Getting out in the garden can have a huge impact on our mental health. Being surrounded by nature and engaging with the plants, soil and environment can help reduce stress, elevate our mood and provide us with that real sense of accomplishment.
It’s why so many professionals recommend it to those suffering with mental health issues, whether that be alcohol help via rehab centres, counsellors aiding people with depression, mental health clinics. Gardening can make a real difference.
We often think of it as a more seasonal activity though. Great for the spring and summer but not so desirable during the winter months. However, there’s plenty to be getting on with during the colder months too, all of which can be equally beneficial for your mental health.
So, if you need a bit of a break and want to nurture your mental health, here are five winter gardening tasks you could try…
Pruning and Tidying
Winter is an ideal time for pruning trees, shrubs, and perennials. This task allows you to focus on the present moment, encouraging mindfulness as you carefully shape plants and remove dead or damaged growth. The rhythmic movements involved in pruning can be meditative, promoting relaxation and reducing anxiety. Additionally, tidying your garden and clearing fallen leaves or debris provides a tangible sense of accomplishment.
Seeing a clean, organised outdoor space can boost mood and create a sense of control during the often dreary winter months.
Planning and Preparing for Spring
Although the garden may appear dormant, winter is the perfect time to plan for the coming seasons. Creating a planting schedule, ordering seeds, and designing garden layouts can provide a productive mental focus. Planning engages your creativity and encourages forward-thinking, offering hope and anticipation for brighter months ahead.
This type of constructive activity can combat feelings of stagnation or low mood that often accompany shorter, darker days. Visualising a thriving garden in spring can foster optimism and provide motivation to maintain healthy routines.
Indoor Gardening
For those colder days when outdoor work is less appealing, indoor gardening offers a soothing alternative. Caring for houseplants, starting seeds in pots, or tending to a herb garden by the windowsill brings nature indoors and encourages responsibility and nurturing. Indoor gardening can improve air quality and brighten your living space, which may enhance mood and reduce stress.
Interacting with greenery provides sensory stimulation, while observing growth and progress can instil a sense of pride and accomplishment.
Composting and Soil Care
Winter is an excellent time to focus on composting and improving soil health. Turning compost heaps, adding organic matter, and preparing beds for spring planting are physically engaging tasks that connect you with natural cycles.
Composting also reinforces mindfulness and patience, as you observe decomposition and understand the process of renewal. Soil care not only benefits your garden but also provides a grounding experience, reminding you of the interconnectedness of nature and fostering a sense of purpose and responsibility.
Observing and Appreciating Wildlife
Finally, winter gardening provides unique opportunities to engage with wildlife. Feeding birds, observing hedgehogs, or spotting winter-active insects can be both calming and inspiring. These interactions encourage presence and mindfulness, allowing you to focus on the smaller, positive aspects of nature.
Engaging with wildlife can also foster feelings of connection, reduce loneliness, and provide simple joys during a season that may otherwise feel isolating. Even minimal interaction with nature can boost serotonin levels and enhance overall wellbeing.
Written by Christos Christophorou
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