“Gardening adds years to your life and life to your years”

Some people may think “why Gardening”

In fact the real question should be “why NOT Gardening”?

Gardening is not just about making your home look good, it is much more than that. And doing it with your hands, it is so respectful to the age-old practice – which some even regard as sacred because whether we are seeking an exquisite bunch of blossoms, some delicious edibles or a pastime to quite our mind – a garden proved to be fertile in so many happy ways.

Gardening keeps your mind and body healthy and simultaneously boosts your quality of life… give it a serious thought.

So guys, this Spring, roll up your sleeves and get digging, planting and weeding. But, if you still need some  more motivation, consider these advantages.

• Takes care of mental health

Gardening may not be an immediate intervention for better mental health but science suggest that it can function in exactly that way. Ever heard of “Horticultural Therapy”? it’s basically used to enhance an individual’s well-being, physical as well as mental, through active or passive involvement in plant and plant-related activities. Popularised in the wake of 2^nd world war to rehabilitate the veterans, it is presently widely accepted as an effective therapeutic modality.

Science behind it? 

Well, there’s a profound sense of accomplishment which comes when you see a plants growing from the soil from the seed you sowed, or new leaves opening up, or blooming of flowers, or cropping of little fruits/vegetables. Not only that, the seasonal renewal of plants also provide reason to be optimism, which in turn increases self-confidence, self-esteem and gratification.

• Keeps you in good shape

Gardening is considered a moderate-intensity exercise. With gardening work (pulling weeds, planting, watering, mowing lawn) an average person can burn around 200-400 calories an hour. It involves lot of body movements – bending, twisting, lifting, carrying etc., which builds strength, engage muscles fibres and lowers blood pressure. All this for your betterment.

• Boosts mood

Getting our hands muddy apparently boosts our serotonin levels (our brain’s feel-good hormone), lack of which is often responsible for low mood and even depression. Interestingly, when we come in contact with soil, a certain soil bacterium, Mycobacterium vaccae, triggers the release of serotonin which works as a natural mood-booster and makes us feel happier.

Note: it’s always better to garden without gloves and let your hands make the most out of that benefit.

• Increases sociability

Gardening can be rewarding as a solitary undertaking, but it can just be a beginning of good friendships or happy family time. Not necessarily, you have to do gardening in your balconies or terraces; go out in the colony parks and let the society know that you are a nature-lover!!

Those who garden together report an enhanced sense of community and social bonds – an important instrument to combat loneliness, boredom… Colony or Shared Roof-top Gardens may act as effective mediums to bring us together thus fostering vital socializations and friendships, which some of us are in desperate need!!

• Provides a sense of purpose

In essence, gardening is an act of nurturing and care, similar in many ways to caring a pet or a child. When you plant a seed and watch it grow slowly an take up the shape of a plant and then blossom with Flowers/Fruits/Vegetables…. It gives you a sense of triumph. Sometimes, that is enough to make you feel like having value – a purpose.

The size of the garden doesn’t really matter… whether it is a big roof-top garden with 100s of florae, or balcony garden with 8-10 plants or just keeping the indoor houseplants healthy – the feeling, the happiness is same.

I, literally, every morning survey my flower plants to see if there is a new bud, look for new little leaves in money plant… and when I get to see one, it simply makes my day J

• Sparks creativity

Gardening lets your creative flourish. A spell in the garden, with your plants, will help to bring out your creative best. Try and make the best use of the available space. Put your thoughts on how to setup a vegetable garden or working out for a rose garden layout or figuring out which vegetable to grow better…. Focusing on minute details can calm you down and help you process your mental clutter better. This makes way for many creative and original ideas.

A Garden is your BFF (Best Friend Forever)…… You can bring out the writer in you (like me J), you can get the idea for your next project, you can practice your music, you can fulfil your passion of reading…. It makes your life all the more beautiful.

• Feel healthy… eat healthy

Our own produce is good for our tummy too.. grow the veggies in your garden in organic way… chemical-free, pesticide-free. Have the feel of freshest, purest and most flavorful.