Growing research suggests that urbanisation is paving the way for stress, anxiety, and mental health conditions. On the other side of the coin, regular exposure to nature can offer hope and health in this respect. That’s why landscaping and welcoming nature into your Home & Garden can be an excellent way to improve your general feelings of wellness.
If you are grappling with social issues, mental illness, or stress, then it might be time to consider strategic landscaping. Here’s what you need.
Water Features
If you are looking at improving landscaping for your mental health, then start with a water feature. As you’ll know by now, designing a swimming pool, pond, fountain, or a similar water feature can elevate any section. The sight and sound of flowing water make any yard akin to one from a home and garden magazine. However, it’s also beneficial for your mental health.
Marine biologist Wallace Nichols called it the blue mind effect. Whenever you’re near water – be it a pond, pool, stream, or fountain, you get a “blue mind”. Your brain starts to respond to self-awareness, positivity, empathy, and a sense of general happiness. Water has similar effects to meditation. Your catecholamine neurotransmitters recalibrate themselves to turn feelings of stress into a zen-like state.
Planting Trees
When you live in an urban area, depression and anxiety, risks tend to be relatively high. Especially if you compare the instances of mental illness to people who live near green spaces. Scientists are not yet sure whether happy people live near green areas or green areas create happy people. However, that doesn’t tend to matter. If you put people near nature, they are more likely to be happier for it.
In one study involving 541 vacant lots and surrounding residents, researchers measured mental health over 18 months. With new trees, trash clearing, landscaping, and maintenance, residents felt their depressive feelings were decreasing compared with those who had controlled lots with no changes. The study concluded that green space makes people feel better, which could be something clinicians could take note of for further research.
Plenty of Flowers
Even if your original landscaping plan didn’t include many flowers, it might be worth reconsidering when you discover the mental health benefits. Flowers can improve stress and anxiety, how well you sleep, your memory, and your emotions with colours. A 2015 study also found that 88 per cent of people involved felt their well-being improved every time they were able to tend to their gardens and get fresh air.
Mental health is a growing problem that affections millions of people globally. If you want to try anything that can make you feel better about yourself, then consider landscaping. Plant trees, tend to your garden and get expert help to create a pond. You never know what benefits may follow.