With the struggle to flatten the curve of COVID-19, most households are quarantined and food-obsessed. So, why not start a veggie garden?
Sure, we are all aware of the physical benefits of gardening. Getting enough precious Vitamin D while digging, pruning and stretching will build and tone muscles, strengthen bones, lower blood pressure and improve your resistance to heart disease, diabetes and many more. Also, think of the trimmed down grocery shopping list … it’s a win-win, right?
However, it turns out that digging in the dirt might be more beneficial than you think. Gardening is one of the most enjoyable tools in the arsenal against anxiety and depression. Mentally the calming effect of gardening have become so important that doctors are prescribing it not only for patients with cancer and dementia, but for anyone with mental health problems. Healing gardens are being installed in mental health institutions, hospitals with terminally ill patients and at penitentiaries across the globe.
Gardening puts your mind into an almost meditative state of relaxation. Most wonder drugs are costly and come with dire risks and side effects. Plants and seeds however offer a simple deal: plant and tend to me correctly, and I’ll grow for you. Simple as that! This “grounding technique” is exactly the predictable outcome that is very comforting right now.
The satisfaction of keeping something alive, and the responsibility that comes with it, is enough to give us a sense of purpose and pride. It drags us out of our tortured heads and back into the natural world, which blunts the emotional extremes to which our thoughts are prone to. There is even a type of soil bacteria found almost everywhere outdoors, Mycobacterium Vaccae, which is believed to stimulate the production of norepinephrine and serotonin in your body, just like an antidepressant.
Even if you’re all thumbs in the garden (not the green kind), it’s the perfect time to be a home gardener, because you’re home. Backyard gardening can inspire you to take an interest in the origin of your food and make better choices about what you put on your plate. Growing your own food isn’t rocket science. It’s actually remarkably simple. If you’re a rookie, start small. Even a few pots along a window ledge will lift your spirit.
So, put a few seeds in a container, add a little sun and water, and see how it goes. Sure, it takes a little time, but things like tomatoes, lettuce, peppers – basic kitchen crops – are very forgiving. Or try your hand at herbs: chives, mint, parsley, and thyme; all easy growers.
There has never been a more sensible time for edible gardening. If you are looking to reduce your anxiety levels: enter gardening. Make an appointment with mother nature and sow seeds of comfort.
“To plant a garden is to believe in tomorrow” – Audrey Hepburn
Source: pushdoctor.co.uk, fix.com, psychologytoday.com, healthline.com, mentalhelp.net, health.harvard.edu, wsj.com, daviddomoney.com, marketwatch.com
DISCLAIMER: The information on this website is for educational purposes only, and is not intended as medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. If you are experiencing symptoms or need health advice, please consult a healthcare professional.
