Gardening Proved a Valuable Aid in Alleviating Lockdown Melancholy and COVID-19 Worries
In the heart of urban living, gardening is no longer a luxury confined to sprawling estates. With a touch of creativity and the right choices, even apartment dwellers can transform their living spaces into a haven of greenery.
Gardening, a beloved hobby, offers a multitude of mental health and wellness benefits. The act of nurturing a garden, as quoted by Alfred Austin, feeds not just the body but the soul.
One of the key advantages of gardening is its stress-reducing properties. By lowering cortisol levels, a stress hormone, and reducing heart rate, gardening shifts the body from chronic stress to relaxation.
Moreover, exposure to sunlight while gardening boosts vitamin D, a crucial regulator of mood, and triggers serotonin release, improving feelings of happiness.
Physical activity is another significant benefit. The repetitive motions of digging, planting, and watering enhance blood circulation, endorphin production, muscle relaxation, and overall physical health, supporting mental clarity and emotional stability.
Sensory engagement is another aspect that makes gardening therapeutic. The smells, textures, and colours in gardening help regulate emotions, providing grounding sensory input useful for managing anxiety, depression, or PTSD.
Social connection and emotional growth are also fostered through community or shared gardens, reducing isolation and strengthening emotional resilience.
Gardening can also provide a source of healthy, nutrient-rich food. Growing culinary and medicinal herbs, such as dhaniya seeds, chilies, and micro-greens, can lead to consuming a lot of nutrient-dense food.
For beginners, starting with easy-to-grow seeds and indoor plants is recommended. As confidence grows, so does the garden, with a variety of plants that can be nurtured and enjoyed.
In times of lockdown or limited outdoor activities, growing one's own food through gardening can be a lifeline. It's a way to maintain sanity and stay productive, making weekends a time to clean, water, and maintain the garden, managing boredom effectively.
Gardening is more than just a hobby; it's a holistic, accessible tool that nurtures both mental and physical well-being through its combination of nature contact, physical activity, sensory stimulation, and emotional engagement. It's a way to connect with nature, boost happiness, and improve overall quality of life.
- Apartment dwellers can convert their living spaces into a garden, turning their balcony, terrace, or even indoor area into a haven of greenery.
- Whether it's outdoor or indoor gardening, plants in a nursery or succulents, gardening offers numerous mental health and wellness benefits.
- The act of nurturing plants is not just beneficial for the body but also feeds the soul, a quote echoed by Alfred Austin.
- Gardening lowers cortisol levels, a stress hormone, and reduces heart rate, promoting relaxation.
- Exposure to sunlight while gardening boosts vitamin D, a crucial regulator of mood, and triggers serotonin release, improving feelings of happiness.
- For beginners, starting with easy-to-grow seeds or indoor plants is a good start, before moving on to a variety of plants outdoors.
- Besides nourishing the body, gardening also provides a source of healthy, nutrient-rich food, such as dhaniya seeds, chilies, and micro-greens.
- During times of lockdown or limited outdoor activities, gardening can be a lifeline, helping to manage stress, stay productive, and maintain a sense of normalcy within the home-and-garden lifestyle.
