These days, it’s pretty much inevitable to avoid stress completely. But there are many ways to manage or reduce feelings of stress and anxiety. Very high levels of stress can be tied to heart disease, asthma, obesity, diabetes, headaches, depression and the list goes on and on. Let’s hop in the driver’s seat and take control!
One of our favorite ways to wind our minds down is through gardening. There are many “mental health benefits of gardening”, so keep reading as we’ll go into further detail below!
Gardening has health benefits similar to cycling, walking or going on a dinner date. It’s a hobby where you can make your own and create your environment freely. You are able to allocate space in your backyard, in a community garden, or you can pick up a few pots from your local goodwill! All parts of gardening can be fun and exciting as you indulge yourself in your new hobby.
While focusing on everything you’ll need to do in order to get started on your new garden, your mind will begin to calm as your concentration has now shifted to the creativity process, redirecting your thoughts from worries to a meditative state. But, it doesn’t stop there! You can enhance this meditative state by listening to the sounds of nature or relaxing music while tending to your garden.
If you’re craving some alone time, there’s absolutely nothing wrong with tending to your garden alone. But if you’re looking for connections, get out there and join a local gardening community! Spending time getting to know someone while gardening can lift your spirits.
Being out in the sun is also beneficial. The sun produces vitamin D, which can strengthen your immune system, your bones and possibly lower blood pressure.
There are so many benefits to creating and tending to a garden. Whether you have experienced gardening previously or not, it’s a fairly simple process to take on this new hobby. It’s fun, rewarding and can reduce stress and feelings of anxiety while potentially meeting new friends!
If you’re still having trouble with your mental health, give us a call at (213) 385-9912 or click here to schedule an appointment, we can figure out other methods that may be able to help.
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