3 Ways Gardening Can Benefit Mental Health

red deer village retirement scotland - gardening can benefit mental health

From houseplants to allotments, there’s a type of garden available to all of us, no matter how big or small. There’s a simple joy to be had from taking a seed and making it grow, or keeping a plant alive through the changing seasons. Not only is it a great way to keep in touch with nature, but it’s also a chance to take a break from the screen and digital devices that take up a lot of our time and focus on something in the present moment. It should come as no surprise then that 42% of Brits say that they enjoy gardening, with the number of people saying that they find it relaxing increasing with age. If you’re in the 58% that aren’t yet convinced of the benefits, let’s explore how the age-old hobby of gardening can bring enjoyment and boost your mental health.

The joy of slowing down

In a world that is constantly speeding up and evolving, it can be a challenge to slow down and savour the moment. There always seems to be something to do – whether that’s call a friend, sort out bills or do the food shopping. Even keeping up with TV programmes can get somewhat demanding, albeit in a nice way, as episodes increase and the variety of programmes available gets larger.

Whilst there are some ways to mimic different environments, such as heated greenhouses and cold frames, there’s no speeding up the growing process. Seeds take time to germinate, they require careful attention to nurture and they’ll bloom when they’re ready. As a result, gardening can help you slow down, enjoy the present and appreciate the beauty of waiting for something to come to fruition.

Retirement Park homes in Scotland

Increased self-esteem

There’s something incredibly rewarding about looking at your garden and seeing your hard work brought to life. Whether you’ve carefully managed pests so that your flowers look amazing, or you’ve grown fruit and vegetables that you can cook in your own kitchen, gardening will make you proud of your achievements and feel good about yourself. There’s nothing more satisfying than being able to enjoy a green space that you’ve curated with love and care.

If you’re concerned about the environment, it can also make you feel good to know that you’re playing your part in helping support the ecosystem via your garden. Planting flowers that encourage wildlife to thrive, cutting your lawn less often, providing a pond or other water source and reducing your use of pesticides can all help pollinators.

Connection with others

Gardening can be an amazing way to connect with other people, both by simply sharing the joy of sitting in the garden together, but also via the horticultural community. You’ll find that other gardeners will be keen to discuss their plants, share seeds and even offer advice on any problems. Having this common interest can be a great way to make new friends, both in person and online, which in turn can reduce loneliness.

Get out into the community

If you don’t have space for your own garden, why not look to see if there are any community projects near you, or take on an allotment? These community options allow you to get all the benefits of gardening, even if you live in a flat or highly urban area. No matter what size space you end up with, gardening is sure to boost your mental health.

Red Deer Village in Glasgow

Gardening at Red Deer Village for your Mental Health

At Red Deer Village, the over 50’s retirement village on the outskirts of Glasgow, Scotland, we place a large importance on the wellbeing of our residents. All of our residential park homes for sale come with their own small garden, which the avid green finger can enjoy taking care of.

We also place a large importance on community. Our residents hub is where neighbours can meet for a tea or coffee and catch up with friends. It also holds regular events, such as cheese and wine nights, Macmillan coffee afternoons and knitting bees. Our courtesy shuttle bus will also take residents for shopping once a week and to a monthly outing to a destination of residents choosing. To find out more about our retirement park in Scotland, please contact us. A member of our team will be happy to help!

Author: Comparethemarket
Edited by: Red Deer Village