Go green by gardening: growing your own food

In the midst of living a hectic life in a crazy world, sometimes you need to find a way to take time for yourself, and get your mind off of any anxiety provoking or stressful thoughts. And why not help the environment while you’re at it?

Numerous studies have discovered a significant number of mental health benefits that go along with gardening. Shown to reduce stress and anxiety, relieve symptoms of depression, and promote an overall happier state of mind, gardening is a hobby that everybody should pick up.

Proven through scientific studies, it is shown that getting your hands dirty can actually make you happier! Because of a certain type of bacteria found in soil, touching dirt can actually trigger the release of serotonin—which is the chemical that increases the feeling of elation, and acts as a natural anti depressant.

And while the world around us is often harmful to both our mental and physical states, humans aren’t exactly known for leaving the environment in the best condition either. But there’s a simple way to rectify the problem.

Rather than going to the local grocery store and buying products filled with GMO’s, pesticides, and numerous other harmful and unnatural chemicals, a healthier, more relaxing, and more eco friendly option is to try your hand at gardening. Gardening is beneficial to the environment in a number of ways including the conversion of carbon dioxide into oxygen and the lessening of fossil fuels used to transport produce.

Here are some great gardening options for every season:

Winter:

·      Garlic

·      Onion

·      Herbs

·      Peas

Fall:

·      Broccoli

·      Cauliflower

·      Blueberries

·      Radish

Spring:

·      Carrots

·      Spinach

·      Beets

·      Melons

Summer:

·      Corn

·      Cucumber

·      Tomatoes

·      Squash and Zucchini