Cultivating Well-being: The Multifaceted Importance of Gardening

 -By Gyanshikha Hazarika

In a world where urbanization is proliferating and individuals' time for themselves continues to decline, gardening has a lot of significance. Gardening beautifies the surroundings in which we live and helps increase mental health and work productivity, improving student lives and most importantly improves environmental sustainability. 

Gardens act as miniature ecosystems that help the local ecosystems by giving insects, birds, and other wildlife shelter and food. Thereby preserving the delicate balance of nature and encouraging species conservation. Apart from this, plants perform photosynthesis and serve as organic carbon sinks. In today's world, with a high carbon footprint, gardening helps reduce carbon in the environment. 

Did you know that most metropolitan cities' AQI is going down daily? It is noted that gardening, to a great extent, can mitigate climate change and help reduce the greenhouse effect. 

Gardening also reduces stress caused by everyday hassle. Stress, anxiety, and even depression can be reduced by engaging in activities like spending time in nature, nurturing, and caring for plants. Our brain releases "feel-good" chemicals known as dopamine and serotonin and when we engage in gardening activities they help in the high release of these "feel-good" chemicals, which, as a result, lifts the mood of an individual along with his spirit. Did you know that gardening calls for focus and being present at the moment? It promotes mindfulness, Thus making us aware of the present, and teaches us to care for plants. It is a very thought-provoking practice that requires us to think deeply and care deeply about our surroundings, thus improving mental health and lessening depressive symptoms, mostly among older adults and teens. 

The amount of calmness and clarity of mind provided by gardening can carry over into our professional lives. This enhances our ability to focus and perform better at work, increases when we have lower stress and enhances our general well-being. Did you know that gardening helps in enhancing our creative ability? Yes, you heard it right! Gardening stimulates our creative power, promoting design thinking and problem-solving skills. Such capabilities can improve our capacity to develop innovative solutions and ideas. As we know, gardening is a physical activity that encourages us to access fresh vegetables, thus resulting in a healthy lifestyle. It is said that higher levels of productivity and work performance are correlated with mental and physical wellness.

Gardening is considered one of the best and most effective ways of teaching. In subjects like biology, environmental studies, and even ecology, a garden is an excellent tool for education and giving children the practical knowledge that is necessary for them. Gardening also helps develop social and cooperative abilities, which is very helpful for students to gain essential life skills like problem-solving, cooperation, and communication. Gardening generates a sense of environmental responsibility. Students learn about the value of sustainable lifestyle choices they may make as adults, like composting and water conservation.

Do you still think gardening is just a leisure activity? Preferably not, it helps enhance workplace activity, student productivity, environmental sustainability, and mental health-related issues. Therefore, by embracing the art of gardening, we nurture our plants, well-being, and that of the world around us. Whether you tend to a small balcony garden, a thriving community garden, or simply a potted plant on your windowsill, Always, remember that gardening transcends its aesthetic appeal.