How Gardening Can Boost Your Mental Health
There’s no denying the last year has been hard on mental health. Back-to-back lockdowns, isolation from friends and family, and uncertainty over job security has left many people feeling anxious and depressed, with research revealing a 50 percent increase in emotional distress year on year.
For many, gardening has been the silver lining to a year of uncertainty. More people than ever are strapping on their gardening gloves, with 45 percent reporting being in a green space had been vital to mental health during covid.
In recognition of this year’s mental health awareness week and its theme of nature, the experts at The Greenhouse People explore how gardening can be the perfect activity for boosting mental health.
Let’s get physical
Being physically fit and healthy is an important step to taking care of your mental health, and gardening will certainly get you moving.
You might be pleased to know that just one hour of light gardening can burn between 200-400 calories, the equivalent of 30 minutes running. And you’ll still receive the same rush of feel-good endorphins as you would performing any other type of exercise.
Enjoying the outdoors has many other health benefits – from Vitamin D exposure supporting healthy bones and muscles, to natural light helping establish regular sleep cycles. All play their part in boosting mental health.
It’s fulfilling
Throughout the pandemic, people have struggled with feelings of hopelessness. However, gardening has proven to be the perfect antidote to lockdown blues, with 7 out of 10 agreeing that having a garden benefits mental health during lockdown.
Gardening can benefit those seeking more control in their lives and gives a sense of achievement and purpose during uncertain times.
There’s nothing more satisfying than being self-sufficient, so why not try your hand at growing your own food? Not only is home-grown food noticeably more delicious, but there are also plenty of nutritional benefits.
Growing your own produce allows you greater control over when to harvest ripe fruit and veg, so you’ll be able to get the most nutritional value out of your produce.
It’ll also encourage you to eat more fresh fruits and vegetables which research suggests boosts mood and emotional wellbeing.
Stress reliever
A great way to relieve stress is by relaxing in a peaceful environment. And where better to find sanctuary than in your garden?
More than just enjoying a natural setting, which has been linked to lower stress perception, gardening helps you to switch off from everyday stressors by keeping you concentrated on the task at hand.
Studies have found a significant link between frequent gardening and improved wellbeing, with those gardening at least two or three times a week maximising the benefits.
Research has also shown gardening may give anxiety sufferers the perfect opportunity to practice mindfulness. It’s a highly sensory experience, rich with different smells, sounds and textures that can distract the mind from negative thinking and allows people to focus their thoughts.
Reconnects you to nature
Getting back to nature can be just the breath of fresh air you need to boost a low mood.
In addition to the many mental health benefits of enjoying the great outdoors, gardening can help you feel more connected to all living things and provide some mental clarity. Problems can begin to subside when looking at the world through a greener lens.
As well as nurturing a connection to nature, gardening can also help forge connections with other people. This doesn’t have to be a solo activity, so why not visit a community allotment or take part in a group gardening project? These can be great ways of meeting other like-minded people while giving something back to your local area.