5 Therapeutic Benefits of Gardening:
Did you know that, according to a thrive.org study, 80% of people experience improved mental health after engaging in gardening activities?
The therapeutic benefits of gardening are endless, with many keen green-thumbed individuals experiencing reduced anxiety and a surge in happiness and motivation.
Whether you enjoy tending to a few indoor succulents, or you have plans to create your very own at-home nature reserve, there are no limits to the benefits that gardening offers.
So, without further ado, grab yourself a warm beverage and find out all about how gardening can improve your mental and physical health:
Boosts Self Esteem and Provides a Sense of Purpose
Gardening is widely appreciated for its ability to boost self-esteem and offer a sense of purpose, particularly for those who experience loneliness.
The manual process of planting, growing – and in some cases, harvesting – is therapeutic to many, and allows gardeners to experience the amazing feeling of nurturing a living organism.
Watching a plant grow as a result of your dedication is highly rewarding, offering individuals a chance to find purpose at a time that they may be struggling to do so.
Spending time amongst nature and wildlife also offers an invaluable sense of perspective, instilling gratitude and comfort.
Gardening Encourages Physical Activity
In addition to providing a healthy dose of fresh air, gardening also encourages you to engage in physical activity.
For some, the thought of exercise is a little daunting – but gardening offers a great opportunity to get your body moving without thinking too much about it.
If you’re passionate about gardening, you’ll likely be more focused on the task at hand – blissfully unaware of the physical exertion required to shovel soil, plant seeds and water your array of plants.
Gardening also offers a great incentive to exercise, too, since you know that it’s necessary to perform regular maintenance if you are to keep your plants alive.
Reduces Stress and Anxiety
When combined with mindful breathing, gardening can help to instil tranquillity and reduce feelings of stress and anxiety.
Being surrounded by green space, fresh air and an array of colours can work wonders for our mental health, restoring a sense of inner peace and relaxation. Combined with the task of nurturing plants and/or fresh produce, the act of gardening is a great way to keep our cognitive health in check, too.
For many, successful gardening brings joy and accomplishment – and, in turn, positive reinforcement. This stimulates the release of endorphins, our feel-good hormone, which reduces the perception of pain and increases pleasure.
Gardening Provides Socialising Opportunities
If you’re fortunate enough to be a member of a community garden, you’ll likely be spending much of your time around like-minded individuals. This offers an invaluable opportunity to make friends and engage in regular interactions.
Linked closely to increased self-esteem and boosted cognitive function, regular social interactions are incredibly beneficial to mental and emotional health.
Vegetable/Herb Gardening Encourages Healthy Eating
If you enjoy growing your own produce, you’ll likely know how this can positively influence your eating habits.
By enduring the time and effort it takes to grow vegetables and herbs, you’ll likely be anticipating the day that you can finally harvest them, before transforming them into a tasty meal. Many vegetable patch owners enjoy creating seasonal dishes, such as homemade root vegetable soups or casseroles.
At Huntington and Langham Estate, we love exploring the therapeutic benefits of gardening – from watching our produce grow first-hand, to the endless opportunities it provides for spending time amongst our beautiful wildlife.
If you’d like to find out more about the activities we enjoy at the estate, or you’d like to arrange a virtual tour, don’t hesitate to contact a member of our team or take some time to browse the website.