Quarantining at home for almost an entire year has really made us seek out those safe activities that bring us joy. For me, my favorite part of the day is when I put my laptop away and head outside. I check in on my flower garden and tend to my chickens. It’s so simple, but so enjoyable. Gardening is one of those things that has a surprising amount of positive benefits, even if you don’t live on a bountiful farm. More and more people have been turning to gardening for their mental health, and after you read why, you might suddenly find yourself with a green thumb.
Gardening gives you a sense of purpose
This happens when you get directly involved in something that is hands-on and can see the end result of your effort. There’s a sense of pride and validation in choosing the plants, herbs and flowers that make you happy, and the pride you feel with seeing results for your work.
Gardening allows you to be a nurturer
It doesn’t matter if you are a budding gardener or a professional horticulturist, gardening underlines that we are all nurturers. Horticulture is a great equalizer: plants don’t care who is tending to them, all they know is that they need you. Helping plants grow stimulates our identity as nurturers.
Pro tip: Even if you have a small space and are limited to indoor plants, buy yourself a new plant that you are excited about nurturing, and name it after yourself. Naming a plant after yourself encourages feeling of self-compassion and self-love as you tend to your little sprout.
Gardening keeps us connected to living things
Gardening provides a connection to our world. Many people feel that connection in a visceral way when they eat food they’ve just harvested. Gardening can act as a gentle reminder to us that we are not the center of the universe. Focusing on the great outdoors – even in the pared-down form of a patio – can encourage us to be less insular.
Gardening helps boost your happiness
The outdoor nature of gardening, whether it’s digging a hole in a lawn or opening the window to let your seedlings get some sunshine, is so beneficial for mental health. Sunlight exposure boosts the body’s production of vitamin D, which can raise levels of serotonin in the brain, helping improve your mood.
Gardening is basically meditation
Gardening allows you to practice mindfulness, even if you don’t realize it, as gardening also requires immense focus. If you’re racking your brain trying to come up with moments of mindfulness in the garden, look no further than each time you stand back and admire the fruits of your labor.
Gardening connects you with your community
First, it’ll help you connect with the sources of your food, the soil providers, the growers and the farmers, but it also connects you with other people in your community. Whether it’s seeking advice from fellow gardeners or sharing a bountiful harvest with your neighbors, gardening brings you together with all kinds of people.
