Being outside, interacting with nature, and actively gardening are beneficial for both emotional and physical health. Simply being in nature can enliven your well-being, and is a welcome break from a sedentary workplace with harsh, artificial lighting.
These are six health benefits to help motivate you to get outside, get your hands dirty, and enjoy your garden:
Your garden can help reduce toxins in the air because plants take in CO2 and release oxygen. Additionally, the study suggests that some plants can reduce nitrous dioxide as much as 40 percent. The oxygen released is also beneficial and helps people who struggle with asthma and other breathing problems.
Public and community gardens have been shown to have numerous benefits for communities. They give people a safe place to go and something constructive to work on. Additionally, they can provide fresh produce nurtured from your own hands. Psychologically, even having a photo of landscapes around can relax people. Imagine what creating your beautiful garden can do for you and those who live around you?
Many jobs these days don’t require a lot of movement. If you spend a little time after work every day tending to your gardens, you’ll find that you’re stretching, bending, lifting and moving around. This movement is lower impact than going to the gym, but a half hour of gardening can still give you a good workout.
Not only does tending to your garden help fight the adverse effects of a sedentary lifestyle, it can be very Zen. We live in a very goal-oriented society, constantly checking off to-do lists and pushing relentlessly towards the next goal. Without a counterbalance, this approach can lead to stress.
Instead of turning your garden into a checklist, you can make it into a Zen-filled activity by calmly moving through the garden and doing the next thing that you see. Simply observe, be aware in the moment, and respond to what you see. Maybe you’ll be deadheading your flowers one at a time, then another time caring for each plant. The unique beauty of your garden will help you unplug and release you from the need to be constantly on the go. If you’re interested in learning more about Zen Gardening, check out this book by Sunniva Harte.
Being outside and tending to your flowers, plants, and soil can improve your mood. Moving through the garden and touching the natural beauty of the world can help remind you of the good things in life. If you’re stressed, sad, angry, or tired, this can be a very grounding activity to relax you at the end of a long day.
Gardening can also help you concentrate. Instead of the constant interruptions of life and the numerous demands that inundate you throughout the day, when you garden you can shut off your phone and focus on just one task at a time. Maybe today you’ll prune your bushes or pick some berries and vegetables. Just taking time to slow down and attend to one task will be calming and engaging for your ability to focus.
These are just a few of the benefits of being outside and spending time tending to your garden. You will find these activities to be both enjoyable and deeply rewarding. If you want help creating a garden that’s great for your yard and your health, give us a call and we’ll help design the perfect landscape for all your needs.
To learn more about how a calm, relaxing backyard can be beneficial to your health, download our free ebook, 13 Insider Tips to Creating a Beautiful Contemplation Garden.
Moodscapes LLC is an organic landscape design and service company with a focus on helping you extend your life outdoors to enjoy activities on your own, as a family and with friends. We create opportunities for you to commune with and find joy and peace in nature and to live in an ecologically friendly and healthy environment. Please explore our landscape services and the portfolio that demonstrates many examples of our work.