Gardening and your mental health

**Russ** · 03-08-2010, 12:08 PM

Received this in an email and thought I would just pass it along.

GARDENING AND YOUR MENTAL HEALTH

Kathy Grey, LMSW

Are you feeling stressed - need an outlet? Get outside and get your hands dirty!

It doesn’t matter if you have a small patio or a lot of space. The truth is gardening is a definite stress reliever. And, it’s a calorie burner! Being in the fresh air and sunshine, getting in touch with Mother Nature, and the rewards you receive from creating beauty all contribute to building a healthier you, mentally and physically.

Gardening involves stretching, bending, lifting, weight resistance and concentration. The physical activities of gardening will burn calories at the same rate as walking, golf and general exercise. We all know that exercise reduces stress, anxiety and depression. It also reduces feelings of anger. Being in the sunshine and focusing on beauty will change your whole mood. For individuals with difficulty concentrating, gardening is beneficial. It forces you to concentrate.

There are effects of gardening many never thought of. This morning when I got up and looked in my garden, my orange lilies were in full bloom and I felt refreshed mentally. Color has an impact on us. Always add a lot of different colors because each color affects us in its own unique way. Pink makes us feel younger and happier. Of course yellow is cheery and green is soothing. White is stable and purple is relaxing. The strongest color in a garden is red. If you are feeling lethargic, then add a little red to your flower-bed.

The garden is one place you can literally bury your worries. Put aside all your stress and be alert without tension. And, the demands of gardening can lift you spiritually. This is an intimate connection like none other. You will get to know your garden. You can trust that it will always be there for you when you need it. And, it certainly needs you. Gardening can give you not only great pleasure but also pure creative energy.

“Our bodies are our gardens, to which our wills are gardeners.” – William Shakespeare

“Often the hands will solve a mystery that the intellect has struggled with in vain.” – Carl G. Jung

**pinetree** · 03-08-2010, 01:01 PM

Thanks for the post, I passed it along.

**stinkbug** · 03-08-2010, 01:22 PM

I agree with this 100%. I worked outside all weekend and feel wonderful!

**Russ** · 03-08-2010, 01:31 PM

Originally Posted by stinkbug

I agree with this 100%. I worked outside all weekend and feel wonderful!

Especially after a long winter.

**Vanilla** · 03-08-2010, 02:04 PM

That's so true.
My DH always does yard work (mowing lawn, trimming branches, etc.). But there is something different between gardening & yard work.
For the last 3 weeks, DH was working on building 2 vegetable planters (total of 70 sq ft planting area), hauling bricks, dirt, compost, etc. When the planters were ready & we planted young plants & put seeds in the dirt, he then made a comment:That's so relaxing, I was concentrating on setting them up that I didn't have time to think about work or worriesome things. I really enjoyed veg gardening.

**Greebo** · 03-08-2010, 04:14 PM

I find gardening does wonders for my mental health. I always feel so much better after I stop it.

**frugalfranny** · 03-08-2010, 04:18 PM

I agree and really liked this paragraph........

The garden is one place you can literally bury your worries. Put aside all your stress and be alert without tension. And, the demands of gardening can lift you spiritually. This is an intimate connection like none other. You will get to know your garden. You can trust that it will always be there for you when you need it. And, it certainly needs you. Gardening can give you not only great pleasure but also pure creative energy.

The other thing I always do is try to bring some flowers inside all summer long, to enjoy and have on my table. Even one little flower - just seems to cheer up the house.

**Russ** · 03-08-2010, 04:55 PM

Originally Posted by Greebo

I find gardening does wonders for my mental health. I always feel so much better after I stop it.

Better be careful, Ceashels might plant some Greebo. :point:

**miss_thrifty** · 03-09-2010, 09:00 AM

thanks Russ. I totally agree. i miss my flower and veggie gardens when we owned our own house. I use to plant-cucumbers, beets, string beans, pumpkins, zuccinni, corn 1 year, tomatoes, and blue potatoe's.
It was alot of work but well worth it for the fall and all we had to put up and trade with other gardners.
This year Ill just do my flowers in pots and maybe tomatoes and string beans (climbers).

**Greebo** · 03-09-2010, 09:17 AM

Originally Posted by Russ

Better be careful, Ceashels might plant some Greebo. :point:

Wow, that sounds dirty.

I LIKE it!

**Russ** · 03-09-2010, 09:36 AM

Originally Posted by Greebo

Wow, that sounds dirty.

I LIKE it!

Get your mind out of the gutter.

**MomToTwoBoys** · 03-17-2010, 10:40 PM

I completely agree that gardening is a huge stress reliever! I look forward to being out in the dirt all day. I just wish I had more land to do an actual garden in.

I have roses to plant in the front and raspberry bushes in the side, but where do I go from there? I could buy planters but even then, I'd still run out of dirt to play in.

I get the most satisfaction and the happiest feelings when something turns out right that I didn't think would. The tomato plants from last year were a big example.

**Jilly** · 03-17-2010, 11:23 PM

I love gardening! I wish I had more of a green thumb however. Being a city girl, I've had to teach myself what little I know when it comes to yard work and planting. I'd say I've done a good job but I sure do like reading tips like this or finding cool gardening websites for novices like me. I also have lots of outdoor planters but my plants never seem to last very long.

**Russ** · 03-18-2010, 07:02 AM

MTTB, hard to do much if you plan on selling. You could do raised beds. Or, do more container gardening. What is the problem, not enough yard?

Jilly, I see you are in Atlanta and I'm guessing that your pots need more nutrients. The thing about using pots is a lot of times you will wash the nutrients away as you water and being as hot as it gets there, you likely have to water a lot. Tell me about the soil in the pots. Is it something like the Miracle Grow potting soil?
One of the keys to successful container gardening, or any gardening for that matter, is good quality soil. But, I always refresh our pots by removing at least the top 1/3 and putting new soil in.
Also, make sure your pots are large enough for the plant you are trying to grow.