How gardening can improve your wellbeing

Looking after our physical and mental wellbeing is hugely important. It allows us to improve our overall health and give us more clarity in our day-to-day. There are many different ways we can reap these benefits, whether through exercise or other hobbies and activities.

Being outdoors has long been associated with good mental health and often prompts us to engage in exercise, whether light or more intensive. For this reason, many people in the UK are embracing gardening, whether at home or in a patch at their local allotment. 

If you’re deciding whether to start your gardening journey, this information should help you make up your mind. 

Boosting your mood

Research from the Royal Horticultural Society shows that regular gardening can significantly improve well-being – it can physically make us feel better.

The act of concentration and having something to care for can help individuals feel fulfilled. Meanwhile, checking in on the progress of your plants can be hugely satisfying. It can even induce endorphins, which can reduce feelings of anxiety and depression. 

Mindfulness

Gardening can help people practice mindfulness, whether they’re aware of this or not. The quietness of gardening resembles the type of environment people meditate in, helping to create a sense of tranquillity and being in the present moment. 

Growing plants and crops requires you to be attentive while creating a sense of purpose. It’s a great distraction from stress you might encounter in your day-to-day. The act of ‘forest bathing’ prompts people to immerse themselves in nature to improve mental clarity and reduce symptoms of poor mental health, making it an invaluable practice.  

Creating a relaxing space 

Gardening extends beyond the growing and nurturing of crops – it can also help you take pride in your outdoor space.

Create a calming environment by investing in outdoor garden lights to create a gentle glow. Having soft, subtle lighting as a backdrop can help you feel calmer. It can also prolong gardening time when the mornings and evenings are darker. Some people may enjoy being able to garden as a wind-down activity before bed. Others might go as far as saying that gardening helps them sleep at night. Either way, the absence of blue light from screens can help you wind down effectively before bed. 

Connecting with others

Social interaction plays a huge role in our overall wellbeing and starting a new hobby helps to open up pathways into new social avenues. It helps you to meet like-minded people who enjoy the same things as you. ‘Green social prescribing’ is an initiative that encourages people to engage in nature-based interventions to improve their mental and physical health. As a result, communities can form.

Whether you engage with other people on the allotment or with colleagues who also have an interest in gardening, the impact this can have should not be underestimated. Look out for opportunities to help out with gardening opportunities or clubs in your local area. This can help you engage with other gardeners and also give you a sense of fulfilment. The accessibility of gardening means you can meet a diverse set of people of varying ages.