All of us are familiar with depression. It is something we heard most of the time. While some of us describe it as an invisible illness, we need to understand that it is not just about having a rough day. It is not just about feeling tired or sad, either. It is also not about the lack of control over things around us. Depression is much more than those things that we can never imagine. And for most of us who are struggling to fight it, the signs and symptoms can be very overwhelming to take. Sometimes, it feels like everything about it can pop up out of nowhere. Let’s talk about some of the unnoticeable signs of depression you should watch out for.

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Irritability – Yes, depression is not only about sadness, loneliness, and restlessness. In some instances, it can also relate to irritability and annoyance, especially with the people around us. It somehow makes us respond quickly to anger whenever they did something we do not like in particular. As a result, we end up lashing out that agitation to the ones close to us. We validate the lack of energy and motivation because we believe that there are so many things to be upset about. That explains why we say things we often don’t mean and physically, emotionally, and mentally hurt the ones we love.

Body Aches – We all think that depression only affects our emotional and mental well-being. But unfortunately, it does something bad for our physical health as well. Depression can make us feel achy. That particular state is what we call a psychosomatic symptom. It is where our depression manifests its damage through muscle pain and tightness. It gives us body pain that can eventually become acute or chronic. There is an overwhelming sense of restlessness that somehow makes us feel unwell all the time. In some unfortunate instances, physical symptoms of depression include joint pain, fatigue, gastrointestinal issues, back pain, appetite change, and psychomotor activity problems.

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Lack Of Self-Care – Often, it becomes normal that we ignore taking care of ourselves. We have this mentality that since no one cared about it, why do we have to? But that particular lack of self-care can mean so much more than just not wanting to take a shower or not cleaning our hair. In unfortunate situations, lack of self-care becomes a reflection of depression. That even the simplest task that provides benefits to our physical well-being is entirely hard to keep up. We know it is depression when it affects our ability to function, and lack of self-care is not exempted from that.

Inability To Focus – Depression is often described as the condition that can make a huge difference in our lives. It makes us more irritable, which affects our ability to focus. Even if we try our best to understand things, it is still impossible to go deep into the meaning of what is happening around us. It causes a debilitating situation that makes us feel like we are stupid. Depression relates to focus because it makes things even difficult, especially when dealing with work, school, chores, and other responsibilities.

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Inability To Express – Sometimes, we connect silence to meditation because we see it as a sign of mind and body’s interconnection. However, silence can also become part of a negative reaction to things. It can relate to depression because it can hinder us from telling others about thoughts and emotions. Silence can make us hold something deep within our soul that we can’t explain. It can make us feel hopeless and helpless. It makes us not want to express ourselves even if things are confusing. As a result, we either burry or overthink everything.

Humiliation – It is pretty much normal to feel embarrassed, especially when we know we have done something wrong. However, humiliation can represent a different meaning when it gets overboard. Depression relates to it when it becomes a negative depiction we instill about ourselves. It is where we believe that there is always something wrong with us and that we are broken. It always takes our ability to love ourselves and rob us of our motivation. In some instances, that humiliation we feel makes it impossible for us to see the good left in us. As a result, we stick to the idea that we are not going to get better.

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Insight

When we are depressed, it is common for us to feel that we are not worth saving. That no matter how hard we improve ourselves, we will always end up hating ourselves for trying. But that negative thought should end there. We all deserve something better for our physical, emotional, and mental health. We should not let depression control our lives. If we need help, we have to seek it. We don’t have to embrace mental illness because there are still things that we can do.

During these quarantine days, almost a lot of people find themselves busy with a lot of things. There are those who attend online classes to learn new skills. Some are practicing their dancing, singing, and cooking talents. Basically, everyone is busy minding their stuff during the lockdown. But one of the most viral on the list of “things-to-do” is all about urban planting. Let’s try and check out some information about why most people are hooked into putting dirt into their hands.

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What Is Urban Planting?

Urban planting or farming is the process of growing produce in the backyard. It does not require a massive amount of land since most of the products are put in pots, empty bottles, and enough-size basins or containers. It does not require a more extensive food system because it only serves the purpose of the owners’ food consumption.

Is Urban Planting And Community Gardening The Same?

A lot of individuals get confused with these two. But the thing is, these are different. Urban planting, as mentioned above, only serves the purpose of providing produce for the owner’s sole sharing and consumption. At the same time, community gardening supports a level of commerce. There is a commercial activity involved in community gardening because its production depends on sales outlets. Meaning, the crops or produce can be sold to a restaurant, local markets, and other food establishments that might require supply.

Now that you can identify the difference between the two, you can proceed to your family’s guide to urban plating.

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Learn The Basics Of Urban Planting – It is vital to learn a lot about urban planting before you and your family indulge in it. You need to understand the process of growing each type of product and the right amount of attention you have to put in it. It would help if you learned the things to use as well the alternatives in case of an item’s lack of availability. You need to recognize the significance of following a routine, completing things on schedule, organizing, or putting everything in a designated place. Also, you have to practice improving your patience, tolerance, and perseverance.

Know What You Want To Put In Your Garden – Any horticultural task can become quite overwhelming when you don’t know and understand what to do. With that, it would be best if you start by listing all the things you want to put in your garden. From your list, narrow down the difficulties and complications your produce might experience in the long run. But if you’re going to cut that particular selection process, you can start by growing some easy-to-grow products. Not only it saves you some decision-making time, beginning with the essential plants can help you learn the dos and don’ts of urban planting through experience.

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Never Plant More Than What You Can Accommodate – One specific mistake that many urban planting beginners make is putting a lot in their garden. That is regardless of their availability to accommodate everything in it. To avoid that mistake, you should revisit your garden area and plan for the location of the product you will plant. That way, you won’t have to deal with issues regarding loss of effort, time, and money. When you know your capability, set of schedules, and garden parameter, you will never have to plant what you cannot accommodate.

Do Not Spend Too Much – It is normal to get excited about urban planting, especially when you know that there are tons of benefits to it. However, it would be best if you recognized that being too overwhelmed with trying new things might become a problem. There is a tendency that due to a lack of planning and understanding, you might end up spending too much money on the trial and error process. You might buy unnecessary things for your urban garden. You might purchase too little or too much of what you entirely need. It would be better not to spend cash prematurely unless you know what to do.

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Seek Help If You Must – Despite learning a lot of things and trying to make your way through the experience, there would be a lot of complications along the way. There are still too many urban planting issues that will stress you out. That is okay. You don’t have to do it alone. Seek help if you must. Ask someone to help you on your urban planting journey and allow them to assist you until you can manage it alone. Asking for assistance will cause no harm. You just have to admit that you are in the process of improving yourself.

Takeaway

Urban planting is an experience that you and your family can enjoy. Aside from growing your own food, you also benefit from its emotional and mental health effects. In case you are up for it, try considering these guidelines.

It’s been a tough couple of months since COVID-19 hit earlier this year, driving citizens into their homes for safety. Governments and employers have mandated workers to work from home if their work permits.

Being cooped up at home may still be stressful, especially during these times. But rest assured you can surely brighten up the place with these small graces – houseplants! 

Access to freeing fresh air and lush greenery may be limited if you’re living in the city. You also know how important it is to bring nature closer to home. If you aren’t so familiar with what indoor plants can do for you during this pandemic, read on to learn more.

Houseplants Help Improve Health

According to Dr. Bill Wolverton, PhD of NASA, “If man is to move into closed environments, on Earth or in space, he must take along nature’s life support system.” And he couldn’t be any more correct, and houseplants can help us improve our health and living conditions.

• Plants As Natural Air Purifiers

In another study, researchers discovered that even if we’re home, it is not as pollutant-free as we think. On the Sick Building Syndrome, concentrated toxic elements from synthetic materials cause people to fall ill. They manifest in allergies, rashes, respiratory problems, etc.

We need to prep our house with the protection it needs. Due to pollution, different molds, viruses, and toxin emissions mix into the air. These substances have harmful components such as benzene, formaldehyde, xylene, toluene, trichloroethylene. The old wall paint, rubbers, vinyl, computer parents, and plastic you find at home releases these harmful compounds into the air we breathe.

Fortunately, houseplants can absorb these and breakdown the components into gentle byproducts. As they do this process, they can also store the byproducts into their soil for food.

• Minimizes Fatigue, Sore Throats, And Colds

Another bonus for having indoor plants around is an improvement in staff attendance as workers have taken less sick leaves. It is these times we realize how important it is not to skip a day of work.

With plants around the house, they raise the air’s humidity by spraying moisture vapor into the air. Improved humidity can keep us away from respiratory issues like dry coughs and sore throats.

Boost Cognitive Performance And Mental Health

This next point on the significance of houseplants is also as crucial as cleaner air. Plants can help improve your mental well-being, an essential health factor to consider these days.

• Work Productivity And Concentration Benefits

As we merge work environments into our homes, we need to create a space that is also conducive to productivity. Studies have proven a person’s work performance increases due to the presence of indoor plants as opposed to having lean workspaces devoid of greenery.

According to a study in 2014, supplementing a space with plants increases productivity by 15%. This favorable productivity is due to workplace satisfaction. Employees reported they have also experienced more prolonged periods of concentration.

• A Houseplant Reduces Stress

Having a patch of green around the house can help ease your mind from anxiety and worry. Stress recovery is one of the essential functions of indoor plants.

Even having passive involvement with your plant, like only having it close like on a desk, resulted in lowered anxiety. Interactions with plants such as gazing at it or tending to them have calming effects on stressed-out people.

Improves Creativity And Emotional Well-Being

• Indoor Plants Have Aesthetic Appeal

Plants are natural on the eyes. Their vibrant green colors spruce up your dingy condominium into a relaxing haven. Urban dwellers have been raving on about their houseplant ideas. Artistic folks find the opportunity to be creative with their decorative and fashionable little greens.

• Plants Are Friends

If you’re living alone in the city during this difficult time, a houseplant may be the next best thing after a pet. It’s a living thing that requires attention, too, probably not as much as a spirited dog. Redirecting your nurturing energy on something other than yourself and work helps combat loneliness and worry.

Being cooped up at home, forced to work where you rest, and disconnected from physical interactions during this pandemic is challenging. Gardening has been used as a pastime for senior citizens as the activity gives them a renewed sense of purpose.

One helpful way to make our space feel warm, alive, and relaxing is to spruce it up with a vibrant houseplant. Their presence boosts the room’s aesthetics, and they also have positive effects on our home’s air quality and psychological well-being.

Living plants can do a great job cleaning up the indoor air we breath — and they’re also great for our mood, and much more. — Sally Augustin Ph.D.

Aside from the aesthetic beauty that indoor plants give, there is more to it that you might not know. Plants are way better than just a design in your home because it provides significant benefits in your physical, emotional, as well as mental needs. Let’s take a closer look at how indoor plants can ensure that overall beneficial stuff.

The Benefits

• Well, perhaps you already know that plants produce oxygen in exchange for the absorption of carbon dioxide. The particular process is what our mind and bodies should entirely appreciate. But you might not know that plants can also absorb toxins. It includes low-level of toxins that could be lingering in our homes such as chemicals like formaldehyde and benzene.
• Research shows that a room filled with plants has a 50% to 60% chance of getting airborne microbes. Meaning, the chances of getting unwanted substances in the air is less likely to occur when indoor plants are present in a room. So things not visible to the naked eyes such as bacteria and mold spore are some samples of those microbes.

Having a room with a view of nature or indoor plants can help reduce nervousness, anxiety, and tension. — Tchiki Davis, Ph.D.

• Indoor plants are excellent in increasing the air’s moisture and humidity. Interestingly, a research conducted in the University in the US notes that house plants help in decreasing dry skin, cold, dry cough, and cases of flu. Thus, having plants can help in controlling the necessary temperature a human body requires.
• It gets proven that indoor plants are useful when it comes to healing. They are medicines for the body. There was a study that shows indoor plants allow better blood pressure, and lower incidence of pain. It is as if indoor plants can remove the negative energy from the human’s physical body. People believe that indoor plants allow a better healing time as well compared to those patients’ who are not around any types of plants.
• Indoor plants help improve any space, room, and environment. It works in mysterious ways of allowing people to become more productive. That is because the whole idea will result in the feeling of being just like outside and in nature. It will enable a sense of peace and clarity, which is beneficial in fulfilling daily tasks.

It is our relationship and our experience with the plants that that charge the treatment. — Aylee Welch, LICSW

Since indoor plants make us feel comfortable and happy, it gets proven that it reduces stress and anxiety. It can regulate mood as it keeps good energy inside a room. In some cases, it helps in concentration and improves memory retention by up to 20%. It also allows a better cognitive function.

Well, planting trees may not be as convenient as is used to, but there is still another way to control the greenhouse effect. If we start taking care of our environment and allow indoor plants in our home, not only we get to experience the above benefits, but we will also have a chance to appreciate our effort in keeping our mind and body healthy. It is not too late to start putting indoor plants in your home. You should consider it.

I know a lot of you will agree with me that we are now in the stage where we no longer care about the Earth. With all the benefits and convenience we get from technology, we seldom look at the damages we have caused nature. We ignore the world’s health because we are too focused on our eagerness to live in a hassle-free life. But do we deserve it? In case you do not know, let me inform you that the largest forest in the world, Amazon, experience a fire for about a week. There is the destruction of trees and deaths of thousands of animals. But, we humans are silent about it. Perhaps some things genuinely require a chance. If it is something that all of us are concerned with, maybe we can start doing a couple of little things that will significantly impact our future needs.

Scientific research tells us that green leafy plants help boost our mood. If there are nearby plants, we also seem to get along better with others. — Sally Augustin Ph.D.

Planting A Tree

There are a lot of reasons why we need to plant trees. Not only we have to save and preserve the Earth, but we also need to defend it for future generations’ consumption. That is because trees are our source of life. Without trees, we will have problems sustaining better health. So let’s process the idea and significantly think about its benefits.

Herbs can play a major role in supporting a person’s entire system to meet the demands placed on it while undergoing a difficult change process. — Aylee Welch, LICSW

The Benefits

Trees combat climate change. Imagine the buildup of harmful chemicals in the atmosphere. These include pollutants such as ammonia, nitrogen oxides, sulfur dioxide, and odors. It is devastatingly dangerous. We humans need something that will absorb that harmful stuff. And trees are the only things that can do that. They are capable of storing and removing carbon in the air while releasing oxygen back to us.

Trees provide shading, and that is the reason why they are the best materials for our homes. But we only focus on building and not replacing them. Soon we will end up making our homes without it. Trees are also responsible for keeping our surroundings well-ventilated. That is because they can conserve energy. They reduce carbon dioxide and other sources of chemical pollutions and emissions.

Getting in nature and under trees can lower cortisol (the stress hormone), lower blood pressure, and boost parasympathetic activity (the rest and digest system). — Tchiki Davis, Ph.D.

The best part of trees existence is its ability to save water. As they transpire, trees increase the level of atmospheric moisture leaving the Earth in its cool and stable condition. It also helps in preventing water pollution by reducing runoffs that could carry pollutants in the water. It can act like a sponge where trees filter water naturally. Aside from that, trees are beneficial in recharging groundwater supplies.

The one thing that humans should be thankful for is trees ability to produce food. That is not only for humans but for the animals as well. So imagine if we cut them off without the concern of replacing each of them, we are trying to diminish the number of possible resources that allows us to live abundantly.

It is a no brainer question of why we need to plant trees. The genuine struggle here is answering where and how we should do it.

Gardening can be both rewarding and exhausting. Depending on the person, the motivation and passion of doing it require a significant amount of consideration. As for me, I love gardening because I find myself enjoying everything about it. Yes, I get to feel exhausted sometimes, but that is not enough reason for me to quit spending my time in my garden. Why is that? Well, here are my personal reasons for loving gardening so much.

We forget we are of the natural world. This approach does not understand that symptoms are only a small part of what really needs our attention. — Aylee Welch, LICSW

It Gives Me Peace

When I am gardening, I can set my mind to only one thing – finish what I am doing. Not only it does keep me concentrated, but it also allows me to have a sense of awareness on things that surround me. Everything feels light and comfortable. It is as if the whole process of managing and organizing my plants and flowers are the best things I can do every day. There is this positive energy that pulls me away from the emotional and mental toxicity. There is too much peace everywhere, and I can say that I pretty much love it because I know I deserve that moment of silence.

It Makes Me Happy

Nothing makes me happier when I am alone with my plants. I get to witness their growth. It makes me appreciate life and the wonder of God’s creation. I feel entitled to live fully with no hesitations and full of confidence. The whole process of gardening makes me happy because I enjoy the task of taking care of something. It feels like serving my purpose on doing things for the betterment of my emotional and mental health. It makes me appreciative of my existence because I know I am contributing something good, not only for other people and me but as well as the environment.

Getting your hands dirty, weeding, and planting can feel calming, almost like a meditation. Plus it puts you in contact with soil (which is good for your microbiome), boosts your levels of vitamin D (from the sun), and exposes you to fresh air. — Tchiki Davis, Ph.D.

It Releases My Stress

Not only I can manage my day, enhance my skills, and be with my plants; I can also care for my mental health when I am gardening. It helps in releasing my stress, and I feel a lot comfortable with myself. There is this enhancement in my mood as well, which allows me to understand each of their differences. Gardening allows me to control my thoughts and feelings without depriving myself of releasing what I should feel and think as of the moment. It is more of enhanced control over my mind, body, and soul. Every time I talk to the plants and rant about something, I tend to feel out of burden. It seems like magic but being surrounded by the beauty of nature makes me feel so much okay.

Feeling good around plants is probably not surprising. After all, we surround ourselves with plants during celebrations and tragedies (i.e., weddings and funerals, respectively). — Jonathan S. Kaplan Ph.D.

Some of these reasons may or may not be the ones some people have. But for me, these are the best I can get from gardening. Yes, I get dirty, stinky, and exhausted at times, but that is entirely okay. I love gardening for it is the best reason that keeps in safe emotionally, physically, and mentally. You should try it more often and experience the greatness it can provide.

Have you ever wonder how some other people maintain their enthusiast in gardening while suffering from a mental illness? Have you ever thought about their gardening methods that keep up with their anxiety and depression? For sure, you already know that gardening has a lot of benefits. But what are the specifics of maintaining the energy in the process when it comes to its relation to mental health? Let’s find some inspiration in this article.

Community gardens not only provide fresh food uncontaminated by plastic or other chemicals—they can help reduce feelings of depression. Whether it’s through the act of gardening, the social support of the community, or just getting outside, community gardens are a great plant-driven tool to boost well-being. — Tchiki Davis, Ph.D.

Mental health is an entirely great subject, especially when people get focused on dealing with it at any cost. But what genuinely takes most attention is keeping its momentum. You see, some people, even if they know things are better for them, they often experience losing the interest in continuing what they have to do. Perhaps that is because some of the emotional and mental struggles they have become too much to bear. With that, instead of pushing forward, they take a moment of silence and pause. And not knowing that the split second of not doing anything can damage everything significantly.

Gardening As A Sense Of Duty

Perhaps the most fundamental reasons why other people can maintain their enthusiasm in gardening are because they look at it as a sense of duty. Some mentally ill people do not see gardening and landscaping as a hobby, but rather a task they need to fulfill every day. As you can notice, the positivity of working on it and thinking about it as something that completes someone’s day is priceless. With that, people will never view gardening as a time-waster, effort-burden, and a not-so-important thing to do. Instead, it will become a valuable duty that requires concentration, attention, effort, and time.

I like to say when animals are served up as a meal it’s a matter of “who’s” for dinner, not “what’s” for dinner. Perhaps some will want to reconsider how they refer to a plate full of vegetables. — Marc Bekoff Ph.D.

Appreciating The Benefits Of Gardening

There are tons of gardening benefits that this article can list. There is the improvement of emotional stability, promotion of mental wellness, increased self-worth awareness, well-functioned self-confidence, and self-care improvements. All of those things are possible with the help of a simple task that requires nothing but passion and dedication. You see, gardening does not limit its potential in stress reduction because not only it helps in holistic development; it also provides a sense of accomplishment. It is one of the strengthening factors that allow people to stay on track and focused. Not only in gardening but as well as the essential things in their lives. Gardening allows a better understanding of emotional, physical, and mental health.

The presence of green leafy plants has also been linked to enhanced creative thinking. No matter what we’re up to in life, thinking more creatively is generally useful — it’s usually handy while we work at our jobs, but also when we reason with toddlers or teenagers, and as we’re trying to re-combine our clothes into a new and more interesting wardrobe. — Sally Augustin Ph.D.

Things To Ponder

In the expansion of treatments and therapy, gardening, in the form of horticultural therapy appears to receive professional legitimacy. That is because the spring of combination from physical activity, cognitive stimulation, and awareness of natural surroundings are put to work together. The whole process builds a therapeutic effect that contains no side effects at all. Yes, the process of gardening can sometimes become muddy and dirty, but so what? That is the whole point of it. It is not perfect, but the life and hope it gives to those mentally ill individuals are priceless.

If you think you need guidance in keeping your mental health stable, you can always check out an online app like BetterHelp. It is where you can conveniently reach out to one of their experienced counselors and talk about how you can improve or maintain your emotional and mental wellness. You can also visit their official Facebook page.