How Gardening Can Improve Your Mental And Physical Health

Working in a garden can be a great way to stay in shape and reduce stress, but many people aren’t aware of just how many benefits it can provide. Not only can it help you stay active, it can help with joint pain, anxiety, and creativity. The joy of gardening can be shared with loved ones, as well; if you have children or grandchildren, it’s something that you can do together, and young people can learn a lot from working in the dirt. Earth science, math, and empathy can all be taught while planting flowers and edibles.

Photo via Pixabay by Mploscar

One of the great things about gardening is that you don’t need to have a huge space to do it in; a small section of your yard, a window box, or a row of hedges in front of your home can all work for different plants. Think about the kind of space you have and what type of plants will work best in it, as well as how much sun different areas around your house get during the day. You can also start thinking about any physical or mental health issues that you want to work on.

Here are some of the best ways to help your body and mind while gardening.

Get creative

Gardening is an activity that you can alter to your mood. If you’re feeling creative, you can do some research on different landscape ideas and how to plant various breeds of flower, mixing colours or clustering them together to make a beautiful visual presentation. If you simply want to get outside and work in the dirt to relieve stress without thinking too much, that’s great too! Gardens tend to require quite a bit of work, so keep that in mind when you’re planning. If you won’t have too much time to dedicate to it, consider starting a small one that can be made bigger if you decide to expand it later.

Ease your stress

Working out in the sunshine, doing something enjoyable that yields tangible results, can help ease the stress of everyday life and keep anxiety at bay.

"When you sit at a desk all day, there's something about literally putting your hands in the dirt, digging and actually creating something that's really beautiful. There's something about just being out there that feels kind of elemental,” says avid gardener Gillian Aldrich.

Whether you work in an office all day or are retired and need a break from life’s stresses, gardening can provide some comfort.

Help the environment

Having a garden can help the environment in many ways, from providing green space and food for the bee population to helping you and your family eat healthier. If you decide to go with a greenhouse rather than a traditional garden area, consider using solar power to keep your plants healthy and thriving. Solar greenhouses use the sun in conjunction with natural materials and smart design to grow plants and flowers, making them a perfect energy-efficient choice in the battle against global warming, which will help you feel like you’re participating in a worthy cause.

For more information on how to create your own solar greenhouse, click here.

Get healthy

Gardening is a great workout, but it can also help you and your family get healthier in general if you’re growing fruits and veggies. Studies have shown that people who grow their own foods tend to eat better, and kids who grow up in a home where those healthy foods go straight from the ground to the table usually have better eating habits.

Gardening can help you make better choices, bond with your family, and reduce stress and anxiety while keeping you active, meaning it also reduces your risk of illnesses like heart disease and diabetes. Do some research online to find out the best plants for the area you live in and ask a loved one for some help getting started.