposure can lift your mood as well as your vitamin D. Win win!
- Being able to practice mindfulness while gardening. There are so many ways you can practice mindfulness while gardening. When you’re in your garden, listen to all the sounds around you such as birds singing and leaves rustling in the wind. Take note of the scent from flowers and the feel of plants and foliage when you handle them. Let all your senses be stimulated and allow them to bring you back into the present. Mindfulness is known to help people overcome feelings of anxiety and depression, so why not give it a go next time you’re out in your garden?
- Creating something beautiful to look at. Not only is the fact that you’re creating something beautiful that is just for you a big mood booster, but looking at something which is aesthetically pleasing instantly lifts your mood and makes you want to go out in your garden.
- The effect of colour on your mood. When designing your garden, it’s important to think about how you want your garden to make you feel and then choose plants and colours accordingly. Cool colours and pastels have a calming effect whereas warm colours excite and stimulate.
- Fresh air and exercise release endorphins which lift your mood and make you feel happier. Gardening is a beneficial form of exercise with the added bonus that you can take advantage of the positive effects that gardening and green spaces can have on your mental wellbeing.
- Sense of achievement. That sense of achievement you get when you try something new and create something which you are proud of. That feeling of pride you get when you succeed at something has such a powerful effect on your mental wellbeing.