Credit: Maddie Zajac

WSPN’s Maddie Zajac discusses her thoughts on the benefits of gardening.

The secret to happiness, restfulness and overall health is actually something much more simple than some may realize. Not only is gardening a relaxing and accessible hobby for all, but it can also benefit a person financially, physically, mentally and spiritually.

The truth is that only home-grown produce can be 100% healthy. Even if you follow all the healthy diets from the internet or only buy the “all-natural” food products from the grocery store, these aren’t going to be nearly as healthy as planting your own. Fortunately, planting can be easy and serve numerous advantages to your lifestyle.

Physically, gardening can do so much good for your body. It can relieve soreness and build muscle while helping your mobility and balance. There are also a number of vitamins that you can receive while planting, like vitamin D from the sunlight. Not to mention, fresh air alone is refreshingly healthy and relaxing.

By planting, you are also creating a much healthier and more balanced diet for yourself. Homegrown plants are proven to be up to 100% more nutritious and are higher in antioxidants and vitamins than plants from local grocery stores. But most importantly, if you stick to gardening, you will forever have the satisfaction of knowing exactly where your food came from.

Not only can planting your own garden grow you beautiful flowers, produce and herbs, but it can also benefit your ecosystem. A home garden can be a habitat for insects, birds and other animals. Connecting with nature through gardening can be one of the best ways to achieve fulfillment.

Additionally, gardening is also one of the best ways to support your mental health, as it boosts a person’s serotonin levels and stabilizes their mood. Gardening is amazing for stress or anxiety, as it diverts a person’s attention and focuses it on a soothing and meaningful effort. Hobbies are known to be one of the best ways to help depression, and I believe that gardening is one of the most calming and satisfying hobbies out there. Furthermore, studies have shown that gardening can help reduce risk of dementia by more than 45%.

Financially, planting can take some extra preparation and time, but it won’t cost you any more money than you would spend on your weekly produce from grocery stores. If done correctly, gardening can not only save money that you would have spent on groceries, but it can also produce enough fresh and sustainable fruits and vegetables to support your entire family.

Although it can take some extra time and might not be the most appealing activity to teenagers, I highly recommend that students try gardening at least once. The pride that a person gets from growing and eating their own food can’t be understated.

If everyone grew their own vegetables and crops, no one would have to worry about pesticides, preservatives or chemicals that are essentially poison entering the body. So, if you have the extra time or are looking for a hobby to pick up, gardening might not be the worst option to choose.