Covid 19 has affected our lives in a huge way. People had to stay home for most of the year because of strict guidelines and restrictions imposed by authorities. Because of this, gardening has become a popular activity, especially among those who needed a hobby while promoting healthy living through simple crop gardens.
With pharmaceutical companies around the world announcing that they will be rolling out a vaccine in the next few months, confidence has surged in many that they can finally go out and resume their “old life.”
But even though life will start picking up its pace, especially with hobbies like traveling, hiking, and other rigorous physical activities, that doesn’t mean that gardening should be left out of the picture. A lot of people will continue gardening, even right after the pandemic.
Other than just adding a bit of glamour to your front and backyard, gardening also plays a key role in keeping the mind active and the body in good condition. This is especially great for those who want a brief respite from the fast-paced life that they have in the office.
What some people may not know is the huge impact of gardening on their health and wellbeing, even health experts agree on this.
Coping Through Gardening
Ever since the beginning of the pandemic, abiding by lockdown rules and regulations by staying at home has been effective at keeping the virus at bay. However, isolating one’s self from the world can often cause loneliness, frustration, and even stress in the long-term.
One of the best ways of coping with everyday life during quarantine is by gardening, and it’s a sure way of refocusing your time and energy.
What Should You Plant?
Well, it will really depend on the type of weather in your area and the amount of maintenance needed for certain types of plants. Succulents are popular plants since they can be planted inside homes, in an urban garden, or outside without too much maintenance or supervision.
For those living in cities, urban gardening has been the way to go, especially when many households will need herb gardens as a substitute for going to the supermarket. Many people living in urban centers had to redecorate their balconies, rooftop gardens, or patios for a more sustainable lifestyle.
It’s important to note that if you’re investing time and money in your garden, it’s best that you consult a professional before working on any major project. Don’t really know what to plant and how to “design” your garden? You might want to consider hiring landscape contractors who can prepare your garden for the right plants based on your soil type and climate.
Benefits of Gardening to Your Health
Meanwhile, some enterprising people turned their gardening passion into a business, and it’s become a lucrative one during this pandemic. Many types of rare indoor tropical plants are now in high demand from instant plant lovers.
But other than being a business venture, most people have been gardening since it’s a great way of managing stress and improving their mental health. Although, you can always make a fortune out of gardening if you’re willing to commit.
But what are some benefits of gardening? Here’s what you’ll need to know:
- Gardening is a great way of starting out your day and sweating it out. You’ll be digging, walking, carrying things, and raking. This is a great way of working out and building up some muscles and reducing the risks of obesity.
- One of the most important benefits of gardening is that it’s known for reducing stress, anxiety, and depression. Studies have shown that people who see more greeneries in their environment are less stressed and calmer. This is also a good way of releasing dopamine and serotonin in the body, which can help stave off feelings of loneliness.
- When you’re growing crops and herbs in your garden, you are essentially making your own food source. This means that you’ll have to spend less on groceries and ingredients while leading a sustainable lifestyle.
- Other than just helping with mental health, it’s also known to help decrease the likelihood of dementia and Alzheimer’s. In fact, studies have shown that it decreases the chances of such diseases by 35%.
Conclusion
Gardening has so many benefits to a person’s health and wellbeing. As the year ends, introducing a new hobby into your life can become a stepping stone towards more and better changes.
If you haven’t decided on a new hobby yet, why not take up gardening?
