Follow Now: Apple Podcasts / Spotify / Google Podcasts

Every Friday on The Verywell Mind Podcast, Editor-in-Chief Amy Morin, LCSW, shares the “Friday Fix”—a short episode featuring a quick, actionable tip or exercise to help you manage a specific mental health issue or concern.

Friday Fix: Episode 198

There are many ways to treat depression—medication, individual therapy, group therapy, and transcranial magnetic stimulation to name a few.

But, there are also lifestyle changes that can sometimes provide effective relief from symptoms. Something as simple as growing a garden can sometimes be an effective way to improve mood and reduce stress.

From working in community gardens to growing plants at home, being in nature, getting physical activity, and working toward a goal is good for mental health.

In fact, horticulture therapy has become an entire field of treatment for individuals who want to improve their well-being.

Before you decide that you just don’t have a “green thumb” or that you aren’t familiar with plants, trust that learning about plants is part of the process. You can discover easy-to-care-for plants that suit your lifestyle. 

You might not necessarily need to grow an outdoor garden to benefit, however. Growing a container garden on a patio or even just growing an indoor plant might also be effective.

If you really don’t want to grow the plants yourself, know that just having plants around can also be good for your emotional well-being. You don’t necessarily have to be the caretaker.

In this episode of The Verywell Mind Podcast, I explain why gardening is good for mental health and the steps you can take to incorporate plants in a plan that supports your overall well-being.

More About the Podcast

The Verywell Mind Podcast is available across all streaming platforms. If you like the show, please leave us a review on Apple Podcasts.

Reviews and ratings are a great way to encourage other people to listen and help them prioritize their mental health too.

If You Liked This Episode You Might Also Like These Episodes:

Editor’s Note: Please be mindful that this transcript does not go through our standard editorial process and may contain inaccuracies and grammatical errors. Thank you.

For media or public speaking inquiries, contact Amy here.

Download the Transcript

Links and Resources

  • Follow Amy Morin on Instagram

  • Check out Amy’s books on mental strength

  • Community Gardens Benefit Those with Intellectual Disabilities and Mental Health Issues

  • Street Trees Near Your Home May Reduce Risk of Depression

  • How to Know if You Have Existential Depression With Melissa Bernstein

  • Friday Fix: What to Put on Your Calendar to Reduce Depression

  • How to Eat to Beat Anxiety and Depression With Dr. Drew Ramsey