Start Gardening, Relieve Stress

The next time you feel stressed, don’t wait for the weekend to come and party. Grab your gardening shears instead! No wonder, urbanization is leading to a sheer increase in lifestyle diseases wherein around 300 million people are suffering from depression. According to a study published in the Journal of Health Psychology, gardening was reported as being more effective at reducing stress than reading a book. Gardening is one of the simplest life pleasures which connects you with nature in a way you probably crave.

Gardening and stress relieve

Companionship: People suffering from psychological problems often tend to be introvert and rarely do they have any company to keep them occupied. Gardening provides companionship and makes them overcome the feeling of self-absorption. A happy garden gives happy moments and the plants would never judge if you watered them or your friend did. All they know is to give unconditional love and happiness.

Reconnect with nature: The smell of soil when you water them and the beautiful flowers blooming around are sufficient to keep our mind fresh and soul happy. It is a scientifically proven fact that spending time with nature releases happy feeling hormones in our body. Exposure to green spaces reduces the risk of type II diabetes, cardiovascular disease, premature death, preterm birth, stress, and high blood pressure.

Helps in Exercise: Digging, weeding, planting and harvesting are all physical activities that release endorphins and keeps us physically fit. Body enjoys fresh, clean air and soaks up vitamin D from the sun. Release your extra calories and be physically and mentally fit.

Develops a sense of responsibility: When you grow plants, you start taking care of them. Watering them on time, providing the required nourishment, looking for the diseased portions and all such other tasks inculcate a sense of responsibility in one’s personality followed by a sense of accomplishment. That satisfaction after the first blooms of spring emerge is incomparable.

Connect with people: As they say, ‘Gardeners love to reach out to gardeners.’ Despite the differences in age, it creates a good teaching-learning relationship wherein people love to interact with like-minded people and share their experiences and knowledge. This acts as a recreational activity and relieves people from their stressful and monotonous routine.

Cultivate your creativity: Gardening is a great platform to encourage your creativity! It speaks a lot about your personality and your favorite colors especially. Whether your garden is wild and woolly or elegant and admirable, it all reflects your choice. You can design it as you like and have your own bit of beauty available as a place for meditation, contemplation, and relaxation.