When I feel overwhelmed or anxious, my garden is often the first place I want to be. I’ll stick my feet in some boots, make myself a tea and head straight outside, where usually I won’t do anything but wander around and observe what’s going on. Sometimes I’ll pick up a watering can and give my pots a water. At other times I will spend an afternoon working out there. But it makes me feel calmer; and If I set aside a few hours for gardening, I know it will be a good day. In the current times, I am finding my garden even more comforting than usual.
There are obvious reasons as to why being out in the garden makes us feel happier – more exposure to sunshine and vitamin D, fresh air and the sound of birds singing. But even when I am inside tending to houseplants, or outside listening to a podcast while I sow seeds, I notice I'm calm. So clearly chirping birds and rays of the sun don’t count for everything.
After a bit of thought, I realised the calming sensation, at least for me, might come from my active involvement in looking after plants, from handling them, to nurturing them. So, I decided to explore this thought in more detail. Why does caring for plants make me feel calmer?
A sense of control
Perhaps a bit of an understatement at the moment, but I think most of us would acknowledge that we don’t have full control over our lives. So, it's natural that we look to hobbies, activities and behaviours where we feel more powerful. I get this from my garden, where I see myself as a guardian. I acknowledge that I don't have full control, as other forces, such as the weather and wildlife, are also in play. But I know my actions help to keep the garden in check, which in turn makes me feel good about myself.
So if you’re stuck at home with nothing to do, why not pay a bit more attention to your plants, be it inside or out? As long as you know what you are doing and why; which, with the gift of the internet, is information easier than ever to come by, you are more than likely to get positive results, which will appease your sense of control, and make you feel calmer.
It takes me to a safe place
I often notice that when I have negative thoughts swirling through my head, where they might ordinarily lead to worry and anxiety, they don't so much when I am working in the garden. It's as if I am working in a bubble - I know the issues are still on the outside of the bubble, but the volume is turned down while I am gardening, so I am able to keep going and enjoy myself. I suppose another way of looking at it is that the garden is an escape, which also brings so much positivity - inspiration, ideas, acceptance, beauty and sometimes even food.
Gardening is an equaliser
I’ve heard it be said that gardening is a great equaliser, and I couldn’t agree more. I don't need to be part of any specific demographic or personality type to take care of plants and be a good gardener. I just need to be there, paying attention and responding accordingly. And the plants I am caring for will keep doing their thing, no matter if there is war going on, a global pandemic, or whoever is currently running the country. Gardening is so far removed from current issues and I really value that. In fact it has a whole collection of added mental health benefits that aren't so easily found in modern life.
I can go at my own pace - no pressure
I am a natural potterer - I hate being rushed. I enjoy activities where I can go at my own pace, and gardening is definitely one of these activities. It gives me time and space to think, connect and plan. It turns out that gardening is also my therapy. There are all kinds of lessons to be learnt from the garden when you take the time to observe, and I find this very calming.
A human connection to plants feels instinctual
I studied Anthropology at university. It's a subject that has always stayed with me, but funnily enough, I didn't really see the connection to plants when I first started working in the horticulture industry. It was only when I began to explore the mental health benefits to gardening that I saw how they are connected.
Because for thousands of years, plants have been a lifeline to humans, to nomadic hunter-gatherer groups and later farming communities alike. Plants would have represented food, medicine, maybe shelter, and the likely presence of a nearby water source. It makes sense that humans would feel calmer in the presence of plants.
It turns out there is scientific evidence to back up the idea that gardening makes us feel calmer and happier. Studies have shown that certain friendly bacteria commonly found in soil is linked to increases in serotonin in the brain when we come into direct contact with it. So playing in the dirt when you were a kid was probably doing you a world of good, and it turns out gardening can offer the same mental benefits, keeping us happier and calmer.
How does caring for plants make you feel? I'd be really interested to know your thoughts. Feel free to comment below or let me know on Instagram.
I hope you're taking care of yourself and your loved ones. Stay inside, stay safe!
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