Why gardening can lift our mood
Professor Harriet Gross, author of The Psychology of Gardening, shares why tending our plots – big or small – is good for a happy head
Give your mind a rest
Gardeners often say that their garden and contact with nature keep them sane, particularly in difficult times. Research shows that spending time outdoors gardening, at home or on an allotment, is one of the best ways to improve both mental and physical wellbeing. But why?
Gardening needs relatively little mental effort, compared to other kinds of highly demanding work, so it provides a chance for mental restoration. Many tasks in the garden, whether weeding, pruning or sweeping up leaves, act as a distraction while doing something purposeful.
People say they get fascinated by seeing plants grow, and the beauty of nature takes them into another world. This lets you switch off completely from your usual routines so your attention can wander. In that sense, gardening and the garden are a kind of sanctuary – an escape from daily stresses and concerns – helping us feel refreshed.
Express yourself
Another reason gardening makes us feel good is that it’s creative, an opportunity to express our identity, which is psychologically rewarding in itself. Filling a space, however small, with plants that remind us of special places or people is an opportunity to reflect personal history and culture. Not only that, gardening is a truly optimistic activity, because it assumes a future when those plants, vegetables or trees will grow. That hope is realised when things do flourish, and contribute to a strong sense of satisfaction and achievement.
Physical benefits
Gardening often involves considerable physical effort. Doing any exercise outdoors (green exercise) is known to improve people’s mood more than doing it indoors. Exercise raises the heart rate, pumps blood to the brain and increases endorphins and serotonin levels, the brain chemicals that make us feel good.
Being outside in green space also lowers levels of the stress hormone cortisol. Feeling more positive and less stressed makes it easier to think clearly and make decisions. So, physically tending the garden can help restore our wellbeing.
Easy starting points
Despite its potential for mental restoration, gardening sometimes seems daunting or difficult. If it does, then evidence shows that visiting gardens, a green view from a window or looking after an indoor plant can still have a positive impact. Alternatively, community gardens provide a shared space for gardening alongside others. Restoration is as much physical as psychological. Even five minutes in the garden or on the balcony to check on the bulbs can make a real difference to the day.