Wonderful Ways Gardening Benefits Your Mental Health

Undeniably, stress is one of the biggest issues faced in society today. It is a significant contributor to the number of mental health and cardiovascular diseases in the UK, and indeed worldwide. Simply put, it has never been more important than now to find ways to manage stress; for both the preservation of your mental and physical wellbeing. Given the ongoing crisis when it comes to depression and anxiety, the former is especially prominent at the moment. Whilst relaxing strategies like reading, baths and meditation do a world of good; outdoor activities like walking and gardening have wonderful benefits on your mental health. In fact studies have shown that not only can garden time lower anxiety and combat depression but has extensively positive effects on stress and high blood pressure too.

It Gets You Out of Your Head

Anxiety worsens when you find yourself stuck in a negative thought loop. You worry about one thing, then another and more things still; eventually, you are even worrying about how much you are worrying. It’s exhausting but all too common and a difficult process to remove yourself from.

When it comes to gardening, a lot of focus is required; so, it’s easier to stay in the here and now rather than the before or after. Whether digging, delicately positioning a plant, working out what next or just appreciating your little slice of the natural world; it gets you out of your head and in the moment, even just for a while.

A Sense of Purpose

Whilst responsibility can be overwhelming when struggling mentally, people inherently have a need to care for something and feel as though are needed. Plants, flowers and trees are living things that thrive under the right care but equally don’t ask anything of us. The lack of pressure but the feeling of being needed does all kinds of positive things for the brain chemistry of those struggling with mental health illness.

Exercise

The benefits of staying physical during mental health issues are well documented. Whilst I have mixed thoughts on this, I do see the appeal of being outside and going for walks during these times. Endorphins released during exercise, give the body a feeling of satisfaction and pleasure similar to that of morphine and also numb the perception of pain.

Depending on your approach to gardening it can either be intense bursts of exercise or slow and gradual, either way it is an effective means to release those endorphins.

Time with Nature

The “urban jungle” does little to satisfy the soul. Sure, it’s a symbol of progress and what humanity can achieve but something about it is draining. People are meant to stay connected with nature, at least that’s how I feel. Of course, there are many ways to achieve this. It has been proven that even flowers or plants in your living space are satisfying.

Green space is inherently relaxing and soothing, it’s one of the reasons that parks are such vital parts of urban design; spending time in your own dedicated slice of nature is an effective means of fighting the anxiety that comes from urban isolation and reconnecting with the natural world.

If you’re looking to chill out in your relaxing and curated space afterwards, you could even consider a hammock. After all, gardening does wonders for your mental health, but so does time spent appreciating the outdoors.

Disclosure: this is a collaborative post, all opinions are however my own.