Benefits of Gardening

There are many lessons and benefits related to time spent gardening. This includes first and foremost the way that we can watch seasons change and learn to reflect on the resiliency of nature, as well as growth after loss. Spending time in the garden helps us create a sense of purpose knowing that we are contributing to creating a safe environment for plants to grow and then being rewarded by an edible or aesthetic benefit they offer. This gives us tangible examples of the reciprocity of relationships. We can also learn to move beyond our perfectionism. There are so many things in nature that are out of our control from weather events to critters. Not every plant we try to grow will flourish, but we can learn lessons each time we try. Just the act of working on the garden enhances our mindfulness and our patience. It’s not just me saying this - there have been many studies that show how gardening can reduce the cortisol levels in our bodies (cortisol is the stress hormone).

Many of us do not have access to a place to garden, but we may have access to community gardens or we can look into houseplants or growing something else inside. It can be easy to feel disheartened by plant deaths, but that doesn’t mean you have a black thumb. There is so much information on the internet and through communities to learn how to better support plants and where to start with easy to care for plants, if you feel so inclined.

If you want to learn more about the benefits of gardening, check out the blog - 10 Mental Health Benefits of Gardening by Seth J. Gillihan Ph.D or the book The Well-Gardened Mind: The Restorative Power of Nature by Sue Stewart-Smith. Additionally, here is a resource for locating a community garden near you!

As always, take what is helpful and leave the rest. I hope you have the week you need.