Gardens can be brilliant spaces to spend time, relax and focus on your wellness routine. The little patch of outdoors that belongs to you can be host to beautiful flowers, soothing water features and just a general environment to read and spend time. If you have a garden that could do with some TLC but are lacking some motivation to improve it, then you may find some compelling persuasion.
Stress reducer
The stress hormone cortisol can wreak absolute havoc on our bodies, and as luck would have it, gardeners appear to have far less of it. Digging, arranging and planning certainly takes the mind off tedious day-to-day tasks. It’s also a small-scale workout on the body; you’re far better off engaging your mind and body rather than slumping in front of the television for the rest of the afternoon. Less of this stress hormone means better sleep and a much more positive mindset.
Soothing sounds
While a garden is never the same as a walk in the countryside, the soundscape you immerse yourself in is certainly similar. The sound of birdsong and maybe even trickling water could help you to relax after a stressful week. Installing features such as a pond could provide you with your own little zen garden to help your mind settle while reading a book. Once you’ve decided on the pond water features and where to put it, it’s just a matter getting it installed. Adding a Japanese maple tree and lily pads could be the perfect finishing touches to your small oasis, providing a peaceful area to relax and unwind.
Community
You may require some help to refurbish your garden, and that can only be a good thing. A sense of community and bringing people together is great for your general wellness as a result of the socialising. Chatting, working together and helping each other out with personal projects is a perfect way to put your mind onto more positive tasks.
Vitamin D
We in colder climates tend to suffer from a lack of Vitamin D. The UK and many other northern hemisphere countries, such as Canada, spend much of our winters indoors shying from the outside. It’s therefore crucial that we spend as much time outside as possible enjoying the sunshine and soaking up Vitamin D when we can, which is also vital for our bone health. This vitamin is absorbed through the skin, and so all the hard work spent gardening could also be boosting your bone health, as well as your general wellbeing. There’s nothing quite as rewarding as a workout that makes you stronger, healthier and produces visible results both on you and your home.
If you feel your wellness routine could be improved, try not to forget your garden. This patch of land could be your sanctuary if you invest some time and effort into making it visually appealing. It might involve yanking, digging and some heavy-lifting, but your health could well benefit from it in the long-run.