A hobby for some and a therapy or escape route for others; that’s gardening. These outdoor activities are closely related to the well-being of the mind and body. We will explain why.
Nature never ceases to be kind and rewards everything that, for its good, it receives from man. Proof of this are the benefits that gardening offers to mental and emotional health. Fertilizing a plant, watering rose bushes and planting seeds, for example, are tasks that contribute to your psychological well-being.
Carrying out outdoor activities, including garden-style ones, is associated with distraction, relaxation and even creativity. There are several investigations in this regard. Here we will address them, while we tell you how you take advantage of the trade.
Gardening as an activity that promotes mental and emotional health
Life with its daily occupations takes us in a race against time, so sometimes it is necessary to disconnect from the daily hustle and bustle and give yourself a break. To do this, it is not mandatory to plan a walk or a trip; By grabbing a few tools and heading out into the garden, you gain benefits that both mind and body deserve.
There are studies that highlight this.
In a paper on the emotional effects of plants on humans, the Environmental Horticulture Magazine He pointed out, among others, the following psychological advantages:
- Memory improvements.
- Greater happiness and satisfaction.
- Reduction in the effects of dementia.
- Mitigation of post-traumatic stress disorder.
Another analysis, developed by Clinical MedicineIt refers to the implementation of therapeutic gardens in hospitals, as an ideal alternative for the environment of patients, which derives in benefits against stress. They delimit that there are more and more tests that support exposure and contact with the “green environment” for general well-being.
What gardening chores have mental and emotional health benefits?
According to the British Psychological Society, incorporating gardening into our lives involves everything from the very simple to the most laborious. You can grow sensory herbs, such as basil or mint, and avocado seeds, in the form of indoor plants, taking advantage of what is left of these species in the kitchen.
The truth is You don’t have to have a huge piece of land to reap the mental and emotional health benefits of gardening. Planting in small pots or germinating in cans are task models that occupy your thoughts and take you away from your routine for a while.
Experts add that planting, weeding and watering in larger gardens is another way to distract the mind.
These are the 5 benefits that gardening brings to your mental and emotional health
Although the benefits that gardening provides to the mind and emotions are not new, they became more noticeable after the confinement that caused the COVID-19 pandemic. During that trance, many people found in this art a space for therapy. You got a sense of control and security while growing your own food.
This is stated in a report from the University of California, presented by the Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources. This report covered several cities in the United States, Germany and Australia. The surveyed gardeners also expressed feeling joy, freedom and connection with nature.
1. Increase attention
The Ellison Chair in National Floriculture ensures that tasks performed under the calming influence of nature are performed with greater precision. Also that being outdoors strengthens memory performance and attention span.
On the other hand, a study in the Science, Technology and Innovation Magazine refers to green areas as mental restoratives that help improve academic performance. In their analysis, it was concluded that environments with ornamental vegetation give a feeling of well-being and, consequently, students take better attitudes, favoring the teaching-learning process.
In other words, being near or in a garden is favorable for attention. A fact that can be extrapolated from the academic field to gardening in favor of psychological well-being.
2. Feed self-esteem
Planting a plant and watching its growth process is a great achievement. And whenever we reach a goal, we nurture a sense of pride and raise our self-esteem.
Because? It is a project to which you dedicated time, patience and a lot of responsibility. In other words, it is a pride to make a plant alive.
A similar scenario is posed by the University of Florida: if a child plants and cares for a seed until it sprouts, he will feel like he has done magic. Likewise, young people perceive success when harvesting the food they will eat or when what they planted flourishes. This helps to increase self-confidence and, therefore, self-esteem.
3. Promotes creativity
Says the American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine that gardening increases creativity and inspiration, which is beneficial to the mental well-being of those who practice it. In particular, they talk about family gardens and the possibility of personalizing them, providing license to express and reflect passions, values and preferences through gardening.
4. Strengthens social relationships
The concept of community gardens has become popular. These spaces are considered “sociability spheres” by scientist Glover. In a work published by the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Healththe author highlights the social connections that are built during the shared act of gardening.
The author argues that, along with other social, operational and space maintenance related activities, the gardening encourages participants to share. Thus, the concept of community is reinforced.
5. Helps reduce stress and anxiety
As you focus attention on immediate gardening tasks, you minimize the negative burden that could weigh you down. The fresh air, touching the earth and feeling the sun is comfortable in the face of stressful conditions.
A controlled trial that he published in The Lancet Planetary Health review that community gardening is a way to improve stress and anxiety. At the same time, it promotes habits sustained in nature, which leads to an active and healthy life. The same work talks about the influence of these trades in reducing the risks of chronic diseases.
There is more: gardening is also beneficial for physical well-being
In addition to nourishing the mind and bringing emotions to a positive stage, spending time gardening is beneficial for your physical health. If there is no possibility to go to the gym or play sports, perhaps you will find in your garden the opportunity to keep fit.
The State University of New Jersey argues that when you grow your own food, you engage in low to moderate intensity exercise. When you dig, rake, or lift pots, you move your upper and lower body.
They add that you also increase flexibility, strengthen joints, and make your hands work better. More physical benefits of yard work? Look at the following:
- Higher bone density.
- You reduce blood pressure.
- Leg and back muscles strengthened.
Eye! Gardening is therapeutic, but by itself it is not a substitute for psychological assistance
While spending time gardening has a positive impact on mental health, by itself is not a substitute for the attention of a psychologist. There are associated professional disciplines, such as horticultural therapy, discussed in an article in the journal Personal autonomy.
These types of methods are oriented only by specialists.
According to each reality, gardening would be a complementary therapy or a hobby. If you experience persistent anxiety, depression and emotional discomfort, it is appropriate that a professional take action on the matter. On the contrary, if you find in your garden the opportunity to escape for a few minutes from the daily hustle and bustle, then take advantage and relax.
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