Why Gardening is Good for You

What do you do when you feel stressed?

When things aren’t going your way, and the sun seems to have lost its shine? Well, some people find the relief they need in music. Others turn to anti-depressants while another percentage opt to read a book. While all of those things can help you get rid of your blues, gardening has also cropped up in recent times as an excellent pastime that effectively combats feelings of anxiety and depression. Green thumb or not, bringing forth new plant life deserves a place on your hobby list from now on for the following reasons:

1. The sun can turn that frown upside down
   Sunlight affects us in several ways for the better. First, through its interaction with various receptors linking back to the brain, it improves mental alertness and status. Secondly, exposure to sunlight results in a spike in serotonin levels with this hormone, in turn, increasing feelings of happiness and well-being. And finally, it improves sleep quality, which plays a huge role in fighting off stress. and cultivating a good mood. The more time you spend in the sun, the more melatonin (sleep hormone) your body produces. What’s more, sunlight is also a good source of Vitamin D, which not only enhances bone development but also boosts the body’s immune system.
2. It’s like going camping, only in your backyard
   In a world consumed by technology, there is often a need to disconnect from modernity to be at one with yourself and enjoy some of the small pleasures in life. Your garden can do that for you, offering a beautiful haven to escape into your own little world of nature, where you get to see birds chirping with an appreciation for nectar and honey bees going about their business rounding up food for the day.
3. Creation fights off depression
   Have you ever noticed that it’s quite refreshing going through images of picturesque landscapes? Well, imagine how much better it feels witnessing enthralling greenery firsthand and knowing that you were responsible for that work of art.
4. Gardening keeps high blood pressure in check
   Findings of an Edinburgh University study has brought to light the fact that the sun’s UV rays can result in a considerable reduction in blood pressure which in turn keeps at bay heart diseases and the risk of a stroke. Moreover, safe sun exposure can reduce your chances of melanoma or skin cancer going by a report in the “Lancet Journal.”
5. It can assist with anger management
   Right up there alongside boxing, grabbing a shovel and taking out your frustrations on the earth has proven a highly effective means of dealing with a blinding rage. Coupled with drastic pruning or heavy digging and destroying invading weeds, you’ll work through your anger in no time.

Getting Started:

If you know as much about gardening as you do about the total volume of the planet’s water bodies, look to the following tips for a heads up:

• Keep it simple
  When overdone, gardening can add to your problems, both mental and physical. So for your first project, stick to simple plants that can sufficiently take care of themselves should you forget to water them for a couple of days. Jade, cacti, aloe vera, and succulents, in general, are good starter plants to give you the hang of gardening and the experience you need to care for more delicate varieties. You could also try your hand at it with herbs such as mint, chives, and thyme. Conversely, if you can keep up with watering and other day-to-day needs, don’t be afraid to play around with those scents and colors that appeal to you for one reason or the other.
• Know how to work with what you have
  Do you have a vast stretch of land at your disposal or a constricted balcony or patio with little to offer? If space is an issue, prioritize climbing or vining plants such as clematis. Other species with minimal space requirements also include rosa flowers, coral bells, hellebores which are all colorful and vibrant options. If space is not an issue, weave your garden around a sunken sala, or a simple table-and-chair layout, so that you can bask in the glory of your green accomplishments every now and then. Space aside, be sure to choose a location that is shielded from strong winds and has adequate sunlight exposure. Consider getting a greenhouse if your local climate is typically unforgiving.

Take Away

As technology keeps pulling us further indoors, it grows ever important to spend more time outdoors for the above reasons. With our mental health and physical health at stake, gardening offers an excellent solution to do just that.