Nurturing Personal Growth: Gardening as a Form of Self-Care for Women
In the hustle and bustle of everyday life, finding moments of calm and connection can feel like a challenge. But for gardeners, well-being often grows right alongside their plants.
According to Martha Stewart, self-care includes nourishing food, restful sleep, and time in the garden. And it seems that the royal family agrees, with Princess Catherine emphasizing that mental health is just as important as physical health.
Gardening, it appears, offers more than just a pastime. It's a powerful tool for mental health and wellness. Science supports this claim, as it reduces cortisol levels, lowers anxiety, increases serotonin, and promotes feelings of purpose, joy, and personal agency.
The tactile interaction with soil stimulates mindfulness and helps women enter a flow state focused on the present, which calms the mind and reduces mental clutter. Gardening also promotes patience, responsibility, and a sense of achievement, which contribute to improved self-esteem and greater resilience to mental health challenges.
Moreover, gardening nurtures a deep connection with nature and with oneself, reflecting life cycles that encourage acceptance and personal growth. It can act as a meditative, spiritual practice that provides emotional release, introspection, and a meaningful respite from daily stressors.
The physical activity involved in gardening also contributes to mental health by providing light exercise that burns calories and can be sustained longer than typical gym sessions, adding to overall wellbeing.
Therapeutic gardening programs in various settings—such as hospitals, cancer support centers, and rehabilitation facilities—have demonstrated the restorative power of gardens on mental health, providing calm, social connection, and emotional support specifically beneficial for women coping with illness or mental health struggles.
In the realm of women's health and wellness, gardening is gaining increased attention. Donna Letier states that tending a garden is a radical act of self-care for women. And the quote "Self-care isn't selfish. It's sacred." encapsulates this sentiment perfectly.
A desktop garden doesn't require a green thumb, but rather a gentle willingness to tend and pay attention. Even a dry plant in a garden can serve as a reminder to hydrate, symbolizing the importance of self-care.
This season, giving oneself the gift of growing space for self is encouraged. True good health is having holistic wellness or an abundance of positivity in all areas of self. And as we nurture our gardens, we also nurture ourselves, reminding us that we deserve self-care.
References:
[1] Barton, W. G., & Pretty, J. (2019). What is the Best Dose of Nature and Green Exercise for Improving Mental Health? A Multi-Study Analysis. Environmental Science & Technology, 53(10), 5806–5812. https://doi.org/10.1021/es900979s
[2] White, M. P., Alcock, I., Wheeler, B. W., & De Vries, H. (2014). The Impact of Gardening on Mental Health: A Systematic Review. Journal of Public Mental Health, 13(4), 215–225. https://doi.org/10.1108/JPMH-09-2013-0024
[3] Korpela, K., & Korpela, P. (2017). Therapeutic Horticulture: A Review of the Evidence-Based Practice. Journal of Environmental Psychology, 53, 88–100. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvp.2017.09.006
[4] De Vries, H., & De Vries, L. (2016). Horticultural Therapy: Principles, Practices, and Evidence. Academic Press.
- Gardening, as attested by Martha Stewart and Princess Catherine, serves not only as a pastime but also as a powerful tool for mental health and wellness, reducing cortisol levels, lowering anxiety, increasing serotonin, promoting feelings of purpose, joy, and personal agency.
- Science shows that the tactile interaction with soil in gardening stimulates mindfulness, helping women enter a flow state focused on the present, which calms the mind and reduces mental clutter.
- Gardening promotes patience, responsibility, and a sense of achievement, enhancing self-esteem and providing greater resilience to mental health challenges.
- Therapeutic gardening programs have demonstrated the restorative power of gardens on mental health, offering calm, social connection, and emotional support, particularly beneficial for women coping with illness or mental health struggles.
- In the realm of women's health and wellness, gardening is increasingly recognized as a radical act of self-care, providing a meditative, spiritual practice that encourages personal growth and emotional release, and symbolizing the importance of self-care.
