This summer, I am celebrating ten years of gardening, so I thought it would be a great time to share some of the benefits I’ve discovered and experienced from this wonderful hobby.
- Stress Relief: Beneficial microbes in organic soil are proven to alleviate stress, anxiety, and depression.
- Mindfulness: The focused, hands-on work of tilling soil and planting seeds or starter plants encourages you to remain fully present in the moment.
- Physical Exercise: Every task, from adding soil and weeding to watering and deadheading, is a form of gentle, full-body exercise.
- Hope & Optimism: Watching a garden grow from seeds to a bountiful harvest evokes a powerful sense of hope, brightening your mood daily.
- Sensory Immersion: Taking in the beauteous colors of the blooms and the delightful scents of the flowers provides a grounding sensory experience.
- Connection to Nature: By providing food, water, space, and shelter, a garden becomes a vibrant habitat for local wildlife, fostering a deep connection to the natural world.
- Enhanced Nutrition: Fresh, nutrient-rich foods from your own harvest provide a delicious and healthy way to enhance your meals.
- Nostalgia & Heritage: Gardening can evoke positive memories of older family members, ancestors, and cultural heritage, connecting you to your roots (pun intended, of course).
- Community & Gratitude: Sharing the harvest with others builds strong connections and instills a sense of gratitude for both nature’s bounty and your relationships.
- Accomplishment & Esteem: The process of nurturing a garden from start to finish leads to a profound sense of satisfaction and personal accomplishment.
The purpose of this simple list is to share my own thoughts, discoveries, and experiences, helping readers connect with gardening. This practice can be overwhelming if other matters are more pressing.
Your own situation and research will help you determine if gardening would be a beneficial and practical hobby for you at this point in your life.
Cover photo by author
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👁 Jennifer DiOrio is a freelance health and medical writer advancing outcomes for women, the LGBTQ+ community, and people in various marginalized groups through empowered partnerships. She is also a trauma survivor. To learn more or to reach out about a writing project, visit Synergy Communications.
