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Introduction
Have you ever thought about the scientific connection between gardening and psychology? If you haven’t, you’re not alone. Getting outside helps us boost our spirits and mental energy and gardening is one great way to do it. Not only are the effects of gardening beneficial for physical health — they can be beneficial for mental health too.
The mental and physical health benefits of gardening become evident when the garden is planted, and harvested as you incorporate the hand-curated healthy foods into your diet. In this article, we talk about the connection between gardening and psychology along with the benefits of outdoor gardening for mental health.
Outdoor Gardening Basics
Getting started with outdoor gardening is easy. The most difficult part of gardening is deciding what you want to grow and where you want to plant it. Most people like to plant their gardens near or even inside of their homes so they can have easy access to water the crops and harvest them when it’s time. There is no need to worry if you’re not already gardening expert, there are many resources available online and via local resources that teach you how to start and manage a garden.
It may seem odd to connect the benefits of gardening with mental health at first glance. But when its’ broken down, what you find is that gardening is one of the best activities that you can participate in for your mental and physical health. When you go outside to garden, you’re immediately exposed to the outdoors and fresh air that can provide a much needed mental boost. Added benefits of outdoor gardening are exposure to sunlight, physical activity, and mental health boosts.
Exposure to sunlight triggers the human body to produce Vitamin D. This is a critical source of energy and happiness for most people. Without adequate vitamin D production people may experience higher levels of melancholy, stress, depression, and other mental health related disorders. While getting too much sun is not recommended getting out in the sun for 15 or 20 minutes at a time to tend your garden may be just the mental health boost you need.
Start An Outdoor Flower or Vegetable Garden
Choose the location of your garden based on the amount of sunlight that the fruits or vegetables need. Not all fruits and vegetables require the same amount of sunlight. Be sure to check with the gardening department where you purchase your seeds and supplies for full details.
For a more even garden, be sure to choose a flat area that isn’t sloping and prone to high traffic.
Choosing the best spot for your garden will preserve the integrity and beauty of your garden.
Prepare your soil. Depending on where you live in the United States, you may need to add organic matter to your garden to improve the quality of the soil. Most gardening centers and home improvement stores have a gardening section and an onsite gardening professional that can talk you through the steps you need to build a fruitful garden.
Author bio:
Marie Miguel has been a writing and research expert for nearly a decade, covering a variety of health- related topics. Currently, she is contributing to the expansion and growth of a free online mental health resource with BetterHelp.com. With an interest and dedication to addressing stigmas associated with mental health, she continues to specifically target subjects related to anxiety and depression.
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