Gardening for Mental Health: How to Improve Your Mood, Reduce Stress and Boost Your Wellbeing
Whether you have a small balcony garden, a postage stamp yard or a sprawling back garden, gardening can be a great way to improve your mental health and wellbeing.
Most of us feel better both mentally and physically after some time outdoors working in the garden. And it’s official – gardening is good for you!
A growing body of research shows the benefits of gardening for mental health. Studies have shown that gardening can help reduce stress, anxiety and depression. It can also improve mood, self-esteem and cognitive function.
How does gardening benefit mental health?
There are a number of reasons why gardening is good for mental health. Here are a few of the ways that gardening can help:
It provides a sense of control. When we garden, we are able to control the environment around us. This can be a great way to feel a sense of accomplishment and control, which can be helpful for people who are feeling stressed or anxious. Just think how brilliant you feel when you see your sunflowers grow!
It connects us with nature. The mental health charity MIND tells us that spending time in nature has been shown to have a number of benefits for mental health, as well as physical health. Studies have shown that being in nature can reduce stress, improve mood, and boost cognitive function. Gardening is a great way to connect with nature and get the benefits of being outdoors.
It is a physical activity. Gardening is a moderate-intensity physical activity that can help improve cardiovascular health and reduce stress. Even light gardening activities such as weeding or watering plants can help to boost your mood and energy levels.
It can be a social activity. Gardening can be a great way to connect with friends, family, and neighbours. Gardening groups and community gardens are a great way to meet new people and make friends, especially if you don’t have a garden at home.
It can be a creative outlet. Gardening can be a great way to express your creativity. You can choose plants that you love, design your garden however you like, and even make your own garden tools and ornaments.
How to get started with gardening for mental health
If you’re interested in trying gardening for your mental health, we’d like to suggest a few things you can do to get started:
Start small. If you’re new to gardening, don’t try to do too much at once. Start with a small garden or a few pots of plants. This will help you grow your confidence and expand over time.
Choose plants that you love. Gardening is more enjoyable when you’re working with plants that you love. For instance, choose plants that you find beautiful in colour and shape, plants that smell good, or plants which produce edible fruits or vegetables you can enjoy. For more on this, see our post: Creating a Sensory Garden: Top Tips for Gardeners in the UK.
Make it a social activity. Gardening can be a great way to connect with friends, family and neighbours. If you have someone to garden with, you’ll be more likely to stick with it. If there’s no one else at home, make it an opportunity to invite someone over.
Don’t be afraid to make mistakes. Everyone makes mistakes when they’re gardening, there’s always an element of trial and error! The important thing is to learn from your mistakes and keep going.
So, hopefully, we’ve shown you that gardening is a great way to improve your mental health and wellbeing. It’s a fun, relaxing, and rewarding activity that can be enjoyed by people of all ages and abilities.
Additional tips for getting started with gardening for mental health:
Find a gardening space that you enjoy. This could be your garden at home (or just a corner of it!) a community garden or green gym, an allotment, or even a balcony.
Set realistic goals. Don’t try to do too much too soon. Start with small tasks, such as weeding or watering plants, and gradually increase the amount of time you spend gardening.
Find a gardening buddy. Gardening with a friend or family member can make it more fun and enjoyable. It will also help to keep the gardening up!
Don’t be afraid to ask for help. If you’re not sure how to get started, there are many resources available to help you. Your local library or garden centre can provide you with information on gardening, and there are also plenty of gardening websites and blogs (including our own here at Genesis Gardens!) that offer tips and advice. If you decide to tackle a bigger project or need help with maintenance, do give our team a call.
Gardening really is a great way to improve your mental health and wellbeing. Get those hands dirty and give it a try today!