I think it is safe to say that most of us have gone through something in our lives that has caused us to struggle. Some of us may be going through divorce or dealing with the death of a loved one. Others are trying desperately to cope with the daily struggles of having a family or a high-expectation job. While our stressors can be any number of things, finding a way to alleviate those pressures is important.
Coping strategies are different for everyone. What works for some does not work for all.
Although I am a fairly new gardener, it has proved to be a multifaceted hobby that checks a lot of my boxes for leading a healthy and fulfilling life. Not only does it provide a way for my family to cut back on our grocery bill, but functions almost as a form of therapy.
While it does not take the place of talking with an actual counselor, there are many benefits to gardening that rarely get discussed.
Practicing Mindfulness
Practicing mindfulness is the act of focusing on the present moment while acknowledging our own thoughts and feelings. An important aspect of this practice is suspending judgment to allow your mind to refocus.
Sometimes, merely focusing on a task is enough to get us out of our heads and provides an opportunity to step back and think clearly. Personally, if I am reading or watching a movie it can be extremely difficult for me to stop my train of racing thoughts or my excessive worries.
Because I am used to do several things at once (mom life, am I right?) it is way too easy for my mind to wander. I can go over a litany of unrealistic fears before I’m done reading a paragraph in a book. I think we can all agree that level of worrying is just not productive.
While I am working in my garden, I have found that not only am I engaging my body and but also my mind. It is harder for my mind to wander and easier for me to objectively take a step back. Am I judging a problem based on a potential catastrophe? Or, do I just need to take a break and revisit a situation later?
Soaking in that Vitamin D
I take a lot of different vitamins because of my migraines but I specifically take one to help my mood – vitamin D. There have been numerous studies done on what exactly a lack of vitamin D can do to your mood. Namely, you are more likely to be depressed, experience fatigue, and have increased anxiety.
While taking this vitamin helps, it’s really no substitute for getting outside. Regular sun exposure is probably the easiest and most natural way to get the vitamin D that your body requires. This is only too easy to get if you have a garden.
Exercising
Exercising is one of those things that tends to fall by the wayside. If my schedule is filling up or I am tired, it is the first thing off my list. Ironically, it should be one of the items you most definitely do as it is an investment in your health.
Since we rely on our garden for food, it doesn’t ever come off my list. I always go out there.
You would be surprised how much exercise you accomplish merely by doing chores in the garden. Whether it be pulling weeds, harvesting, or watering, your body is constantly in motion.
Continuing to learn
If there is one goal I have for myself, it is to learn one new thing a day. In the past I really didn’t have much direction as far as the subject matter. I was constantly learning at my 40+ hour a week job and was actively engaged in expanding my knowledge base in social work.
This changed drastically when I started to stay home with my daughter. Initially, all my focus went into homemaking. However, the fatal flaw in that is that, while I enjoy doing things for my family, it is not something I am particularly interested in. I don’t get up in the morning excited to dust the drapes or clean the microwave.
What I am interested in is sustainability. I want the capability to care for most of our needs on our own.
Gardening is a practice that lines up with my current mentality. It provides me with endless opportunities to practice my skills and learn new things. I find myself constantly seeking out new information in order to improve our food supply.
Practicing Adaptability
Mother nature is unpredictable and ever-changing. I can’t even tell you how many times we have had to pivot on our plans because the weather threw a wrench in them.
For example, we were hoping to have our high tunnel completed by now. We got as far as putting up the frame before the temperature started dropping. We are currently dealing with over seven inches of snow. With the high being 14 degrees for the rest of the week, we will not be working on that structure any time soon.
Gardening has taught me to be less rigid and more flexible. Quite simply, there often is just no way of predicting the future. One year you could have enormous pest pressure. Another year you could have a bumper harvest. Learning to be flexible is something that has benefited me in all areas of my life.
Nurturing your space
I am obviously a person that likes to nurture. I have always gotten joy out of seeing people grow.
There is nothing quite like watching something come from nothing. It never ceases to amaze me that a seed becomes a plant which becomes a fruit. It is incredible to think of how something so minuscule can result in a product that can be life changing.
My garden allows me to nurture our land and nurture my family. To me, those things will always be important. My aim is not only take care of myself, but to take ownership of my community and leave it better than I found it.
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