Garden Landscaping Psychology: How Your Outdoor Space Affects Your Well-Being
Your outdoor space not only improves the value and appearance of your home, but also improves your overall well-being. Studies have shown that spending just 20 minutes in nature can improve your well-being in many ways. Looking after your mental health and well-being is more important than ever. In this article, we will discuss the psychological benefits of garden landscaping and how your outdoor space can positively affect your well-being.
Boosts Your Mood
Have you ever felt better and happier after spending time in your outdoor space? It’s not surprising if you have, being outdoors and exploring nature can scientifically boost your mood. It exposes us to sunshine, which is a source of vitamin D. Vitamin D plays an important role in the production and release of serotonin, a hormone produced in the gut. It is released through the bloodstream and absorbed by platelets. One of its key functions in the body is to act as a brain neurotransmitter to influence happiness. In other words, the more time you spend in your outdoor space, generally the higher your serotonin levels!
Improves Your Mental Health
According to a study by the Mental Health Foundation, 45% of people in the UK (nearly half the population) said that visiting green spaces, such as parks, helped them to cope through the Covid-19 pandemic. Most people will also agree that the amount of time spent in our outdoor space increased during the pandemic. Although normality has since returned, being present in nature can still help people cope through other difficult times.
To support this, there is also scientific evidence that suggests being regularly supported by garden landscaping such as trees can reduce stress, anxiety and depression by decreasing levels of cortisol (known as the stress hormone). Not only can garden landscaping improve mental health, it can also improve general health by reducing blood pressure, boosting the immune system and promoting better sleep. Having your own outdoor space can ultimately lead to a happy and healthy life.
Connects You With Nature
Spending more time indoors can make us feel cooped up and confined, which is not good for anyone’s well-being in the long term. An outdoor space has a way of making us feel relaxed and grounded. It allows us to appreciate nature and interact with wildlife. Most people who spend time in their outdoor spaces or gardens often feel more inspired, creative and connected with nature. Whether it’s just walking around or gardening in your outdoor space, nature itself can also bring us a sense of belonging to a larger community, which can be associated with a better quality of life.
Spruce Up Your Outdoor Space With Abingdon’s Complete Garden Services
We could discuss more ways on how your outdoor space can affect your well-being, but you can experience these for yourself in your own outdoor space or garden. Ask yourself, what has your outdoor space done for your well-being? Maybe you enjoy gardening or sitting out on your decking. However, you don’t need to have a large outdoor space to achieve the same benefits above. Decorating your balcony or patio with plants is a great alternative.
If you’re located in Abingdon, or a surrounding area and you’re looking to spruce up your outdoor space or garden this summer with high-quality garden landscaping, then get in touch with your local garden landscaping company, Abingdon’s Complete Garden Services. Perhaps, you want to keep on top of your garden maintenance, install new fencing, water features, or go the distance with a practical yet stylish pergola or decking area.
Have a browse through our gallery to see our great work for yourself. For a free quotation, please get in touch by calling us on 01235 533193. We would be more than happy to work with you and bring your outdoor space vision to life!