4 Ways Gardening Improves Your Mental and Physical Health

Estimated reading time: 2.5 minutes

When you own your own home and property, you make the rules about what you want to do with the space. Outside, growing a garden can help you and your family spend more time in nature. Research has shown that spending time outdoors has positive benefits for our bodies and minds. If you’re on the fence about starting your own garden, here are four unique benefits you don’t want to miss out on.

1. Physical Activity

Functional movements in gardening can mimic whole body exercises and improve your balance, strength, and flexibility. When weeding, you’re often performing lunges and squats. Carrying bags and other supplies can work large muscle groups. Digging, raking, and push mowers can be physically intense.

All forms of exercise can reduce stress, including working outside. It can be gratifying to plant, tend, and harvest food and flowers. Additionally, the routine can provide structure to your day and improve your mental health.

2. Time in Nature

Time spent in nature has proven benefits for physical and mental health. People naturally breathe deeper when outside. The fresh air can clear your lungs, improve digestion and immune response, and increase oxygen levels in your blood. The sun also provides a natural form of vitamin D, which helps decrease anxiety and increase bone health.

3. Creating a Growth Mindset

Gardening helps us accept our limits and things outside of our control. It forces us to bring our best efforts and let go of the rest. Instead of cultivating the perfect plant, a gardener should focus on preparing the best environment possible for their plants.

No matter how carefully you plan your seeds and watering schedule, there are countless factors you can’t predict. Bugs, inclement weather, and garden visitors like rodents and neighborhood fauna can all throw off the best laid plans. If you’re learning from mistakes, the only thing that’s lost is time.

4. Connection to Your World

Gardening is a direct nurturing relationship with the plot of land you’re tending. You’ll develop a deeper understanding of your local ecology and the elements, such as where sunlight moves throughout the day, your area’s amount of rain, and the first and last frosts.

It can also be a great way to build community. Inviting your friends and family into your plot shares the benefits with others, too! Additionally, engaging with local garden clubs and associations can teach you new things about native plants and introduce you to new people.

Cultivating Your Homeownership Success

Much like gardening, homeownership can increase your sense of community, help you let go of aspects outside of your control, and allow you to express yourself in new and creative ways. Ready to learn more how homeownership can benefit you? Contact us today!