A Therapeutic Journey for Mental Wellbeing
In the whirlwind of daily life, snagging a moment of peace feels like trying to catch an Eastern Grey Tree Frog with your bare hands—tricky, but oh-so rewarding. Enter the unsung hero of tranquility and personal growth: gardening for wildlife. It's not just about making your backyard the envy of the neighborhood; it's a secret doorway to a zen state of mind, especially for those of us juggling the acrobatics of executive functioning challenges.
Gardening? For wildlife? You heard right. It's like hitting the refresh button on your mental browser, clearing the cache of stress and endless to-do lists. This isn't just about planting flowers and calling it a day. It's about creating a sanctuary that buzzes, flutters, and hops with life, and in turn, invigorates our own lives.
So, whether you're a seasoned green thumb or someone who thinks "perennial" is a new brand of water filter, diving into the world of wildlife gardening could be the game-changer you didn't know you needed. It's eco-friendly, it's fun, and yes, it's a tad snarky because let's be honest, those squirrels know exactly what they're doing.
Adventure doesn't always mean packing a bag; sometimes, it's just stepping outside.
The Healing Power of Nature
Dive into the wild side of gardening and let Mother Nature be your therapist. Do you ever feel like the hustle and bustle of life is getting to you? Well, you're not alone. Studies have shown that getting your hands dirty and your heart into gardening for wildlife can be just the chill pill we all need. In fact, it’s not just a stress reliever. According to a study published in Psychological Science, many different ways of interacting with nature were linked to improved cognitive function, including attention and memory. 1 For those of us juggling a million thoughts and struggling with organization, planning, and time management, the garden offers a kind of calm that can’t be beat. So why not turn that backyard, balcony, or windowsill into a wildlife wonderland? Let's get growing, and let nature do the soothing.
Sense of Achievement
Observing a garden thrive and lure in wildlife creates a sense of achievement and contentment. This sensation of triumph is a swift victory and mood lifter, but it is priceless for those who might encounter setbacks, annoyances, or receive negative feedback all too often, because of their struggles with executive functioning. It strengthens self-assurance, drive, and endurance, necessary virtues for navigating life's obstacles. Following a laborious day, nothing is better than spending time in a beautiful green space being drawn into the now by all of the sounds, smells and wildlife.
Physical Activity and Wellbeing
Gardening, like any other physical activity, can contribute to your general wellness and health. Not only can it be a fantastic way to expend energy, but it can also decrease stress levels and enhance the quality of your sleep. Additionally, physical activity, like gardening, helps in regulating significant neurotransmitters such as serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine, all of which are crucial for mood regulation, motivation, and pleasure. 2 Various activities from digging to clipping can be a great way to bring your mind into the now. If you like me paying attention to the here and now while moving is way more calming and relaxing than sitting with my legs crossed trying to not think of the million things running through my mind. Staying mobile, whatever that may look like for you, is good for both your body and mind.
Environmental Connection
Speaking of a sense of achievement... turning your garden into a haven for wildlife is like hitting the eco-jackpot. You're not just making your space look good; you're doing good, too. It's about more than just feeling great because your petunias are popping or your carrots are crunching. It's that warm, fuzzy feeling of knowing you're part of something bigger, that you're stitching your patch into the vast tapestry of nature.
Let's be real, becoming BFFs with Mother Nature in your own backyard is the ultimate win-win. You get a front-row seat to the coolest show on Earth (who needs Netflix when you've got nature's drama unfolding right outside?), and the planet gets a little love in return. And isn't that something to be proud of?
Being a life-long learner, I've realized that my garden is an endless classroom. I've been trekking through the same greenery for years, yet every day is a new discovery – a bug I've never seen, a plant that's decided to pop up uninvited, or a bird that's dropping by for a visit. It's a reminder that adventure doesn't always mean packing a bag; sometimes, it's just stepping outside.
So, let your curiosity roam free. Next time you spot something new, dive into the rabbit hole of discovery. Find out what it is, how it lives, and why it's decided your garden is the place to be. Then, pass that knowledge on. Sharing what you've learned not only spreads the joy but might just inspire someone else to start their own eco-journey.
Together, we can weave a web of backyards that are buzzing, fluttering, and blooming with life. And who knows? Maybe we'll make the world a little better, one garden at a time.
Tips for Gardening with Executive Functioning Challenges
For individuals facing executive functioning challenges, here are some practical tips to make gardening more accessible and enjoyable:
Start Small: Begin with a manageable garden area or even just one or two potted plants to avoid feeling overwhelmed. Start with one type of plant and add more as you start to feel your confidence grow.
Use Visual Aids: Label your plants (used popsicle sticks work great!), create visual schedules or reminders for gardening tasks such as checking soil moisture, store your gardening tools and items in one, easy to get to location.
Break Tasks Into Steps: Divide gardening tasks into smaller, manageable steps to enhance focus and productivity. Knowing step one will always be to check the soil moisture will prevent overwhelm. Write down the necessary tasks on an index card and keep it with your gardening supplies/tools.
Establish Routines: To provide structure and consistency, while reducing decision-making stress, add an observation habit to one of your existing habits. For example, during my morning routine of making coffee and letting the dog out, I added walking around my yard to observe my plants. Now, it’s just another part of my morning routine and the only mental energy I exert is if I notice a plant that needs attention.
Practice Patience: Gardening is a journey, not a race. Embrace mistakes as learning opportunities, experiment often and celebrate progress along the way.
Use Your Senses: The best part about gardening is the physical act of it. Paying attention to smells, feels and looks will bring a deeper connection to nature as well as ground your mind and thoughts.
Click below to download a PDF version of Tips for Gardening with Executive Functioning Challenges.
Foot Notes:
Study: Berman, M. G., Jonides, J., & Kaplan, S. (2008). "The cognitive benefits of interacting with nature." Psychological Science, 19(12), 1207-1212.
Neurotransmitters are chemical messengers that transmit signals between neurons (nerve cells) in the brain and throughout the nervous system. They play a crucial role in communication within the brain and between the brain and other parts of the body. Neurotransmitters are released from on neuron and bind to receptors on another neuron, influencing various physiological and psychological functions.
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