For some, wintertime signals the start of the holiday season. For others, it’s when they feel most vulnerable—feeling the “winter blues.” When you are sapped with energy, it can be challenging to become productive.
One activity that won’t take much energy but will leave you feeling refreshed and energised is gardening. This connection is due to the human instinct to connect with nature. A study by the University of Colorado Boulder showed that people who engaged in gardening experienced fewer symptoms of anxiety and depression.
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Gardening and Mental Health
Gardening can be a great way to connect with nature, which is critical for your health. Several studies have proven the effectiveness of gardening in improving one’s mental health. Here are some of them:
- Boosts mood: One study has found gardening promotes high emotional well-being (EWB), with results similar to walking and biking. The same study also found that EWB is the same regardless of when done alone or with a company.
- Enhances attention span: Gardening is great for keeping your focus. Doing outdoor activities, such as gardening, increases concentration and memory retention by 20 percent.
- Improves self-esteem: Growing a plant is a huge accomplishment. As such, it will boost your confidence knowing that you can grow and keep a plant healthy.
Tips for Building Your Garden as a Safe Haven
Here are some tips on creating the perfect outdoor space for unwinding after a hectic day at school or work.
Add a focal point
Your focal point could be anything. Ideally, it should be visible from a distance and not hidden in the corner of your garden. Focal points draw the attention of people who might otherwise pass by without noticing what you’ve done with your space.
A focal point may be something as simple as a plant that stands out against its surroundings. Whatever you decide, make sure that whatever you choose will stand out from other items in its surrounding area.
Garden art is one way of adding a focal point. Art can be functional, decorative, or both. Knowing how to choose art that will work in your garden and make it feel like home is essential.
Allow for accessibility
Your garden will become your space if you can visit it regularly. Ensure that it’s highly accessible for you. If the path toward your garden is full of clutter, it may dissuade you from visiting often.
For example, you can build a path with pavers leading to the central garden. A clear path is a crucial part of making your garden safe. It can help you get to the spot, and it can also make maintaining it more manageable.
According to Aviara Pavers, a clear path made from gravel, bark chips, or paving stones is an excellent choice since they’re decorative and practical. You can place these paths alongside your garden bed, and they won’t damage plants or injure anyone.
If you’re looking for something more long-term, consider creating an attractive border around one side of your yard. Lay down large rocks or bricks between beds filled with flowers and other plants. It will give you or your guests an easy way into your garden.
Create areas of reflection and calm
The main idea of creating your haven is connecting with nature. Set aside an area where you can reflect and allow yourself to be one with nature. It should be a spot where you can ignite your senses.
Pro Tip: You can set your focal point as your reflection area. You can build a small pond or put up a water fountain.
Make it private
Privacy is important to many people and a feature you can achieve in your garden. You might want privacy to enjoy a moment alone or relax without worrying about being seen. There are several ways to accomplish this goal:
- Planting hedges and trees along the perimeter of your garden will help create a sense of isolation from the rest of the yard while still allowing sunlight into the area where you’ll be working or relaxing.
- Fencing off certain areas gives you a sense of privacy. It also keeps animals away from your plants. Fencing also prevents people from trespassing on your property. Not only that, it serves as a barricade between the wind and your plants.
- Lighting can also help create an isolated feeling within any given space.
Choose plants good for wildlife
It would also be excellent if you would make your garden a haven, not only for yourself, but for wildlife as well. When buying plants, choose those that will provide benefits for the environment.
For example, you can have the following:
- Pink tulips and blue lupines: These flowers help pollinators like bees find food
- Brown-eyed Susans: A favourite among hummingbirds
- Violets: These flowers are great for butterflies.
Start with plants that you can handle first. Once you get the hang of taking care of them, you can start exploring more plant species.
Install outdoor lighting
You can use lighting in several ways to help make your garden safer. Lighting can highlight plants or features, creating an attractive look that’s also functional.
For example, if you have a particularly tall plant that tends to get lost in the darkness. Installing lights on its branches will create contrast and make it easier to view them, even at night. The same applies if you want to highlight a focal point in your garden.
Illuminating walkways and patios in your garden will also afford some security. Garden lights also allow you to visit your haven late at night.
Put up a fence
A fence is a great way to create boundaries and keep animals out. Fences can also help you keep children in and keep people out of certain areas of your garden. It can even add some flair to the look of your space by creating a privacy wall.
If you’re looking for something durable yet elegant, estate fencing and railings are a classic choice. This type of fencing is designed to blend security with timeless design. It’s strong enough to protect your land and subtle enough to enhance the overall look of your garden, estate, or driveway.
Ask for advice from an expert
You’ve got a green thumb, but do you know how to keep your garden safe and your plants healthy? Whenever you’re unsure, don’t hesitate to ask for help from experts. You can:
- Ask a friend or family member who has experience gardening. They can help you start your garden. They may share tips based on their experience. If you’re lucky, they may share some plants with you.
- Visit a local nursery or garden centre. They usually have experts who can provide some helpful information about your plants. They can tell more about how much sun exposure plants need to thrive without getting burned. Likewise, they can give insight into properly caring for the plants, from drainage to proper use of soil.
Build Your Own Safe Haven
There are several factors to consider when building your garden as your haven. You must consider the space you have and your personal taste. It would be best if you got to implement what appeals to you.
It may seem intimidating and overwhelming to start it off. But it’s best to look up some ideas and plan accordingly. Also, it doesn’t hurt to get help—either for building your garden or for mental health.
Once you’ve started building your garden where you can be at peace, you’ll realize that all the trouble will be worth it. The most important thing is to get going and remember to have fun while you’re at it.