5 Ways to Reduce Stress with Gardening and Houseplants

It’s the time of the year to plant the seeds for growth!

Engaging in gardening and tending to houseplants can have numerous stress-reducing benefits as well as provide you with the opportunity to grow and include more nutritious whole food plants into your diet.

Even if you are not a "pro" at gardening or caring for plants, there are many low-maintenance options and ways to include gardening and houseplants to help reduce your stress (and boost your mood!).

Below are five ways these activities can help alleviate stress:

Connection with Nature

Gardening and caring for houseplants provide an opportunity to connect with nature, even in urban settings. Spending time outdoors or bringing nature indoors through plants can have a calming effect on the mind and body. Interacting with plants and witnessing their growth and beauty can create a sense of serenity and tranquility.

Pictured in the foreground are Little Fiddle Leaf Fig, Bamboo, Radiator Plant, Dieffenbachia.

Pictured in the background are Cat Palm and Golden Pothos. All are easy to care for indoors!

Mindfulness and Relaxation

Gardening and plant care require focus and attention to detail. Engaging in these activities promotes mindfulness, where you are fully present in the moment and aware of your actions. This mindfulness helps to shift your focus away from stressors and worries, leading to a more relaxed state of mind.

Physical Activity and Exercise

Gardening involves physical activity such as digging, planting, weeding, and watering. These activities can serve as a form of gentle exercise and help release tension in the body. Engaging in physical activity triggers the release of endorphins, which are natural mood-boosting chemicals that help reduce stress and promote a sense of well-being.

Using grow bags and a portable greenhouse is an easy and inexpensive way to create a garden in or around your home. The grow bags are nonwoven fabric, portable, reusable, BPA free, and can be purchased in sizes from 1 gallon through 30 gallons, for less than $35 for a set! The portable greenhouse “cloche” in this video is 3ft high x 3ft deep x 6ft long and took just 15 minutes to construct and it costs less than $50 (smaller sizes are less than $18). This year we are growing roma tomatoes, cherry tomatoes, jalapeno peppers, habanero peppers, eggplant, carrots, swiss chard, onions, cilantro, basil, rosemary, spearmint and blackberries.

Therapeutic and Creative Outlet

Gardening allows for self-expression and creativity. It provides an outlet for nurturing and tending to living things, which can be deeply satisfying. Designing and arranging plants, choosing different varieties, and experimenting with colors and textures can be a fulfilling and therapeutic experience, fostering a sense of accomplishment and joy.

Environmental Connection and Control

Taking care of plants allows you to create and control your environment. It provides a sense of responsibility and ownership, which can be empowering. Being able to nurture and witness the growth of plants offers a sense of accomplishment and can boost self-esteem. It also provides a sense of control and stability in an often unpredictable world, leading to reduced stress levels.

Engaging in gardening and tending to houseplants offers a multi-faceted approach to stress reduction, combining the benefits of nature, mindfulness, physical activity, creativity, and a sense of control. 

Whether you have a spacious garden or a small indoor space, incorporating these activities into your routine can bring about a sense of calm and well-being. 🌱