Heading off to the spa for a relaxing day outing sounds great, but this is just a dream for so many busy people. What with work, kids, cooking, chores, and shopping, who has time for this?
But, in today’s hectic world, taking time out is a must and can greatly improve your health, your mindset, and your outlook on life.
Just beyond your doorstep, or even inside your home, is a space waiting to welcome you and soothe your soul – your outdoor or indoor garden!
Gardening can be more than just growing plants, it can be a chance to relax, meditate, regroup, improve your mood, and be mindful of the world around us, without taking stress and strain.
The Therapeutic Benefits of Gardening
I am sure that at some time, you have experienced the wonderful feeling of calmness that gardening brings. This is what I have discovered!
Stress Reduction – Gardening invites us to step away from the hectic pace of our daily lives and immerse ourselves in a world where time slows to the rhythm of nature. The simple act of tending to plants, feeling the soil between our fingers, and witnessing the growth of plants creates a serene haven that acts as a powerful antidote to stress. Studies have shown that engaging in gardening can reduce cortisol levels, the infamous stress hormone, leaving us feeling grounded and rejuvenated.
Improved Mood – There is an undeniable joy that comes from watching a garden come to life. Whether it is the first sign of a bud or the blooming of a flower, these moments of growth are emotionally uplifting. Gardening stimulates the release of serotonin and dopamine, neurotransmitters responsible for elevating our mood. Don’t get put off by the long words! Just know that you will feel a million times happier!
Connection to Nature – In this hectic digital life, we are often totally disconnected from the natural world. Gardening offers a gentle reminder that we are a part of something greater. As we dig, plant, and nurture, we reconnect with the earth and its cycles, creating a sense of belonging and purpose. Farmers and people of the land understand these connections and the emotions they bring. But, even city dwellers can connect in the same way through a small garden or even an indoor garden with a few plants in pots.
My Majestic Pride of India Bush
Growing outdoors I have a majestic Pride of India plant. It has taken many years to reach this stage. Some years, for reasons that I cannot fathom, it did not bloom at all. But, look at this now – it is a true beauty!
The Pride of India known by a scary formal name – Lagerstroemia speciosa – is also called the Queen’s Crape Myrtle or the Jarul tree.
In some cultures, the Pride of India holds symbolic importance, often associated with celebration and festivity. In India, it is revered for its auspicious presence during festivals, weddings, and other joyous occasions. The blooming branches are incorporated into decorations, adorning spaces with a natural tapestry of color and vitality.
The plant is native to Southeast Asia, but has traveled across the globe and adapted to diverse climates, including our weather in the US. It is resilient and hardy and requires very little maintenance. I am not a gardener who keeps to a routine. So my plants may go without water for weeks! Luckily the Pride of India does not seem to mind and has florished. If you know how to use plants for medicinal uses, I am told that the bark and the leaves have amazing anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial powers.
As an added bonus, the Pride of India attracts bees and butterflies, adding sound, movement, and color to your garden.
Mindful Gardening Practices
I have spent some time learning about mindfulness, and trying to practice it. If you are skeptical (as I was), mindfulness is not religion, a cult, or a belief, it is simply the practice of being fully present and engaged in the current moment, with a non-judgmental awareness of thoughts, feelings, and surroundings.
This is easy to do in the safety of your garden, that is why I found it the perfect place to get started.
Be Present in the Moment – Mindful gardening begins with being fully present in the moment. As you walk through your garden, take a pause. Feel the earth beneath your feet, breathe in the scents of blooming flowers, and let the rustling leaves remind you of a melody. It is not just about growing plants, it is about savoring each moment of the growing process.
Become Attuned to the Rhythms of Nature – Nature has its own rhythms, and mindful gardeners can tap into them. Pay attention to the seasons, the cycles of growth and dormancy. Planting and pruning becomes more than a task, but a connection with the natural ebb and flow of the rhythms of the Earth.
Engage Your Senses – Gardening is a sensory experience, and mindfulness invites you to engage all your senses. Feel the texture of the soil, notice the vibrant colors of petals, listen to the hum of bees and the chirping of the birds, and savor the fresh earthy scent after a rainfall. This is a sensorial experience that grounds you in the present moment and makes you forget all your worries, and stresses.
Every Act is Therapeutic – Each act of care becomes a therapeutic endeavor. Pruning a plant, weeding a bed, or watering seedlings turns into a meditative practice. As you immerse yourself in these tasks, the mind quiets, and stress begins to dissipate. The garden becomes a sanctuary of calm that heals both the gardener and the greenery.
Be Grateful – Mindful gardeners cultivate gratitude for the magic of growth. Witnessing a seedling unfurl its first leaves or a bud blossoming into full bloom becomes a moment of celebration. Every interaction can give you a moment of gratitude.
Mindful gardening is not just about nurturing plants. It is about tending to the soul, fostering a deep connection to the natural world, and finding peace in the simple act of cultivating life.
I’d love to hear your stories about how gardening helps you feel better and calms you in your busy life!