For over two months the entire world has been quarantined. The pandemic of COVID-19 has sent shock waves into our world and it’s drove people to start digging… literally. Spring is here which makes for a perfect time to run into our yards and start getting our hands dirty. People’s urge to tend to their gardens actually stems from a long line of agricultural duties and connection. This global pandemic has brought sustainability into a whole new light.

We should consider growing our own food right in our backyards to ensure safety but that’s not the only thing that keeps people gardening.

Gardening has been proven to relieve stress and anxiety in plenty of ways. According to a study done by the NCBI gardening distracts us from our worries and drastically decreases our fixation on any problems going on in our lives.

What a perfect time to start getting in the dirt!

Back in the day farmers would never see gardening as something to do in their spare time. But as the world has become more and more industrialized those farmers who now work in factories or office jobs feel gardening is nostalgic for olden day farm life.

The beauty of tending a garden becomes more fascinating as soon as the chore is taken out of it.

It’s now something we want to do rather than something we have to do. That free-flowing inspiration to garden is more therapeutic nowadays and people are finding new things to plant and grow. As most of us are missing a huge component of human connection, gardening has become our healer.

Even just simply weeding our overgrown spaces brings extreme satisfaction.

It allows us to put down the screens and just do something productive in nature. The act of weeding helps a surrounding space breathe and makes for new space to grow beneficial plants. The immediate gratification someone feels after cleaning out their yard is relieving while also inspiring new projects!

Gardening allows us to nurture something in nature which brings a great deal of peace.

Japanese researchers found that just 30 minutes outside in the woods lower our cortisol hormone. Cortisol hormone is a hormone that is released by our bodies when we experience stress. Not only does outdoor activity decrease our cortisol levels but it also improves heart rate and blood pressure.

Gardening for just 30 minutes reduces our cortisol levels and even boosts our mood.

How amazing is that!?

It’s crucial that we understand the importance of getting off our phones and become more in touch with nature. As it is proven to heal us even for just a short amount of time.

If you’re looking for a new hobby during quarantine, gardening is the perfect thing to bring more positivity into your life. Gardening is the new yoga and watching your hard work bloom into something beautiful is truly a gift.

It’s time to get back to our roots, pick up the shovels, and watch our seedlings grow!

Please SHARE this with your friends and family.

Source: The Conversation, Forbes, NCBI