There is something to be said about the bliss one finds when working with their hands
and becoming “one with Earth,” while moving your hands within the soil and accumulating dirt beneath your fingernails. A sense of accomplishment and presence within the moment are key benefits that result from integrating gardening into your daily practice. The act of gardening itself is something that is brilliant in the simplest of ways - digging a plot of land then nurturing the soil to provide a sound home for a seedling to prosper and grow as a result of nature hydrating the soon-to-be flourishing plant. Tending to and caring for a garden is one of the simplest forms of self-care one can practice. By caring for a plant, in turn, you are caring for yourself.
All in all, here are 10 psychological benefits that result from implementing gardening into your life as a daily practice:
1. Increase in Vitamin D ~~ “The Happy Vitamin”
Gardening outside allows you to be out and active in the sun. This is an excellent way to get your vitamin D, the happy vitamin. But don’t forget to wear sunscreen! It’s important to protect your skin.
2. Connecting with the earth
Spending time with plants all around you allows you to spend more time and connect with nature. Studies show that when we take the time to be present in our natural environment, it will calm our nervous systems.
3. Natural aromatherapy
Essential oils play an important role in our lives, not only in our homes but also outside in our garden. Natural aromatherapy advantages of essential oils promote physical and emotional well-being.
4. Reduces stress
Surprisingly, spending time in your garden may be an excellent method to relieve stress. You can reduce negative thoughts and feelings by focusing on garden tasks and details. In addition, it will help you feel more calm and pleased.
5. Reduces the risk of dementia
Gardening protects your memory because the exercise will stimulate and improve brain function by increasing your serotonin level. A study shows that gardening helps decrease the risk of dementia by 36 per cent.
6. Lowers blood pressure
Only 30 minutes of some daily activity such as walking would lower blood pressure. In fact, the National Heart, Lung and Blood institution suggests gardening or raking leaves for 45 mins would meet that recommendation.
7. Feeling of accomplishment
Gardening may increase your self-esteem. Growing a plant from out of the soil is no easy feat and keeping one alive can be just as difficult. Bringing a seed to life is a major accomplishment that may help you see strengths you didn’t know you had.
8. Eat healthier
Gardening might help you eat healthier because you are able to grow different types of vegetables and fruits. In addition, 100% of them will be organic, which include a higher content of minerals and vitamins.
9. Enjoyable aerobic exercises
Gardening is an excellent kind of aerobic exercise, and you may become so engaged in your job that you don't even know you’re working up a sweat.
10. Getting used to bacteria
Indeed the dirt beneath your fingernails may help you! Mycobacterium Vaccee, a soil bacteria, has been shown to alleviate symptoms of allergies, asthma, and psoriasis.
These are some of the key benefits an individual can experience if they take the time out of their day to start gardening, but you may experience others. Gardening can be difficult at first, but don’t give up. Give it a try and see how it may improve your daily life.