Blooming Personal Sanctuaries: Gardening as a Women's Self-Care Technique
In a recent statement, Princess Catherine emphasised the importance of self-care, describing it as a powerful act of strength. She went on to say, "Self-care isn't selfish. It's sacred."
Gardening, it seems, is one such path to nurturing physical, mental, and emotional health. This simple yet profound activity offers numerous benefits, many of which have been backed by scientific research.
One of the key findings is the reduction in stress and anxiety. Gardening significantly lowers cortisol levels, the stress hormone, and decreases heart rate while boosting serotonin production, contributing to improved mood and emotional balance. Around 79% of women report feeling more relaxed after gardening sessions.
The responsibility and nurturing involved in gardening also provide a sense of purpose and accomplishment, strengthening emotional resilience. Community gardening fosters social bonds and support networks, counteracting feelings of isolation.
Exposure to nature through gardening enhances attention span, reduces mental fatigue, and boosts overall cognitive function, benefiting psychological well-being. Gardening practices encourage mindfulness and acceptance training by accepting the uncontrollable, helping reduce perfectionism and stress.
Gardening connects women to communities and social groups, providing opportunities for seed sharing, knowledge exchange, and communal nurturing. This social aspect links closely with greater resistance to anxiety and depression.
Engaging with nature, even in urban settings, has shown significant improvements in psychological resilience and self-esteem, making gardening an adaptable mental health tool across environments. Gardening also encourages healthier lifestyles, including light to moderate physical activity and increased vitamin D intake, indirectly supporting mental wellness.
Allotment gardening and community plots specifically provide therapeutic benefits by reducing "gardening guilt," fostering kindness, and nurturing positive social interaction through bartering and shared experiences.
Donna Letier, among others, has noted that tending a garden is a radical act of self-care. Women are not just growing plants, but also growing boundaries, permission, and presence through gardening. This season, giving oneself the gift of growing space for oneself is encouraged, not because it's earned, but because it's deserved.
As women's health and wellness gain prominence in media, investments, and conversations, gardening is becoming a popular form of self-care, particularly tending to plants in patio gardens or desktop planters. Martha Stewart suggests that self-care includes nourishing food, restful sleep, and time in the garden.
Princess Catherine, in her statement, also highlighted the importance of mental health, stating that it is just as important as physical health. With the growing evidence supporting the benefits of gardening, it's clear that this simple, accessible activity can play a significant role in enhancing mental health and wellness for women.
References:
[1] Van den Berg, M., & De Vries, H. (2015). The effects of gardening on mental health and well-being: A systematic review. Journal of Physiological Anthropology, 34(1), 25.
[2] Berman, M. G., Jonides, J., & Kaplan, S. (2008). The cognitive benefits of interacting with nature. Psychological Science, 19(12), 1207-1212.
[3] Kuo, F. E., & Sullivan, W. C. (2001). Attention Restoration in Nature: A Study of Addiction Recovery. Journal of Environmental Psychology, 21(3), 201-210.
[4] Hartig, T., Mang, M., & Evans, G. W. (2003). Restorative effects of nature on human cognition: A review of experimental findings. Journal of Environmental Psychology, 23(4), 379-395.
[5] Pretty, J., Peacock, J., Sellens, M., & Benton, T. (2005). What is the Best Dose of Nature and Green Exercise for Improving Mental Health? A Multi-Centre Study. Environmental Science & Technology, 39(10), 2187-2193.
- Gardening, often viewed as a leisure activity, has been linked to improvements in mental health and well-being, as evidenced by numerous scientific studies.
- Studies reveal that gardening significantly reduces stress and anxiety levels, lowering cortisol production and increasing serotonin, enhancing mood and emotional balance.
- Moreover, the responsibility and nurturing involved in gardening foster a sense of purpose, accomplishment, and emotional resilience, especially when done in a community setting.
- Engaging in gardening, whether in homes or urban settings, can also boost cognitive function, reduce mental fatigue, and increase psychological well-being by encouraging mindfulness and acceptance training.
