Spending time outdoors in the fresh air is a great way to boost your mood and improve emotional wellbeing. As a result, mental health experts recommend gardening as a way to lift the symptoms of depression. As well as providing exercise and sensible exposure to the sun (to trigger vitamin D production which has an effect on mood) gardening also brings a great sense of achievement. Whether you’ve transformed a messy patch into something beautiful, or grown a plant from seed, you have made a positive difference. If you’re new to gardening, the opportunity to learn new skills also boosts mental wellbeing and gives you a sense of purpose.
Gardening involves creating a routine which is helpful for anyone with depression. It provides a reason to get up and out of the house – even on days when you’d rather just shut yourself away from the world. You can, of course, work alone in your own garden but it’s also a good way to meet others when working on an allotment, helping with local community projects and taking part in flower shows or best vegetable competitions. Even if you are shy, the fact that you share a common interest makes it easier to strike up conversation with other gardeners. Gardening is also a great equaliser – when you are dressed in muddy wellies and old gardening clothes, no-one knows (or cares) how clever, wealthy, or fashionable you are.
Even if you don’t suffer from depression, gardening is a great stress reliever for everyday tensions. What could be better than physical exercise in the fresh air after a hard day at the office? Many studies show that simply being in a natural environment has enormous benefits on emotional wellbeing. You only have to think about going on a country walk or enjoying a day by the sea to know this is true!
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