Good Lifestyle

Toning your lawn can technically be a chore, but for many, it is a work of love. And if you have already noticed the distinct mood boost It comes from the mowing, you may wonder exactly how something as simple as a little garden job could make you so happy. It turns out that there are several reasons supported by science that your grass cut is linked to better mental well-being. Read the rest to learn the five reasons why your lawn mowing makes you happy, according to research and mental health experts.

Read this then: 5 spring cleaning tips to prepare your lawn for guests .

Why mowing your lawn makes you happy.

1. The mowing of your lawn can improve your health.

Scandon your lawn, especially if you use a manual mower - is a lot of hard work. It offers weekly physical exercise, which can improve your overall health and well-being, according to Ryan Hetrick , therapist, co-founder and CEO of the ambulatory drug addiction treatment center Well-being of the epiphany . AE0FCC31AE342FD3A1346EBB1F342FCB

"Regular physical activity has been linked to an improvement in mood, an increase in energy levels and a greater feeling of happiness," he said.

In fact, a study in 2020 published in the journal Sage open medicine said that when the elderly actively engage with their domestic gardens and lawns, the Health benefits abound .

Researchers note that physical activity while "gardening" - defined for the purposes of the study as any activity which implies an outfit of external plants ", such as plant cultivation, mowing lawns, weeding and rating" - can help prevent osteoporosis, certain cancers, type 2 diabetes, depression, heart disease, and more.

2. This can also give you a feeling of pride and accomplishment.

According to Hetrick, mowing your lawn can also Happier meeting By giving you a feeling of pride and accomplishment.

"Finish a great task as mowing the lawn produces a feeling of accomplishment. It can give a feeling of pride and give you a psychological boost," he said Better life.

There is a good explanation for this feeling of success, reports American scientist : A well -maintained lawn is not easy to find. "" The lawns indicate success ; They are a physical manifestation of the American dream of home ownership, ”explains a 2017 article.

"Having a well maintained lawn is a sign for others that you have time and / or money to support this attraction. It means that you care to belong and that you want others to see you are like them . A properly maintained lawn tells others, you are a good neighbor, "adds the author.

Read this then: The first things that guests notice on your backyard, according to experts .

3. The mowing of your lawn can help you remain more socially connected.

A feeling of social connectivity is an integral part of our mental health and our well-being. In fact, according to Stanford Medicine, "good social relations are the most consistent predictor of a happy life . ""

Although the majority of scientific research on the subject focused on the advantages of maintaining significant ties with family members or close friends, new research suggests that even Peripheral links Knowledge can help stimulate your mood and avoid depression.

Hetrick says that the mowing of your lawn can make you more likely to cultivate these connections, little by little. "It offers the opportunity to socialize with neighbors or friends who can be in their lessons at the same time as you."

"Even if it's just a friendly wave or a quick hello, these brief interactions can make you feel more connected to your community and put a smile on your face," he adds.

4. Being in nature while mowing can also help stimulate your mood.

You probably don't need research to tell you that spending time in nature can help stimulate your mood. However, a study in 2021 published in the International Journal for Environmental Research and Public Health confirm that Exhibition to natural environments - Even those as close as your lawn before - can help cause more positive emotions.

A theory that helps to explain the link between nature and happiness is known as the catering theory (art), explain the researchers. This theory "postulates that mental fatigue associated with modern life is associated with an exhausted capacity to direct attention", which can have an impact on its mood over time.

"According to this theory, spending time in natural environments allows people to overcome this mental fatigue and restore the ability to direct attention," said the study.

Hetrick adds that mower your lawn offers a chance to restore your concentration, using natural world clues to help you receive.

"While you mowse the lawn, it can be easier to appreciate the beauty of nature around you," he said. "Listening to the chirp birds, watching the fauna move and feel the heat of the sun on your skin can all contribute to a more positive mood."

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5. The mowing of your lawn can help reduce your stress levels.

There is a second theory explaining how to be in nature can improve mood, and it is known as the theory of stress reduction (SRT). According to researchers, "spending time in nature can influence feelings or emotions by activating the parasympathetic nervous system to reduce stress and autonomous excitement because of the innate link of people with the natural world".

In other words, being in nature can have a physically soothing effect by helping to write our responses to natural stress.

Another study, published in 2009 by researchers from the University of Queensland, Brisbane, adds that the chemicals published by the freshly cut grass can further help relieve stress By stimulating the tonsils and the hippocampus.

"These two areas [of the brain] are responsible for the response to theft or combat and to the endocrine system, which controls the release of stress hormones like corticosteroids," said researchers Daily mail when the study is released.

Hetrick adds that the simple fact of moving away from your daily tasks to mow your lawn can offer an opportunity for mental relaxation.

"Taking a break in work or other stressors in life and focusing on a simple task as mowing the lawn can help reduce stress and improve your mood," he said Better life .