Who doesn’t enjoy spending time relaxing and taking in nature in a beautiful garden. But did you know that relaxing or working in the garden can actually benefit your health?

The sights, smells and sounds of a garden promote relaxation and reduce stress. If you actually spend time working in the garden, planting or pulling weeds, you get the added benefit of physical activity.

Spending time in a garden is a way to nurture and replenish our spirit.  In general, our society spends way too much time at the computer or plugged in to other electronic devices.  All of this time spent focusing on electronics can create attention fatigue adding to our already stressful lives.

The effortless form of attention spent enjoying a beautiful garden helps us replenish that attention fatigue which leads to reducing stress and improving our mood.  Just 15 minutes a day spent spent soaking in the sun in a beautiful garden atmosphere can elevate your mood.

Another benefit to gardening is that it is a great form of physical activity.  Digging, planting, weeding, and watering gives your body plenty of opportunity to move and stretch without hitting the gym.

You don’t need a big backyard to enjoy the benefits of gardening.  If you have a small patio you can get started with adding small houseplants or even container gardening.

The most important thing is to break away from your electronic devices and begin enjoying the improved mood and health benefits of spending time in a garden.  As we approach the end of summer, it’s not too late to try your hand at some simple gardening and discover for yourself  an elevated mood and improved health!

Happy Gardening!

Let me know what’s growing in your garden!  I love hearing from you!

Gerri