Gardening v/s dancing: Which is better for your mental health?
What's the story
Gardening and dancing are two activities that are often touted for their mental health benefits. Both provide unique ways to engage the mind and body, giving you respite from stress and anxiety. While gardening helps you connect with nature, promoting relaxation and mindfulness, dancing gets you moving, boosting your mood through the release of endorphins. Here, we explore how each activity contributes to mental well-being (without concluding which is better).
#1
The calming effect of gardening
Gardening has calming effects on the mind. In fact, working with plants can lower stress levels by 30% (some studies say so). The responsibility of nurturing plants gives a sense of accomplishment, which can boost self-esteem. Further, being outdoors in natural light helps regulate sleep patterns by enhancing serotonin levels in the brain.
#2
Dancing as a mood enhancer
Dancing is one of the best ways to improve mood, and it is largely because it is physical. It raises heart rate, and releases endorphins, the brain's natural painkillers and mood elevators. Regular dancing can reportedly lower symptoms of depression by as much as 20%. The social element of dancing also opens up opportunities to connect with others, further boosting emotional health.
#3
Mindfulness through gardening practices
Gardening promotes mindfulness by requiring your undivided attention to focus on tasks like planting or weeding. This has a way of keeping you rooted to the moment, and it prevents you from mulling over negative thoughts or worrying about the future. Mindfulness has been scientifically proven to reduce anxiety levels by a great deal when practiced consistently over a period of time.
#4
Social connection in dance communities
Dance communities provide a supportive environment to connect with people who share similar interests. Group dance classes or events provide a sense of belonging and community support, which is important for mental well-being. These interactions help build social networks which lend emotional support during difficult times.