Let me start this article by saying that spending time with nature only benefits one gender. Of course, everyone alike enjoys the healing effects and other benefits of mother nature. Nonetheless, it cannot be denied that the relationship between women and nature is something hardwired.
In fact, one of the branches of ecofeminism, cultural ecofeminism, points out the intimate relationship between women and nature. It is pointed out that this relationship stems from women’s gender roles and biological makeup. Cultural feminism takes its roots from nature-based religions and the worship of goddesses.
From reaffirming your love for life to improving your physical and mental well-being, there are myriad benefits from gardening. Here are a few of these things.
1. Reinforces Your Love for Life
Life begins at forty, they say. Studies, and even practical experience, tell that once women reach the age of 40 and above, they tend to feel disconnected from themselves. This phenomenon is popularly termed a “midlife crisis.”
When someone experiences a midlife crisis, such person feels a sense of hopelessness in the prospect of something new. But with gardening, they can reaffirm such loss of faith in their purpose in life. Gardening gives hope to someone that it is never too late to begin afresh and start a new passion and endeavor.
As long as you set your mind to it, you can always direct your life to a new path. When you tend your lawn or start a garden, you give time and energy to building something worthwhile.
2. Helps You Keep in Touch With Your Emotion
It is not exaggerating when we say that being a woman is overwhelming. As Meredith Brooks said in one of her songs, “I’m a little bit of everything all rolled into one.” Being a woman means fulfilling different roles and responsibilities.
As a woman, you can be a wife, a mother, a sister, a daughter, and a friend. Women have to juggle family life and career. When life demands so much, it can get overwhelming eventually. This can take a toll on our emotional and mental health.
While stress management is trial-and-error and different for each individual, we can all agree that gardening can provide effective stress relief. Isn’t the thought of admiring your greenery while enjoying a cup of arvo tea under your insulated patio roof a lovely sight?
3. Nurtures Personal Growth
It is said that the best indicator for growth is being in touch with nature. Gardening teaches you patience. You learn that time, effort, and diligence can grow a tiny seed into a beautiful plant.
Women who engage in gardening can apply this practical lesson in their lives. It teaches them to trust and faith in growth. Women learn that it is never too late to grow at any age and stage in their lives.
Though it may sound initially absurd, if you think about it, you will understand its value when you sit back and think about it. Thus, gardening is one of the most efficient ways to help women regain their self-confidence.
4. Improves Your Physical Health
We can never overlook the physical health benefits of gardening. One obvious reason women, especially those in their 40s and above, should start this hobby is that this activity provides a great exercise that moves every part of your body.
As you trim and mow the grasses or tend the soil, you move around quite often. In a sense, gardening is an excellent alternative to hitting the gym. You are hitting two birds (or more) with one stone. While gardening helps beautify your yard and lawn, you get to work out too.
5. Reduces Symptoms of Anxiety and Depression
Having too much on your plate can be detrimental to your health. While it is true that most women can juggle a successful career and family life, it can get overwhelming at times. Sometimes, women even forget to enjoy their “me” time.
Being inundated day in, day out with an equally heavy workload at home and in the office could lead to serious mental health concerns such as anxiety and depression.
But by engaging in gardening, one is given a chance to relax and be more attuned with oneself and nature. As mentioned, nature provides healing and nourishment to your soul. In a sense, gardening helps you have a sense of renewed zest to handle multiple roles in life.
A Way of Giving Back to Nature
Gardening is also seen as a way of saying “thank you” to mother nature. Aside from helping with the aesthetics of your home exterior, this hobby helps keep the balance in nature.
