Can gardening and emotional well-being be linked? Growing up, my grandparents lived right around the corner from me, and I was able to visit with them often. Whenever I would arrive at their house, I would find the closet door inside of their carport wide open. My Papa’s rake, hoe, and other gardening tools were usually leaned up against the bricks outside of the open door. It almost never failed.
Papa would always be found in his backyard, weeding, planting, pruning, watering. I often found him kneeling down beside one of his many flower beds. Usually nurturing and caring for his beautiful plants and flowers. He loved to walk around his backyard and show me his new plants, the ones he was pruning, and the ones boasting beautiful, new blooms.
My Papa was a humble and quiet man who found peace, comfort, and grounding in his garden. He loved to work with his hands and make things grow. He found joy and pride in caring for and nurturing the plants and flowers growing in his backyard.
Gardening and Emotional Well-Being
Maybe you, too, have known someone who is an avid gardener. Some gardeners enjoy growing herbs and other gardeners, vegetables and fruit. There are gardeners who enjoy lush green plants and blooming flowers. Still others enjoy caring for houseplants, bringing nature indoors.
Believe it or not, gardening has been shown to improve mental health and emotional well-being. Maybe, like me, you have never considered yourself to have a green thumb. Well, the truth is, a green thumb can be learned. And now may be the perfect time to hone in on this therapeutic activity.
So, what is the connection between gardening and mental health?
Gardening allows us to channel our inner “Nurturer”
All of us have a desire to nurture and care for things. Gardening provides an outlet for that desire. Caring for a plant or flower allows us to water, prune, and aid in the growth and development of something.
People feel good when they nurture and care for things, and the act of nurturing actually boosts our self esteem. When you begin to water and care for a plant or flower, you feel pride in taking care of something.
It helps you to get outside of yourself for a while, focus on something else, and enjoy connecting with your internal sense of nurturing.
Gardening helps increase a sense of achievement
When you plant seeds in the earth, care for them, watch a plant sprout, and see it grow – it is exciting. If you plant vegetables, the first time you harvest that vegetable and then eat it, there is a sense of pride that follows. The first time I did this, I was amazed at the whole process of growing food. I felt so proud of myself!
The same goes for any plant or flower that you grow or take care of. When you succeed, there is a huge sense of pride and achievement that follows.
If you are new to gardening, start with a small house plant like a snake plant or aloe plant. They are very low maintenance, but you will feel a sense of achievement as you learn to care for it and keep it alive and growing. For more information on low maintenance plants, click here.
Gardening helps us to live in the present
Let’s face it, our minds are constantly racing. We replay past conversations and worry if we said the right things. We anticipate future events and worry about how they will go. Gardening gives us a chance to be present in the moment.
When we let go of the past and the future for a while, our anxiety lessens. When you’re outside caring for plants, you can pause and be fully aware of your senses. You can hear the birds chirping, feel the soil in your hands. You can maybe even taste an herb or vegetable.
Gardening gives us a place to escape and be present in the here and now, which is very grounding for those struggling with anxiety and depression.
Gardening gives us a sense of control
For those who struggle with anxiety, a common cause is that life feels out of control. Gardening gives us a place to feel in control. You can control where you plant your flowers. You can control when you water them and when you weed your garden.
This all makes gardening an overall satisfying experience and can help reduce anxiety levels. Caring for and watching a plant grow and live, can bring a big sense of control to your life.
Gardening releases feel good hormones
Because gardening often encourages movement and time outdoors, it is a healthy activity for your body. Sunlight and movement release endorphins in your body, which help you feel good and lower stress levels.
Gardening can help to release pent up energy as you engage in pruning or weeding. So, go pull some weeds in the sun and get those happy hormones flowing through your body!
Now is a great time to start!
Spring is on the way, and this is a great time of year to plant a garden, buy a houseplant, or grow some herbs in pots on your back patio. Stress levels and anxiety are at an all time high for most people right now, and gardening may be just what you need to help reduce your stress.
If your mental health or anxiety is interfering with your daily life, our counselors are here to help! Please give us a call at 912-319-5552. We have an easy online scheduling tool for your convenience as well. We would love to help you work through life’s challenges!