How to Grow Well-Being Through Gardening and Hobbies

Close your eyes and picture a barren landscape being transformed into a green oasis, where every plant and flower testifies to the gardener’s patience and care. How does it make you feel?

Yes, this is a journey to personal fulfillment and growth through transforming a plot of land into a garden, which I’ve experienced firsthand. Starting with nothing but bare rocks that did not resemble a garden, I moved earth and planted seeds, slowly cultivating my own sanctuary, protected from the chaos of the world outside. Growing a garden has had an immense effect on my emotions and physical well-being, and this helped me navigate the ups and downs of life.

Cultivating a Sanctuary

My therapeutic experience of cultivating a garden is echoed by research on the benefits of this hobby. For example, a meta-analysis published in the PMC—NCBI revealed that gardening increases life satisfaction, vigor, and positive mood. Research also shows that the duration and frequency of gardening activities correlate with positive health outcomes.

These findings confirm my experience: the more I invest in my garden, the more healthy and happy I feel. Every moment I spend with my hands in the soil gives me peace and satisfaction. And the best thing is that it’s not about the end result. The very process of tending a garden is extremely rewarding and has a lasting effect on well-being.

Therapy through Gardening

Research shows that gardening’s benefits extend beyond the individual. During the pandemic, a study published in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health found that therapeutic community gardening helped improve life satisfaction and reduce feelings of loneliness. 

This resonates with my own experience of belonging to a gardening society. Its membership gives me a sense of belonging to a community of fellow gardeners who share their knowledge and support each other in their horticultural endeavors.

Another article, published in PMC—NCBI, confirms the health-promoting benefits of gardening and emphasizes its role in mental and physical well-being. Caring for plants and being surrounded by green spaces provides a regular dose of tranquility and creates a natural reprieve from the busyness of daily life. 

Research from Texas A&M Today also supports the idea that gardening and horticultural activities can lead to a more positive outlook on life. The psychological benefits, such as reduced anxiety and improved happiness, are aspects of gardening that I’ve also experienced in my life. My own garden has become a buffer between me and the outside world’s disarray.

Hobbies Foster Well-Being

Therapeutic effects of manual labor which involves dexterity, like knitting, stitching, or cooking, align with those found in gardening. These hobbies demand attention to detail, provide a sense of accomplishment, and offer opportunities for creativity and relaxation. They not only fill time but truly enrich the soul.

In my own life, these activities have become more than just hobbies; they are rituals that protect me. Whether I’m tending to my garden or creating something with my hands, I’m engaging in activities that give me a deep sense of tranquility and resilience. It’s a reminder that even though the world may feel out of control, there is peace to be found in the simple act of making things grow—be it plants, crafts, or our well-being.

Manual Labor and Well-Being

Even though the research mentioned above primarily focuses on gardening, the beneficial effects of manual labor involving dexterity can be inferred from them. This includes the therapeutic effects of physical activities that require focus and creativity. Activities like knitting, stitching, or making food share common features with gardening, such as attention to detail, a sense of accomplishment, and opportunities for creativity and relaxation. These aspects contribute to mental well-being and life satisfaction, research shows.

Hobbies Involving Dexterity

Hobbies that involve dexterity offer a fun and engaging way to spend time and improve one’s well-being. Below are some hobbies involving and improving dexterity. At the same time, they may create a sense of accomplishment and satisfaction.

1. Paper Folding (Origami): This art form requires precise hand movements and offers a creative outlet while improving fine motor skills.
2. Pottery or Spinning Clay: Working with clay on a pottery wheel or by hand sculpting can significantly enhance hand strength and coordination. It’s a creative process that results in tangible, useful art pieces.
3. Kneading Dough and Cooking: Making bread or other baked goods involves hand strength and dexterity. Plus, the reward of enjoying delicious homemade food adds to the sense of achievement.
4. Knitting, Crocheting, or Sewing: These crafts improve fine motor skills and offer a creative way to express oneself.
5. Finger Extension or Rubber Band Exercises: While not a hobby per se, incorporating these exercises can balance the hand muscles used in other dexterous activities, promoting hand health and flexibility.
6. Playing Musical Instruments: Learning to play an instrument like the piano or guitar not only enhances dexterity but also has been shown to improve cognitive functions and emotional well-being.
7. Calligraphy: The art of beautiful handwriting requires precise hand movements and concentration, offering a meditative-like focus that can be relaxing and fulfilling.
8. Video Games: Certain video games are designed to improve visual-motor coordination, precision, and fine motor skills, making them a fun and modern way to enhance dexterity.
9. Puzzles and Board Games: Engaging in puzzles or strategic board games like chess or Jenga can improve problem-solving skills and hand-eye coordination.
10. Gardening: Gardening involves various hand movements and tasks that can improve hand strength and agility. It also offers emotional satisfaction through nurturing and watching plants grow.

Summing up

Academic research supports the benefits of gardening and manual labor involving dexterity for mental health and well-being. These activities provide a sense of accomplishment and creativity and contribute to stress reduction, improved mood, and overall life satisfaction. Engaging in such activities can be a valuable part of a holistic approach to mental health and well-being.

References

1. Gardening and Mental Health: A meta-analysis published in the PMC – NCBI highlighted that gardening increases individuals’ life satisfaction, vigor, psychological well-being, and positive affect. It also noted that gardening activities have immediate and long-term effects on health, suggesting an important direction for future research to determine the relationships between the duration and frequency of gardening and health outcomes. Link: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5153451/
2. Therapeutic Community Gardening: A study published in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health explored the impact of therapeutic community gardening on the well-being, loneliness, and life satisfaction of individuals with mental illness. It found positive changes in loneliness and life satisfaction across the pandemic in individuals referred to therapeutic community gardening. Link https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/19/20/13166
3. Gardening for Health: An article in PMC – NCBI discussed the increasing evidence that exposure to plants and green space, particularly gardening, benefits mental and physical health. It emphasized gardening as a regular dose of health-promoting activity. Link https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6334070/
4. The Positive Effects of Gardening on Mental Health: Research highlighted by Texas A&M Today shows that participating in gardening and other horticultural activities gives people a more positive outlook on life. It outlined numerous psychological benefits of plants and gardening, including anxiety and stress reduction, decreased depression, improved happiness, and life satisfaction. Link https://today.tamu.edu/2022/05/18/the-positive-effects-of-gardening-on-mental-health/

Ewa Bergheim

Linguist, teacher, mentor and coach, nature and art lover.

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