Moon Valley Nursery - Arizona Blog

How Plants Are Making Your Life Better

Written by Jessica Downs | 3/1/2021

Life can get stressful. With so much on our plates, it can be tough to take a step back and appreciate what we have. Plants can make your life better in a myriad of ways. If you are looking for a new hobby, check out this guide to see how growing plants can help you stay on top of your mental health. And if you’re already really into landscaping, planting, and gardening, this guide will make you understand why this activity brings you so much happiness. Take a look at these ways plants are making your life better.

Plants Can Give You A Break From The Chaos

Especially with the COVID-19 pandemic, Americans are experiencing a great deal of stress. Plants can get you to take a break from the chaos. When you’re tending your hedges or researching fertilizers, you’re finding a constructive way to distract yourself. You don’t have to think about your emails or anything that’s making you anxious in your personal life, you can just be surrounded by nature. When you’re going through a difficult period of your life, plants can make you regain a semblance of control. For instance, growing a plant involves having a clear structure and well-defined goals. According to experts, having a daily routine can help reduce stress. You need to regularly water and nurture your plants in order to have a successful garden.

 

Uncertainty is a trigger for stress. But with plants, you can earn a sense of accomplishment when you see your flowers bloom or fruit ripening. It’s great to remind yourself of how hard you’ve worked and how far you’ve come. Especially if you’re trying to improve your mental health, it’s good to have a model of something you accomplished through being diligent, thorough, and thoughtful.

Being Outdoors Is Good for Your Mental Health

According to experts, there’s a link between spending time outdoors and improved mental health. Whether you spend all afternoon watering and tending to your garden, or just do it every now and then, your mental health can benefit from spending time outside. Do you consider yourself more of an indoorsy type of person? Well, plants can be the first step you need to venture outside.

 

Reduces Your Stress and Anxiety

Plants have been shown to reduce stress and anxiety while increasing feelings of happiness. Though plants are great for your mental health, you may need additional help. If you are going through a rough patch, you should talk to a professional online therapist. They can be a great resource for coming up with strategies on how to move forward.

 

Makes You More Productive

Do you ever feel aimless? Do you ever feel as if no matter how hard you try or how much coffee you drink, you simply can’t get that task done? Studies show that working in the presence of plants can boost your productivity and creativity.

By surrounding yourself with plants, you can increase your ability to do your everyday tasks and even tap into your creative self. A study found that weaving creativity into your everyday life can improve your well-being. Even the most talented, gifted artists have issues with tapping into their artistic side. By working on your plants, you can get the space you need to enhance your creative expression and channel any negative energy into making compelling art.

Can Help You Be Socially Connected

A recent survey found some shocking, unfortunate news: 36% of Americans reported feeling “serious loneliness.” According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, loneliness can be linked to depression, heart failure, and an increased risk of getting dementia. Loneliness is a serious issue and it’s time we come up with productive ways to tackle it.

Though gardening can be a solitary activity, it doesn’t have to be! Your friends can come over and tend to your vines. If you have a particular friend who is great at gardening, this can be a fantastic chance to strike up a bond with a new activity you can do together. They can stop by once a week and give you some insight into which plants work for your backyard. For instance, some trees are perfect for the desert.

Did you just move to a new place and are struggling to make new friends? Well, we always have viewed our nurseries as little communities. Developing an interest in plants can help connect you with a whole world of new people who are happy, outgoing, and welcoming. Here are some gardening-related socializing ideas:

 

  • Monthly Potluck: Once a month, host a dinner with all your gardening friends where everyone brings a dish comprised of fresh ingredients from their garden.
  • Post Photos Together With Your Plants: A ripened fruit is a huge accomplishment! Post a photo of it on social media and you will see that plenty of your friends also love to garden.
  • Visit Nurseries: Go to one of our nurseries with your friends and peruse our wide selection of trees, shrubs, vines, and cacti.  

 

Plants Can Improve Your Health

Fruits and vegetables are a crucial part of any healthy diet. Eating well can decrease your chance of cancer, improve your mood, assist with weight loss, and enhance your memory. By growing your own fruits and vegetables, you are increasing your chance of actually eating them. Instead of gorging on fast food burgers and fries, you will snack on something you’ve grown from scratch. There’s nothing like biting into an orange or peach that’s homegrown. Not only is it delicious, but you will have a real sense of accomplishment.

Getting regular physical activity can assist with managing depression, anxiety, cancer, and Type 2 diabetes. Gardening can be seen as a great way to get more exercise. Whether it’s shoveling dirt or walking around as you examine your hedges, tending to your plants can be physically stimulating. Though you should definitely include other activities in your workout step, gardening is a good first step.

Plants can make your life better and more thrilling. If you want to start your journey with plants, visit one of our nurseries today.