To say we live in a stressful world, would be an understatement. There are so many things outside our control where it is easy to feel helpless but can have a huge impact on your life. If it feels like the world is moving much faster than you would like and the constant demands of everyday life are weighing upon you and increasing your stress level, then it is time to find a peaceful outlet where you can decompress and recharge. That outlet means different things depending on the person. However, many people help reduce stress by gardening.
Benefits of Gardening
If you have never seriously considered gardening, you may want to give it a try. From the moment your hands hit the soil, you start to connect with the ground and feel more at one with the life around you. This is not about new-age philosophies, but rather a concept of cultivating the Earth to provide nourishment and beauty to those around it. It’s a simple but powerful idea that has become a little murky with the advent of technology and cities.
Cell phones, tablets, laptops: they’re all calling our name with new and better apps and features. These types of distractions can sometimes be taken too far, and we can spend hours of time on them before we know it. Gardening gives you a way to lower your stress hormones by being outside, feeling the wind through your hair as you create something you can call your own. There is every reason to use gardening as an antidote for your busy lifestyle. No one can take away the sense of accomplishment you are sure to have when you see your first daffodil or rose sprouting up for the ground or taste your first home-grown vegetable.
Gardening Options – Help Reduce Stress by Gardening
Of course, there are always practical concerns associated with gardening, such as a place where you can dig your hands into the dirt. No, you don’t need a back yard for gardening. While it certainly helps, you can start with indoor plants. Yeah, they can be messy, but they can also add to the overall ambiance of your indoor surroundings.
You can get hanging plants, potted floor plants, dwarf trees, herbs, etc. Place them in your kitchen. Hang them near windows. For those that hardier indoors, place them in areas that will enhance your décor. However, caring for these plants and watching them flourish is extremely rewarding.
If you have a porch or patio, you can also buy or build raised garden beds. These are extremely effective for gardening in confined areas, especially if you live in a city where space is at a premium. Not only do raised garden beds allow you to take your gardening outdoors, it provides a great environment for you to unwind and get out of the indoor living space.
Another option if you live in a city, perhaps in an apartment building or another area without a yard, are community gardens. Try getting involved with community gardens which are sprouting up all over the country. Check to see if there is one in your area and what the requirements are to participate.
You don’t have to have a green thumb to get what you need out of gardening. If your flowers don’t look the way you want them too or burst forth with the color the picture showed on the seed package, don’t worry about it. You got out there and tried something, you watered your plants and felt the sun on your face. When you stick with a project, you learn something about what works for you. Hopefully, this hobby is something you want to pursue and get better at, but it may not be something you absolutely love right away.