Gardening is a Hobby with Benefits
If you love the outdoors, enjoy being in your yard, and don’t mind getting a little dirty, you might wish to consider taking up gardening. The benefits of digging in the dirty are many. It gives people a chance to slow down, tune out their busy minds, and enjoy nature. Research has shown that spending time outside can help restore your attention, relax your body, and revive your mood. For so many reasons, gardening is an excellent way for you to relax and unwind.
Make it Your Own
Although gardening isn’t for everyone, many people would like to grow a home garden in their yard. To truly appreciate and enjoy the effort, approach it as a hobby, not a chore. While some people prefer to grow flowers, others want fruits from their labor and therefore opt for edibles such as vegetables and herbs. No matter your preferences, plant something you’ll enjoy tending to. Therefore, it’s also important to consider the size of the garden and maintenance requirements in light of your time constraints and physical ability. Twenty rows of vegetables when all you really wanted were a few tomato plants will end up causing more stress rather than reducing it.
Tapping into your creativity has been shown to reduce stress, so plan your garden in a way that lets your creative side shine. While some people prefer a garden with pristine lines and symmetry, others opt for a more wild and natural look. Pick what is most soothing and appropriate to your tastes. Select water features, artwork, wind chimes, a bench, and other adornments that reflect your personal style.
Practice Mindfulness in Your Garden
To make the most of gardening’s stress-fighting powers, be mindful of the moment. When tending to your home garden, leave your phone and other distractions out of reach so you’re more likely to feel present and uninhibited in the garden. Think of the way you might do yoga or meditate; your garden likewise a chance for you to reconnect with nature, your thoughts, your own being.
Notice how all of your senses interact when you’re in the garden. While the rustling of the leaves, the hum of insects, and trickling of a water feature play to your ears, the vibrant colors of plants and vegetables are a delight to your eyes. Flowers, herbs, fruits, and vegetables provide unique smells to enjoy and delectable tastes for your mouth to savor. From the soft leaves of a lamb’s ear plant to the cool dampness of the soil, a garden can offer a wide range of textures that are pleasing to the touch. Practicing mindfulness outdoors allows you to become fully absorbed in a full sensory experience.
While you’re weeding, digging, raking, and performing other gardening activities, practice your breathing with the cadence of a light workout. Pair these repetitive movements with a mantra or a favorite breathing exercise.
Friends in the Garden
Although many people enjoy the peace and quiet gardening offers, some people thrive on being around others. Gardening is a way to connect with neighbors and friends. The social aspects of entertaining guests, sitting outside with a friend, or even participating in a gardening club or community garden can improve wellbeing and personal outlook. Invite neighbors over to sit and enjoy your outdoor space with you.
Don’t forget about connecting with wildlife while you’re outside. Certain plants and flowers are known for attracting specific birds, insects, and other wildlife to home gardens. According to Psychology Today, “their presence adds another dimension to help captivate your attention and enrich your experience.”
Gardening offers many great benefits, many of which are effective stress relievers. And when you’re finished with a day’s work in the garden, you feel a sense of accomplishment. Satisfaction comes too when the flowers you planted start to blossom or the carrots’ sprouts begin to appear, promising a season of tasty home grown vegetables. A garden can add beauty to your yard and put food on your table, all while keeping you happy and healthy.
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