Why Gardening Is a Great Hobby When You Feel Overwhelmed.

I have been observing myself over the last couple of years and listening to all my gardening friends. I noticed something about myself and my conversations: how people describe their cut flower garden and the way it makes them feel. 

I hear phrases like this frequently. "Oh man, I walked into the house, and it was a disaster, so I turned right around and went  outside to my garden."

Or" I love getting up every morning and walking outside and watering my plants, pulling a few weeds, drinking my coffee, and seeing what flowers are blooming. It gets me outside and has become an important part of my morning routine. It has become my place to be still, leave my phone in the house, and putter around thinking, praying, and feeling energized. “

This blog post is here to help you put in that garden this year. Even if it's just a couple of plants in pots, let’s create that safe and refreshing space for yourself. 

The Connection Between Gardening and Mental Health

• " Gardening can make you feel more peaceful and content. Focusing your attention on the immediate tasks and details of gardening can reduce negative thoughts and feelings and can make you feel better in the moment. Just spending time around plants eases stress for many people." ​Web MD​​​ 

• "It's been shown to lighten mood and lower levels of stress and anxiety.  It's very gratifying to plant, tend, harvest and share your own food." ​Mayo Clinic

I don't really need to know more than that, do you? 

When you go into your house, and it's a mess, you are stressed from the day and overwhelmed; gardens are proven to help you feel more peaceful and content.

That's crazy. I find myself usually scrolling my phone or looking in my cupboards for comfort food. But once you start this process, you'll find that you want to escape to your garden. It becomes a healing place instead. 

I had one mom tell me that she struggled with being overwhelmed and depressed. She knew that having a hobby was important for mental health. Her struggle. She didn't know what to do! She found cut flowers and grows her garden each year and told me it was just the hobby she needed.

She doesn't feel guilty about it; the best part is that she can share her flowers with others. It changed her life.

The Benefits of Gardening When Feeling Overwhelmed. 

• Gardening helps release serotonin and endorphins. These are our bodies' feel-good hormones that promote mental well-being. 

• Attention restoration theory (ART) was developed by the Kaplans in the 1980s. The theory is people can concentrate better after spending time in or looking at nature. Their work shows the powerful impact gardening can have for people with a range of mental health needs. 

• It helps us escape the mental demands of the day. Being in nature brings peace and calm.  

• The physical activity of gardening can distract from overwhelming thoughts. 

How Gardening Refuels and Refreshes 

• The satisfaction of seeing the fruits of your labor grow. 

  Flowers, even more than anything, bring such joy. Every time a new flower opens, it is breathtaking and exciting. Each intricate detail is amazing. 

  Cutting flower gardens takes patience, and they do take some work. Flowers are the greatest reward after that work, and you can't describe the feeling you get when you cut your first flowers.   

• The positive impact of spending time outdoors and in nature

  I always talk about this if you have been around a little while. 

  I get so stir-crazy and anxious when I can't get outside. This was something I noticed in myself when I started listening to my body and after I learned the benefits of being outside every day. Having a purpose to go outside and a reward of cutting flowers away helps as well. 

Tips for Incorporating Gardening into Your Daily Routine 

• Practical tips on how to make time for gardening, even in a busy schedule.

  Time is probably the biggest struggle for every flower gardener. 

  I wrote a blog post HERE about scheduling time for your health this year. Check it out if time is a problem for you. 

  Many of the moms I talk to say starting their morning in the garden has worked the best for them. But maybe the evening is what works for you. Do what works for you.

• Start small.

  My farm's cut Flower Garden Kit is a great way to grow a garden. They are easy to grow and maintain and give loads and loads of flowers all summer. 

  The fastest way to being overwhelmed in your garden is by biting off more than you can chew. So be realistic to yourself. 

If you struggle with feeling overwhelmed, maybe it's time to try gardening. Take time to do something you love and find refreshing. 

Science proves gardening, especially flowers, to be a very rewarding activity and a great boost for our mental health. 

I encourage you to give it a try and see if it works for you. 

Let’s help each other out:

• Comment below and share your own experiences with gardening and mental health.

• Do you have any tips for incorporating gardening into your daily lives?