How Gardening And Plant Care Can Help Improve Your Mental Health

By Author: Rita Holland
Total Articles: 131
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As homeowners, we frequently find refuge in the personal corners of our houses in the midst of our hectic lives.Whether it's the cosy nook by the window or the cherished family photos lining the corridor.However, there is a sanctuary that is often forgotten and provides more than simply aesthetic appeal: the garden. It's not simply the vibrant flowers and carefully manicured hedges. It's about how attention to these greens can have a dramatic effect on our mental tapestry.Consider Mrs. Thompson from down the block for a moment.She was a long-time homeowner who once admitted that her garden served as a stabilising factor in her life at the most trying times. The routine of planting, watering, and watching life unfold in front of her eyes was calming. Many homeowners, like Mrs. Thompson, discover a hidden haven for the mind among the petals and leaves.


The Sensory Therapy of Gardening
Nature has an extraordinary power to soothe our souls, which is no secret. The gentle rustling of leaves, the exquisite designs of petals, and the delicious fragrances floating in the air all ...
... contribute to sending us to a state of serenity. But have you ever thought about why this happens? It's a graceful interaction of our senses, a harmonic dance that effortlessly relieves the tension of modern life.


Multi-Sensory Engagement is Nature’s Stress Reliever
Dive into any scientific magazine and you'll find a trove of papers describing the profound effect multi-sensory experiences have on our thinking. Simply put, engaging more than one of our senses, especially in a favourable situation, can quickly alleviate the day's problems.  Gardening puts a rich tapestry of sensory joys at your fingertips.

Touch

Have you ever crumbled earth in your hands or felt the silky touch of a leaf? There's something magical going on there. It's reassuring. The tactile connection with nature develops a sense of belonging, reminding us of the age-old tie that humans have with the environment. Some professionals even recommend'soil therapy,' which involves sinking your hands deep into the earth and allowing its coolness to replenish your spirit.

Sight

Every garden is a kaleidoscope of colours, with each hue promising improved moods. A bed of flowering marigolds or a cascade of fuchsia bougainvillaea can provide an instant pick-me-up. Nature's own brand of therapy, the brilliant bursts of colour, rejuvenate our spirits.

Smell

Gardens definitely flourish as sensory powerhouses here. The sweet perfume of lavender flowing through the evening air is not just delightful; it has also been scientifically shown to calm and relieve anxiety. The energising aroma of rosemary, on the other hand, helps increase concentration, making it a fragrant and efficient remedy to brain fog.

Taste

The fruits (and vegetables!) of your labour. There's nothing like picking a cherry tomato right off the vine and savouring its sun-kissed flavour. It's nature's reward for your hard work, and it's a tasty reminder of the lawn care and growth cycle.
Consider designing your garden to your favourite sensory delight for a really personalised healing experience. 
Create your own aroma garden, a specialised spot filled with fragrant herbs and flowers that soothe and elevate, for homeowners who find peace in scents. It's a one-of-a-kind endeavour, but it offers numerous moments of aromatic delight. 


Soil is the Natural Antidepressant
Perhaps you've noticed it, perhaps after a day of gardening - that undeniable boost in spirits, a weight removed, a sense of serenity. While we frequently ascribe this to the thrill of being in nature, there's another player at work beneath your feet: the soil itself.


Meet Mycobacterium vaccae
Have you ever heard of Mycobacterium vaccae? Unless you've delved deep into the annals of microbiology, probably not. However, this humble microbe, which lives peacefully in our garden soils, contains the key to happiness. Happiness, indeed! When you put your hands in the soil, you unwittingly transfer this beneficial bacterium into your body. And this is where the magic happens: studies have shown that Mycobacterium vaccae has the ability to increase serotonin levels. That's right, just like the endorphins released during a good workout or a good laugh.


The Serotonin Connection
Serotonin, also known as the "happy chemical," regulates our moods, emotions, and even sleep habits. A natural increase in serotonin can lead to emotions of happiness, serenity, and contentment. Consider Mycobacterium vaccae to be nature's own antidepressant, right in your own garden.


Making the Most of Nature's Mood Enhancer
Embracing this soil secret is not just for seasoned gardeners. This advantage is available to all homeowners. Here are a few ideas for increasing soil engagement:

Potting: Plants, whether flowers, herbs, or green bushes, can be potted.


Repotting: As plants grow, so should their surroundings. Repotting not only gives your plants more space, but it also allows you to spend more time in the soil.


Planting with bare hands: Set aside the gloves on occasion. Feel the soil's coldness, texture, and granules slipping between your fingers.

A Quick Dip for Prolonged Bliss
Here's the golden nugget: only a few minutes of direct soil engagement can boost your mood for hours. It's like charging a battery: a fast plug-in for long-term benefits. What's more, the best part? There are no adverse effects and no prescriptions. Just a natural mood booster right at your fingertips. 


Physical Benefits Translating to Mental Wellness
You've probably felt it: the peaceful moment of respite as you kneel down to inspect a blooming flower or the tingling satisfaction of muscles worked after a productive afternoon of gardening. These appear to be brief moments at first view. However, you will discover a treasure of interwoven physical and mental benefits that gardening provides to homeowners.


The Symbiotic Bond of Physical and Mental Health
Before we dive into the green thicket, let us establish a fundamental truth: the health of our body and mind are inextricably linked. The pride and joy we gain from keeping our space are mirrored in our mental and physical states as homeowners. When one thrives, the other frequently follows.


The Physical Regiment of Gardening is an Understated Workout Strength:

Strength: Consider a bag of compost or potting soil for a moment. Isn't it heavy? Consider lifting it, transferring it, and possibly emptying it out to replenish a plant bed. This isn't just any old exercise; it's a strength training programme. Every lift, every shovel-full of earth, every weed-pulling tug summons and hone your muscles, fortifying your body one repetition at a time.


Flexibility: Consider the beautiful arc of your back when you lean forward to prune a bush or the stretch of your arms reaching up to hang a plant as examples of flexibility. These are disguised flexibility workouts that challenge your joints and tendons, keeping them agile and limber.


Cardio:Finally, consider those days when the garden seems to need a makeover, when you find yourself wandering back and forth, tilling, planting, or perhaps chasing that renegade butterfly out of sheer delight. Those are your cardio moments, when your heart rate rises and your entire cardiovascular system is energised.

The Unexpected Serotonin Release
Even short bursts of gardening activities can boost serotonin levels in your brain, similar to an organised gym session. What's more, the best part? It never feels like a difficult workout. It's pure, unadulterated joy with the added benefit of a mood lift.
I recall speaking with Mr. Patel, one of our valued clients. He frequently cracked jokes about exchanging his gym membership for a set of gardening gloves. His garden, he claimed, served as his personal trainer, therapist, and retreat all in one. He not only sculpted a beautiful lawn but also rediscovered an active, healthier version of himself thanks to our gardening services and his newfound interest. His garden became a symbol of the synergy of physical and mental effort.


The Triumph of Harvest: A Boost to Self-Esteem
When you look at a blossoming flower or harvest a ripe fruit from a tree you've tended, you feel a distinct satisfaction, an unexplainable pride. It's a monument not only to nature's wonders, but also to your perseverance, patience, and love. For homeowners, this is more than just a gardening victory; it is a highly personal achievement that is closely related to one's sense of self-worth.
Understanding the Elation of Accomplishment
The joy we experience when we see the first flower or taste the first fruits of our effort is no accident. Psychologists frequently associate the act of completing activities, particularly those in which we are emotionally committed, with an increase in self-esteem. 
When we see the visible benefits of our efforts, whether at work, in our personal lives, or in our gardens, it sends a reassuring message to our inner selves. "You did that," it says quietly. That was made possible by you."
There is an additional depth of emotion for homeowners in particular. This isn't just any plant; it's your plant, in your environment, observing your everyday activities. It represents dedication, endurance, and love. It's a real, breathing confirmation of your efforts to make your home a vibrant refuge.


Setting Simple Gardening Goals
Setting modest, attainable goals for your gardening pursuits might help to magnify these sensations of accomplishment. Start with tough plants if you're novice to gardening. 
Aim for the first bloom or the development of new leaves. For the more experienced, it could be about cultivating a specific sort of flower or growing a specific food.
Take a moment to really celebrate your accomplishment every time you reach one of these mini-milestones. Take a picture, write in your diary, or simply enjoy a quiet time of thought in your garden.


Celebrate with a ‘Harvest Day’
Every accomplishment deserves to be recognised. Why not designate one day each month as 'Harvest Day'? It can be a personal ritual - an afternoon spent walking around your garden, checking growth, appreciating blossoms, and possibly picking fruit.
This isn't just about reaping what you sow; it's also about pausing to savour the trip. The sunburns, unexpected rain showers, bug battles, and occasional blunders all culminate in this monthly ritual. It's a gentle reminder of your strength, dedication, and the sheer beauty of nature cooperating with your efforts.


Wrap Up!
Gardening is much more than a pastime or a home improvement project. It's a sensory trip, an opportunity to connect profoundly with our surroundings. It's about finding pockets of calm among the commotion and savouring those fleeting moments of sensory pleasure. As a homeowner, embracing gardening's sensory therapy may be the medicine you didn't realise you needed.