Anxiety & Depression Friday Fix: How Growing a Garden Could Reduce Your Depression By Amy Morin, LCSW Amy Morin, LCSW Amy Morin, LCSW, is a psychotherapist and international bestselling author. Her books, including "13 Things Mentally Strong People Don't Do," have been translated into more than 40 languages. Her TEDx talk, "The Secret of Becoming Mentally Strong," is one of the most viewed talks of all time. Learn about our editorial process Updated on May 09, 2023 Print Verywell / Julie Bang Table of Contents View All Table of Contents Friday Fix: Episode 198 More About the Podcast The Verywell Mind Podcast's “Friday Fix” is a short episode that features a quick, actionable tip or exercise to help you manage a specific mental health issue or concern. Follow Now: Apple Podcasts / Spotify / Google Podcasts 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. In fact, horticulture therapy has become an entire field of treatment for individuals who want to improve their well-being. 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. 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. 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. 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. Going Green During COVID-19: What Houseplants Can Do for Your Lockdown Health 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. 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. The Verywell Mind Podcast Download the Transcript Links and Resources Community Gardens Benefit Those with Intellectual Disabilities and Mental Health Issues Street Trees Near Your Home May Reduce Risk of Depression If You Liked This Episode You Might Also Like These Episodes: 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 How to Use Gardening for Stress Relief By Amy Morin, LCSW Amy Morin, LCSW, is a psychotherapist and international bestselling author. Her books, including "13 Things Mentally Strong People Don't Do," have been translated into more than 40 languages. Her TEDx talk, "The Secret of Becoming Mentally Strong," is one of the most viewed talks of all time. See Our Editorial Process Meet Our Review Board Share Feedback Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! What is your feedback? Other Helpful Report an Error Submit