Budding New Beginnings

Down in the weeds? This Earth Day, plant a garden then watch your mental and physical health blossom. Here’s how to start.

- By Nina Hemphill Reeder

Is social distancing making you stir crazy? Well, you’re not alone (no pun intended). Through this period of quarantine, many Americans are experiencing a sense of detachment, boredom and loneliness—all of which can gravely impact your emotional and physical health. If you are feeling the social isolation blues, then consider going green. Plant a garden, which—just in time for Earth Day—might be the multifaceted fix you need.

“Lots of research shows that gardening can be a form of therapy to reduce depression and anxiety,” says Desiree Heimann, vice president of marketing at Pike Nurseries, one of the premier plant and garden centers in the Southeast. “The act of growing plants can help boost your mood and make you more hopeful for the future.”

Plus, gardening gets you outside and into nature—and another well-researched theory shows that things such as sunlight exposure and greater oxygen exchange have been shown to strengthen immunity, lower stress levels, improve sleep and more.