When people think of gardening, too often is it associated with the older crowd making it easy to dismiss as a hobby to pick up. With that being said, we are repeatedly told and even shown that gardening has a wonderful effect on our mental health, positively contributing to a happier mind set.
The purpose of this article is to squash that negative, older connotation and discover exactly why gardening offers so many benefits.
Responsibility
At times where things can feel messy and overwhelming, gardening offers an outline that gives a person a sense of control. Often personal relationships can cause stress and the lack of ability to control other people’s actions can cause stress.
With gardening you are in control so you can determine what happens (to a certain extent), where things go, what flowers you pick, what features in your garden, making the whole thing a satisfying experience.
With control comes responsibility and by having to care for plants it is the perfect way to learn how to take care of things and respect other living things. Have that responsibility of something so small that you can impact directly gives you entitlement and a sense of period during tough times.
Relaxation
The biggest draw to gardening comes in the calming nature of the task. An escape from your home and the people around you, gardening lets you be allow with your thoughts and helps you get away from pressing issues that might be troubling you.
By tending to plants, it allows us to tap into the carefree part of ourselves with no deadlines, bills or overbearing managers. Furthermore, the satisfaction you receive when you complete the job or see a flower blossom take your mind off of everything and gives you that positive feeling of win.
A Project
As we all know when things are out of your hands, whether it’s an ill relative, divorce or job worry, there is no better cure in the short term than keeping yourself occupied and throwing yourself into a new project. Your garden gives you the perfect opportunity for this. You can start again and create something completely new that you’re really proud of.
Treat yourself to a stunning water feature, a new fire pit, some outdoor occasional furniture or even some delightful decking. Get online and get researching new layouts and ideas for inspiration. Even know it won’t seem it, the change evokes change in you, giving you a clear mind and the belief that things can go the way you want them to when you put your mind to it.
The Release of Anger
Funnily enough gardening is sometimes the perfect place to vent some of that bottled up anger. There is a strong therapeutic power in gardening especially when it comes to unleashing some aggression.
Whether it’s hacking at a hedge, chopping down a tree or even pulling up those roots, the destructiveness evokes some well-needed stress release. The feeling of out with the old and in with new is mentally a great personalisation, so what are you waiting for, go cause some mess in your garden!
Live in Moment
At times, we can all be a bit hard on ourselves. Always striving for the next bit, we can find ourselves wanting to jump to the next big step whether it’s getting a new place, saving up or even having a child. This rush to complete life is mentally a constant challenge, which is why it is crucial that you take a minute to realise to live for now and not miss out on or brush past the present. One of the best ways to calm the anxious mind and lift your mood is to enjoy now by living in the present.
Next time you’re in the garden, take a second to look around and take in your surroundings. The beauty of a garden can often make you appreciate what you have now and what you’ve worked to build. This, in turn, can be applied to your life and instead of looking forward, take stock of what you have and what you have achieved.
The Takeaway
By following these simple steps and getting in that garden of yours, you may find yourself a less stressed, more appreciative person who is mentally positive for whatever is thrown your way.
