The gentle breeze, the newly grown leaf, the most awaited flower, the vibrant red, orange and blues touches all senses and that’s how gardening improves our mental health. Gardening adds happiness – who better knows other than we, the gardeners. Few moments spent in the garden are so fulfilling.
The new baby plant near the mom plant – and the sign of life in the plant which we thought will not survive !! What to say about the rainbow coloured butterfly visiting the baby pink flower.
True that, gardening is not loved by all. But there is no other thought that Gardening is beneficial for both physical and mental health. Daily visit to our garden gives immense sense of fulfillment which rarely we get in this fast forward and demanding life. Garden – is our own space where we get chance to clear our mind, mingle with nature and forget stress.
Heard of cortisol – the stress hormone ? Gardening helps to reduce cortisol levels. And what else – it increases endorphins (happy hormones).
For long time, urban human is staying away from nature. But now, plenty of research proves that Individuals who suffer from anxiety or depression have found gardening to be incredibly beneficial for a better life.
Lot of people started gardening after losing their near ones and slowly they found peace of mind wth those beautiful flowers and foliages. Talking about plants, scrolling flower images releases happy hormones, releases stress and promoted positive energy.
The bright flowers, the fragrance, the look and the feel of the flower and foliages – visuals to aroma, gardening offers it all. Soft grasses to the sound of breezes rustling through leaves – gardening kindles your senses. The fragrance of Night Queen and the old memories of grand maa often connects all our senses. So is it right that gardening is for happiness ? Certainly.
Gardening is so engaging. A lonely person can remain busy all day with propagating, watering plants, preparing soil, learning more, preparing compost, cleaning, mulching, pruning. A dying plant gives a sweet worry and keeping an eye for the same is all time engagement like a mom looks after a toddler. Talking with plants, sharing moments with plants releases happy hormones and releases stress.
Now that Scientists have discovered that the mycobacterium found in soil can improve brain functions while boosting moods – by getting our hands dirty, we’re also making our brain happy. Also gardening requires physical exercise. Moving the plants from here to there, pruning, mulching, cutting, watering all needs physical movement of body which increases blood circulation and wowww we get a great health while working for our garden outside and get Vitamin D from sun
As they say an idle mind is devil’s workshop, gardening is just opposite. Gardening makes you feel more peaceful and content. Focusing your attention on the immediate tasks and details of gardening can reduce negative thoughts and feelings and can make you feel better in the moment.
Few people are insanely-in-love with plants, including me. Trust me, the feeling is contagious. Sharing plants, looking for new plants, getting the much awaited plant and successful propagation of a lovely plant – it’s a whole new world of happiness. It gives a purpose to life, it adds zing to mundane routine and of course through sharing plants we come closer to like minded people
No research was needed to prove gardening is able to reduce stress and improve mood, with a reduction in symptoms of depression and anxiety. Gardening is a way of life to ignore family dramas and come closer to nature.