Guest Writer: Andrea Poteet-Bell, Sunshine Behavioral Health

We should all take our mental health seriously. But many people today struggle with a variety of mental health challenges including excessive stress, depression, and anxiety. Due to the impact that mental health can have on your life, finding ways to manage and improve it is paramount. One strategy is to participate in healthy activities, such as gardening, that allow you to focus your energy on something positive. Gardening is a great way for adults, children, and people of all ages to manage their mental health.

Focus on Tasks at Hand

One of the ways that gardening can help with your mental health is by allowing you to focus on the task at hand instead of dwelling on the past and worrying about the future. Finding a way to concentrate on something will take your mind off worries and other negative thoughts.

Good Exercise

If you want to improve your mental health, you should consider getting regular exercise. While it can feel difficult to get started, exercising is a great way to boost your mood and beat stress. Gardening is a great form of exercise because it requires a lot of moving, digging, and sometimes hauling bags of soil. This can help you burn calories and improve your mood. And because modifications like sitting on a pillow or using a wheelbarrow to move heavy objects are available, it’s a great option for people with limited mobility.

Socialization

Gardening is also a great way to spend time outdoors with your family and bond over a shared interest. When you truly enjoy an activity, you’re excited to share it with others. And spending quality time with friends and family is a great way to reduce stress. It’s almost impossible to feel stressed when you’re laughing with loved ones.  

Satisfaction of Job Well Done

Gardening also lets you enjoy the satisfaction of a job well done. One way to instantly feel better is to achieve something. And gardening lets you see the results of your work literally grow before your eyes. Seeing the plants you cared for develop throughout the season will help you feel a sense of accomplishment that can improve your self-esteem and quell feelings of hopelessness. 

Anyone that is struggling with mental health issues should consider taking up new hobbies and exercise programs to help. Gardening is one great option. No matter what activity you choose, focusing on something you enjoy that lets you see the results of your work can help you work through life’s problems and feel better. 

Sources

 Agrilifetoday.tamu.edu - Gardening can influence and benefit your mental health

Ncbi.nlm.nih.gov - Gardening for health: a regular dose of gardening

Andrea Poteet-Bell is a journalist and editor. Her writing has appeared in local daily newspapers, alternative weeklies, and websites across the country. She graduated from the University of Michigan-Dearborn with a degree in print journalism and lives in Michigan with her husband and their dog, Charlie Brown.