Life can be so busy and overwhelming at times. As you age, you might find it harder and harder to relax and reduce your stress levels. It is important to find hobbies and activities you enjoy to help relieve any tension you are experiencing. Gardening can be an extremely therapeutic exercise. Below are four reasons that this simple hobby can feel like the expensive therapy session you wish you could schedule every week.

1. Being Outside Reduces Anxiety

Anxiety and depression seem to plague almost everyone in modern society. Many people try CBD gummies, long hot baths, or essential oils to alleviate their moods. There are many helpful supplements and activities you can use to try and fight anxious feelings, but there is nothing quite as helpful as being in nature.

Gardening is a form of exercise which in general releases hormones that help boost your mood. When you throw in that bit of physical activity with being inside your body really gets a treat. Just being outside has been shown to make people happier, lower their blood pressure, and reduce overall stress levels.

2. Digging Relieves Frustration

It's totally normal to have some deep-rooted frustration or pent-up anger. Even though everyone feels that way sometimes, it is very important to your mental health to learn to release some of those feelings. Gardening provides an easy and accessible way to deal with those annoyances.

Gardening requires frequent digging, weeding, and sometimes pruning. All of these actions require a bit of extra sweat and effort. Digging a new hole for that hydrangea bush you have been wanting to plant will take quite a bit of force, so it is an excellent way to channel your anger.

3. Cultivating Plants Gives Control

When you have to care for a living organism you have to properly nurture it. You have to give it water, light, food, and some people even choose to talk to their plants and give them regular company. All of these actions put you in control of your garden. 

Sometimes parts of your life can feel completely out of control, so having a small plot of land that you take care of can feel extremely rewarding. For all the things you can't control, caring for your garden can reduce the feelings of being overwhelmed. Keeping your garden growing and beautiful can give you the satisfaction of control that you crave.

4. Playing in the Dirt Keeps You Grounded

The importance of feeling grounded can often be overlooked. It is easy to get caught up in the details of your life and lose touch with reality on occasion. Touching the earth and caring for your garden through different seasons and stages keeps you connected to the cycle of life. Being aware and coming to terms with life and death can be hugely beneficial to your mental state. 

Even after you have finished your gardening chores you can continue to spend time enjoying your hard work to continue reaping the benefits. Walk through your garden barefoot or find a grassy spot to lay on your back and watch the sky for a bit. These simple acts of playing in the dirt and connecting to the earth can be extremely beneficial to your mental health.

It is amazing that something so simple and ancient as gardening could be so helpful to reduce stress and lift your mood. If you are a gardener at heart, you know just how much seeing your precious flowers and plants thrive brings you a sense of joy and accomplishment. If you need extra therapy without the extra cost, you need definitely to think about adding gardening as your new hobby.