Gardening Nourishes The Soul
Gardening Nourishes the Soul
No matter what responsibilities I have, whether caring for the kids or getting some work done, I always feel at a loss when I haven’t spent time in my garden. I say “spending time” because it doesn't feel like work for me. Gardening and being in nature is nourishment that my soul calls out for. That yearning from deep within which pulls me to care for my seeds, to quench the thirst of my seedlings, to help my tomato plants grab onto a trellis and climb high. The feeling of the sun warming my skin welcomes me to where the birds meet and dance around, making dhikr and pronouncing gratitude for all around them. Don’t get me wrong; gardening is work. But it is work that feeds and nourishes the soul.
13 Reasons why I love gardening:
It is very meditative; you can be in your head, calming and peaceful. You are in a beautiful zone after a busy working day, where I have been staring at my computer, driving in traffic, dealing with difficult people, and checking off everything on my to-do list. By the time I get home, not only is my workday complete, but my stress level has gone through the roof. There is nothing better I would love to do than drop everything, put on my dirty gardening shoes and grab my shovel, and head for my yard. Five minutes into the activity of gardening, my stress level drops, most likely by about 90%. Why does this happen? We are working out the right side of our brain, everything that has to do with comforting, soothing & nourishing your body and soul. We allow the left side of the brain to relax and let the right side of the brain take over. You are breathing the fresh air, you're taking in all that sunlight, and you are allowing your brain to slow down, which is something it usually does not do because of the world in which we live.
A great escape and release- If something is bothering me, I put on my gardening shoe. It is a distresser. I feel cathartic after pulling weed after a good rain.
I love making my piece of the world beautiful- Allah swt has given us a piece of land to live in and most likely will ask us about it. Wouldn't it be wonderful to show Allah swt the beauty you have created with some soil and seeds? Take some before and after photos because you will be amazed.
When I was young, I was my mother's helper in her small garden. Every year after the frost of winter, we would turn and prepare the soil. Pick seeds to sprouts and have lovely discussions on what to plant. We sweated and worked hard daily and grew delicious food. Those memories will always stay with me.
I love to be outdoors. It doesn't matter the weather, and whether it is cold, breezy, or sunny and hot, I love spending time outdoors. The feeling of calm and being relaxed comes over me. The sun, fresh air, and vitamins are soothing and nourishing for the body.
To be communicating with nature. We have made our world a box and believe that this is all there is. We believe reality is the internet. We forget that there is a beautiful big world out there just waiting for us to enjoy it. Gardening gives a way to connect with nature, to appreciate the creation of Allah swt all around us.
Great way to bring out my creativity. When you have lost touch with creativity and doing something with your hands, it's nice to know you can make a huge difference just by planting a seed. Plus, you won't break your budget in doing so.
Suitable for the mind- Gardening helps you become more patient. You have your mind focused on something extraordinary and not all the nonsense you worry about.
The social aspect. I have met more of my neighbors while I have been gardening in my yard. Our lives are so busy, and the world is not how I grew up, where everyone was outdoors, and it was easy to meet your neighbors and get to know them. Nowadays, people tend to stay indoors, maybe because they are so preoccupied with the electronics which keep us entertained. But this makes it more difficult actually to get to know your neighbors.
Exercise. Gardening is good for your health. I would love to tell you how I work on my garden and all the chores that make it possible for you to build. So good for your flexibility, endurance, and balance when you move around to care for your garden. It builds bone density. For those 45 and above who are suffering bone loss, get out in the garden because it will do your body good. My mother gardens and may not be the healthiest person in the world as she is on some medication. But when I compare her attitude and stamina to others her age, I have to say she is almost always happy and has a beautiful outlook on life no matter what problems she may face. This says a lot about a person her age because most in her situation in their mid 70’s have almost given up on life.
It makes me stronger. Research has shown that there is a certain bacteria in the soil that helps increase your immune system. Many gardeners will tell you that they do not remember the last time they had a cold. Alhamdulillah, I am one of those people.
I sleep better. I get tired when I am out physically working hard in my gardening. Add that to my calm mindset, and I get a great night of sleep.
There is nothing like gardening. Research has proven that gardening and any mental aspect related to gardening are also helpful. You can keep away Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, ms, depression, anxiety - why? Because gardening is one of the few activities that can heighten all 5 of your senses.
Sight- just by sitting out in your gardening, you are using your company to see all the beautiful colors, especially green, which is so calming, the waterfall, the birds, bees, butterflies, etc.
Taste- anything that you grow in your garden tastes so much better because it is grown organically with love and patience. When we eat tomatoes, they become so delicious that we don’t even need salt with them. Each herb taste more intense and refreshing. And you only need a small amount in your salad to bring out the flavor. It’s also a plus to know that the herbs you consume have so many medicinal properties to help nourish you from the inside.
Smell- the beautiful scents of the herbs, flowers, the natural scent of dirt after it has rained, the scent of the bark of a tree, the fresh air which has no smell but is refreshing. All these scents are uplifting and refreshing.
Touch-with or without gloves, whatever you touch is rejuvenating to your body. Whether it is the dirt, the flower, the weeds, you are moved by connected with nature, the beautiful creation of Allah swt. And all your senses are getting enhanced.
Hear -you hear the beautiful birds chirping and the squirrels scurrying around after each other. You hear the wind and swaying of the leaves and trees. Just close your eyes and you will be lost in a world of bliss.
When you use your five senses all at once, all your mental circuitry begins to move and work at its highest potential.
Suppose you live in an apartment or condominium and don't have a yard to go to. There are community gardens that you can escape to. Get involved in your community garden, volunteer your time. If you can't get to your community garden, you can always grow houseplants or place a container filled with soil and some seeds in front of your door or balcony and grow something you love. You can still receive these fantastic benefits while living in your apartment. Ee
Benefits- Our culture tends to think that the only way to change your neurophysiology is through pharmaceuticals. Humans tend to ruminate. What is rumination? When your brain worries about something and you continue to worry about it. Working in the garden, benign, helps us get away from ruminating. Research has proven that people who walk in nature for 90 minutes vs. people who walk in an urban area found that those who walk in nature had decreased activity in their subgenual prefrontal cortex. This is the part of your brain which associates with anxiety and rumination. Playing in soil for 5 minutes will make your parasympathetic nervous activation change from flight-or-fight moves towards tend-and-befriend. Nature has profound impacts on our physical and mental health. Why is character able to get us out of rumination? Scientists say it has something to do with the emotion of awe. Awe is when you encounter vast things that are beyond your immediate frame of reference, that are mysterious in the sense that your current knowledge doesn't allow you to understand them, it changes the inner self, and all stimulates the imagination, and that's what we call wonder which is WOW how will I figure this out. This all sounds great, but I can’t exactly go to the Grand Canyon when I am being advised to stay home as much as possible. So what are ways that I can cultivate awe (subhanAllah) now? Slow down, be more present with your surrounding, and study flowers, plants, and leaves. Thousands of years ago, as we lived with nature, we became these scientists of nature. We recognized all the ecosystems and the complex processes. Studies have demonstrated that these intricate patterns that we see in nature, the symmetries, fractals reduce stress. They illustrate the idea of being a part of a whole. They help us direct our attention outward and think about how we fit into the larger life patterns. Suddenly the mind is connected to the beauty around you, and you are like, wow, I’m bigger, or I am part of this expanse. Gardening may not take away all your stress and anxiety, but the process will give you some perspective. When you feel stuck in one place or overwhelmed by things outside my control-refocusing your attention on the plants in my backyard reminds me that I am intrinsically in a more extensive process of growth and transformation. And even if that is happening in a small space like my front yard, it is incredible.
Studies show that we associate the color green in nature with happiness, hope, comfort, and peace. Bird songs uplift our spirits, and the sight of plants releases dopamine, a feel-good chemical for the brain.
Particular health problems and how plants and nature can help:
Headaches - can be caused by poor air. Indoor gardening or building a small box garden will help you a great deal
Stress- being active decreases stress levels. People with access to a garden have significantly few levels of stress than those who don’t. Activities like weeding, watering, planting. The arch of the water nourishing the plants is
Depression- can be caused by a variety of things and can impact people in different ways. It is a lasting feeling of helplessness. Be kind to yourself, especially when you have achieved something. taking care of a
How do I start a humble garden?
Start small. Pick 1 or 2 things to grow for example a tomato and an herb.
Get a suitable container with good drainage.
Get high-quality soil.
Place the container in a sunny place. If you live in an apartment you can place it behind a window.
Enjoy your gardening experience and allow it to nourish your soul. Please let us know how it goes.
Listen below for some more reasons to garden.
Click here: Listen to more reasons to garden