Wednesday, October 24, 2018

Did you know that one of the best remedies for stress and anxiety might be right outside your front door?

According to mental health clinicians at the University of Central Florida (UCF), gardening and being out in nature leads to a number of health benefits and positive feelings, which ultimately contribute to a state of well-being. In fact, the UCF Counseling and Psychology Services staff has started helping students cope with anxiety and depression by handing out “prescriptions” for gardening at the on-campus Arboretum.

Gardening paves the way for stress reduction thanks to its combination of physical, mindful and social qualities, all of which take place in peaceful surroundings among nature. Calming, outdoor environments that provide fresh air, sunshine and sounds from nature, tap the senses and help contribute to an overall sense of calmness.

Want to get a little garden therapy into your life? You don’t need a green thumb to reap the benefits. Here are a few easy steps you can take no matter where you live:

Rake the leaves. If you’re in an area with deciduous trees, just grab a rake and get going.

Plant a pot. You don’t need to embark on an entire garden bed. Fill a container with potting soil and place it on your front stoop, patio or balcony, and plant some easy to care for plants or veggies.

Pull weeds. Even if you have no flowers or vegetables, everyone has weeds, and pulling them out of the ground is highly therapeutic.

Garden on your windowsill. If you’re stuck indoors due to weather, or spend long hours at the office, plant some seeds in small pots on a sunny windowsill and spend a few minutes each day tracking their progress and nurturing them with water and fertilizer. The practice of caring for them will create a mindful moment each day where you can breathe deep and gain perspective.  

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