Gardening and its restorative qualities

Living in a well-developed city may be doing you more harm than good. In a 2019 study, researchers in Sweden found that no matter the age of a person, exposure to urban environments did not induce a reduction in stress responses as significantly as natural, tree-filled surroundings, regardless of whether a person was already accustomed to life in the city.

Therefore, what better way to introduce some greenery into your life than spending some time each day tending to plants? Contrary to popular belief, more people are getting into gardening at a younger age. Here are some reasons why that may be the case.

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1. It improves your physical health

If you haven’t been exercising lately, gardening could be an effective way of making up for lost time, depending on the size of the land you are working on. A study states that the number of calories burned during a physically intense gardening session can rival the amount lost at a gym. Less strenuous activities like weeding can still burn up to 400 calories per hour. As you go through the motions of digging, replanting, and weeding, you can build up your stamina and motor coordination skills while reducing your risk of heart disease. Being out in the sun, too, allows you to get your daily dose of Vitamin D for strengthening your immune system, which is something you might want to prioritise in the midst of the current pandemic.

2. It sustains your mental wellbeing

Work can place a strain on your mental health. However, gardening can potentially stave off anxious or depressive symptoms due to the presence of Mycobacterium vaccae, a type of bacteria present in soil that acts in a surprisingly similar way to antidepressants after you have been exposed to it. Other than that, being immersed in nature helps to stabilise emotions and discourage rumination. A Psychology Today article also mentions that the process of trimming away invasive species can also be a healthy outlet for you to vent your frustrations. Additionally, if you have been experiencing lapses in concentration during the day, frequent exposure to green spaces has been proven to be able to help you focus better.

3. It encourages calmness

It is often difficult to detach ourselves from our responsibilities after a long day of studies. The act of gardening, however, can serve as a brief respite from the complications of the day and allow you to recollect your thoughts. Siti Saleha, an avid gardener, says that taking care of her plants, speaking to them, and watching the progress of their growth for 15 to 20 minutes each day instantly diverts her attention and clears her mind of her worries. Certain plants like aloe vera and snake plants have also been found to have air purifying qualities, which is especially useful if you need to constantly engage in deep breathing exercises for relaxation.

4. It promotes a sense of community

Should you lack space in your home for a land-based garden, a search around your neighbourhood will most likely yield a thriving community garden or two. By volunteering at these places, you can work collectively with others and perhaps, as some people have reported, feel a greater sense of belonging to your community and deeper compassion for others. Moreover, gardening groups on social media sites like Facebook also exist where you can seek plant growing advice from a massive pool of friendly members who will be more than willing to help you out.

To conclude, start surveying your surroundings and consider how you can provide yourself with gardening opportunities, even if that means only getting a couple of potted plants to take care of at first. You just might feel a positive difference by having these plants around.

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