Focus on rebuilding landscapes with salt-tolerant native plants to mitigate future storm risks.
Top Four Ways Gardening Improves Mental Health
Amongst many other treatments, activities, and connections, gardening has been shown (1) to have a number of mental health benefits. Anecdotally, I always find that working with my hands and caring for a living thing to be relaxing and to improve my mood. Four of the top ways that gardening can improve mental well-being are:
- Stress reduction (2): Gardening can be a relaxing and meditative activity that helps to reduce stress and anxiety. The act of tending to plants and watching them grow can provide a sense of accomplishment and purpose, and the physical activity of gardening can also help to release endorphins and reduce tension.
- Social connections: Gardening can be a social activity that allows you to connect with others who share a similar interest. Whether you garden alone, with a group of friends, or in a community garden, the act of working together and sharing the fruits of your labor can foster a sense of community and belonging.
- Creativity: Gardening allows you to express your creativity by designing and cultivating your own outdoor space. From choosing plants and planning layouts to experimenting with different techniques and styles, gardening offers endless opportunities to be creative and try new things!
- Nature connection: Gardening can help you connect with nature and the outdoors, which has been shown(3) to have several mental health benefits. Research has shown that spending time in nature can have cognitive benefits, improve mood, reduce stress and anxiety, and increase feelings of happiness and well-being.
Overall, gardening is a healthy and enjoyable activity that can have a positive impact on your mental health. Whether you have a large backyard or just a small balcony, there are plenty of ways to get started and enjoy the benefits of gardening.
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