How gardening can improve your mental health

At Henchman, we believe there's nothing better than spending time in the garden, pruning plants, tackling some green DIY projects and enjoying the fresh air. And let's face it - we have plenty of time on our hands these days!

However, gardening is much more than just a pleasant pastime. In addition to keeping you active, gardening has also been shown to have positive effects on mental health.

Research has shown that more and more people are facing mental health problems, and gardening in particular has been proven to improve “self-growth,” self-confidence, communication and concentration.

Therefore, we have set out to analyze this topic in more detail by highlighting some of the key mental health benefits of gardening and how it can help you stay grounded and happier during difficult times.

Regular gardening promotes awareness

Mindfulness has long been proven to contribute to maintaining good mental health. Awareness and mindfulness have become even more important in dealing with the challenges of today.

How does gardening promote mindfulness?

Mindfulness is achieved when one is gently focused on a not too demanding activity. Things like drawing, meditating, and exercising are common ways to achieve this.

However, gardening activities such as pruning shrubs, watering seedlings, and tending plants are all activities that require this gentle form of concentration – making gardening a great way to achieve peaceful mindfulness as well.

Gardening can also induce a kind of meditative trance—a “moving meditation,” you might say. This happens because it provides the perfect balance of quiet activity that helps you stay in the moment without experiencing too much stress or overfocus.

And the benefits are truly tremendous. When you practice mindfulness regularly, you're less likely to feel overwhelmed, stressed, or ruminating over stressful things in your life.

Gardening helps strengthen bonds with your loved ones

Strong and healthy relationships are crucial for good mental health. And, while gardening alone has many health benefits, research also shows that spending time in the garden with a loved one can strengthen the relationship. This can happen in a number of ways.;

Gardening promotes screen-free connection

First, gardening allows for quality time with loved ones, without screens or technology. Screen-free time encourages real conversation and connection (both of which have been proven) to support your mental health.

As screens become more ubiquitous, many of us suffer from screen fatigue, and the time we spend together becomes less meaningful and connects us less and less. By taking time to connect with loved ones outdoors without the presence of Netflix, you can combat feelings of overload while still creating a meaningful connection with the people in your life.

Gardening allows you to create something special with your loved ones

Secondly, gardening can be a shared activity with your loved ones as you create something beautiful together.

Any kind of creative activity, such as drawing or writing poetry, has been shown to increase self-esteem and confidence. Gardening is also creative, and creating a beautiful display of flowers, planting a vegetable patch or trimming a hedge with a loved one can provide a shared sense of satisfaction that strengthens both your relationship and your confidence.

This means that spending time together in the garden not only helps create a beautiful outdoor space, but also creates a shared sense of achievement that enriches your connection with one another and improves your mental health.

Gardening helps you connect with nature

Several studies show that spending time in nature improves mental health. But that doesn't mean you have to go hiking or camping to be in touch with nature.

Simply spending time in the garden is a perfect way to be in touch with nature on a regular basis. By being outside and interacting with the soil and plants, you create a physical connection to the earth that is enough to reap the healing benefits of nature.

The connection between time in nature and mental health

So what are the healing benefits of nature? 

• Feelings of calm and silence are evoked
• Feelings such as anger, fear and worry are reduced
• Reducing physical and emotional signs of stress

In fact, even just looking at nature images can help you gain some of these benefits! But nothing beats the physical connection with the soil, the fresh air, and the sounds and smells of nature - so get out there in the garden!

In addition, spending time in nature can also contribute to your physical well-being. Spending time in the garden can reduce your blood pressure, heart rate and muscle tension, as well as prevent the production of the stress hormone cortisol.

Gardening promotes a healthy diet

For many gardeners, growing fruits and vegetables is the most satisfying part of the gardening experience. After all, there's nothing better than food you've grown yourself!

And there's a reason for that. Eating from the garden really helps you connect with the food you eat, making you appreciate each meal more than those from the supermarket. These feelings of satisfaction, appreciation and pride all contribute to higher self-esteem and confidence, which promotes long-term mental health.

Aside from that, eating from the garden also helps promote healthy eating, which has been shown to be important for good mental health as well. Numerous studies over the years have shown that a healthy diet can be an effective treatment for mental health conditions such as depression and anxiety, especially a diet rich in fruits and vegetables.

Gardening with Henchman

So it's worth it! While there are already so many reasons to get out into the garden, it's also a simple and enjoyable way to maintain and improve your mental health. And don't just take our word for it, because this article from the RHS also highlights that gardening is scientifically good for your overall wellbeing.

At Henchman, gardening is a way of life, which is why over the years we have developed specialised products that make gardeners feel safe and happy while they spend their precious time in the garden. Visit our online store and discover our collection of garden ladders and accessories.