Cultivate Success with Ravi Shah: A Discussion About Graduating with Your Own Garden
In a world where stress levels among students are on the rise, a new hobby is gaining popularity as a natural remedy: gardening. Gardenuity, a company specialising in garden kits, offers beginner-friendly solutions that can fit snugly in dorm rooms or apartments, making it an accessible option for many students.
Ravi Shah, a team member at Gardenuity, is a testament to the transformative power of gardening. Since graduating from the University of Texas, gardening has played a significant role in his life, providing him with a sense of peace and patience that he finds invaluable.
According to a recent poll, 78% of students who didn't garden while in school wish they had. The benefits of gardening are numerous and far-reaching. It not only reduces stress levels, boosts mood, and improves general happiness, but it can also serve as a meditative practice, helping to clear the mind and focus.
Anxiety and gardening expert, Quentin Vinnie, affirms this, stating that gardening can provide a non-judgmental, calming activity that engages the senses and supports emotional self-regulation. Gardening lowers cortisol levels, boosts dopamine (which enhances motivation and pleasure), and allows a shift from "fight or flight" stress responses to a restorative state.
For students with limited time and resources, starting a garden can still be an achievable goal. Small containers, window boxes, or pots can fit in limited indoor spaces or balconies. Easy-to-care-for, fast-growing plants such as herbs (basil, mint), succulents, or small vegetables can be a great starting point.
Allocating just 10-20 minutes a day or a few times a week to watering, pruning, or planting—short, consistent hands-on tasks—can help reduce stress. Creating sensory or mindfulness gardens focusing on tactile, scent, and visual stimulation can promote mindfulness even in brief sessions.
Ravi Shah, a recent University of Texas graduate with a degree in finance, encourages readers to find time in their day to appreciate patience, with their garden and themselves. He shares that patience is crucial when growing a garden, and he particularly enjoys growing mint in his garden, discovering there are many varieties of mint to explore.
For students looking to incorporate gardening into their lives during the school year, resources are available. The article provides links to related articles about the benefits of gardening, Quentin Vinnie, and gardening during the pandemic. There's even an article about going back to school with a garden.
So, while the thought of starting a garden might initially seem daunting, the benefits it can bring to a student's mental health and well-being far outweigh the potential stress of starting one. As Ravi Shah puts it, "Gardening is not just about growing plants; it's about growing patience with oneself and finding a moment of peace in the chaos of student life."
[1] [Article about the benefits of gardening] [2] [Article about Quentin Vinnie] [3] [Article about gardening during the pandemic] [4] [Article about going back to school with a garden] [5] [Article about five fun facts about mint]
- Engaging in gardening, touted for its ability to boost mental health and overall wellness, can offer a calming respite for students, particularly among those with limited indoor spaces or time, as simple container gardens with fast-growing plants, such as basil, mint, or succulents, can still provide the benefits.
- As science continues to delve into the intricacies of mental health, researchers have found that gardening can serve as a valuable tool for emotional self-regulation, reducing stress levels, lowering cortisol, and boosting dopamine, contributing to a better mood and increased motivation and pleasure.
- In the realm of health-and-wellness and lifestyle, gardening has emerged as an attractive pastime for its therapeutic potential, providing an enjoyable, non-judgmental activity that engages the senses while fostering mindfulness and emotional wellness.
- Incorporating gardening into students' daily routines, even during the busy school year, is not only achievable but also beneficial, with numerous resources available online, such as articles about the unique advantages of gardening, tips from mental-health and gardening experts like Quentin Vinnie, and practical recommendations on gardening during the pandemic, as well as guidance tailored for students returning to school with vibrant home-and-garden projects.
