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Growing plants can help your physical and mental health

Posted at 7:06 PM, Apr 21, 2020
and last updated 2020-04-21 20:06:53-04

Many of us aren’t used to being cooped up inside our homes and often times we’re isolated. But, there’s away to ease the anxiety while obeying the shelter In place order.

While malls and retail stores remain empty, nurseries were able to keep their doors as a part of the agriculture industry, and this has caused a lot of people to discover a new hobby to pass the time.

Westview Nursery and Landscape owner Keith Houck says this is the busiest he has seen the nursery in a long time.

“People are just working in the yards probably five times more than they normally do, and probably five times as many people who normally don’t work in yards are working in yards so you know it’s just a crazy time,” said Keith Houck.

During the shelter in place order, people are enjoying spicing up their yard or caring for a house plant to pass the time.

“House plants, potted plants, that type of thing. A lot of them grow citrus with limes, lemons, and oranges, and pot it up and have there own patio type of garden as well,” said Keith Houck.

Gardening is also a fun project for the whole family stimulating creativity, teaching hard work, and teamwork to create a dream garden or fully bloomed potted plant.

“Once some people start it, you’ll see them bring in kids in here and children and then they get them started. And you’ll see them and ask them, ‘are you going to help your mom and dad?’ and they all say ‘yea’ and they’re excited about it,” said Keith Houck.

Not only does gardening provide physical activity, but according to Psychology Today it also has great benefits for individuals mental health.

Whether it be growing a garden or taking care of a house plant, it’s a fun way to have a piece of nature while we stay at home.