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How to Beat the Winter Blues with Indoor Gardening
As much as we hate to admit it, winter affects our moods. It’s dark, gloomy, and sometimes you can’t even imagine how you’ll make it through another snowstorm. Luckily there are some things you can do to fight seasonal depression… all using your Click & Grow indoor garden!
1. Take up indoor gardening as a hobby
The winter months can feel like an endless slog. The days are shorter and the weather is not exactly inviting for outdoor activities. It’s no surprise that many people experience various types of depression.
This is where indoor gardening comes in. When you’re feeling depressed, it gives you a simple activity that brings with it an immense sense of accomplishment. You’ll be surprised at how easy it is to grow flowers, fruits, herbs and vegetables for the first time with a smart garden.
The best part about indoor gardening is that you don’t need a green thumb in order to do it. Anyone can grow their own food at home with minimal effort and space. All you need is your Click & Grow indoor garden and a spirit of adventure.
2. Grow plants rich in vitamin C
Vitamin C is one of the most important vitamins you need during winter. It increases your body's resistance to colds and flu, helping you fight off illness. It also nourishes your skin, helps to maintain healthy bones and enhances wound healing. Here are some of the many vitamin C-rich plants you can grow in your smart garden:
Green Sorrel
Green sorrel has a tart, refreshing flavor similar to kiwifruit or sour wild strawberries. A 40 gram cup of fresh sorrel leaves will provide 32 % of your RDA (recommended dietary allowance) for vitamin C. Furthermore, it’s a natural source of vitamins A and B-6.
Green Chard
Green chard's flavor is milder than spinach. It complements salads. Mature leaves can be slightly bitter, so they're better suited to being cooked. A 36 gram cup of baby leaves will provide 14% of your RDA for Vitamin C. Green chard also contains vitamins A, E, K.
Shungiku
Shungiku’s flavor has been compared to that of celery and carrots but with a fresh aftertaste, making it perfect for winter hot pots. A 100 gram cup of shungiku provides 40% of your RDA for vitamin C. It’s also naturally rich in vitamins A and B.
Cilantro
Cilantro’s flavor is bright and citrusy, perfect for curry pastes, dips, and salsas. A small 16 gram cup of leaves covers 36% of your RDA for vitamin C. On top of that, it’s a natural source of vitamins A and K.
Plain Parsley
Parsley has a fresh peppery taste that blends well with soups, salads and meat dishes. Plain Parsley and Curly Parsley are both naturally high in vitamin C. Just one teaspoon of fresh leaves covers 7% of your RDA for vitamin C. Parsley is also a natural source of vitamins B12 and K.
Learn more about vitamin c-rich plants to grow in your smart garden here!
3. Add light and color to dark spaces
The lack of sunlight can have a serious impact on our mental health. This is especially true during the winter months where many places receive less than six hours of natural light.
Our body's internal clock (circadian rhythm) is tied to nature's cycles and doesn't care if daylight saving time has just begun or if it’s early morning or late at night. If you’re suffering from winter depression, anxiety, irritability, low energy or a craving for carbs, it could be caused by a lack of exposure to sunlight.
For many years, light therapy lamps have been a popular choice for treating SAD (seasonal affective disorder). Light therapy treats symptoms of SAD by increasing the amount of serotonin and melatonin in the body.
While your smart garden can’t replace a light box or therapy lamp, it can certainly help to add extra light and vibrancy to your surroundings. Our smart gardens come with LED lights that help each plant to thrive. During winter, they can also be used as a supplemental light source for dark rooms in your home.
We hope this article inspires you to try indoor gardening this winter. It’s a great hobby that can boost your mood and help you appreciate life. It also gives you a reason to socialize with like-minded people in person and online.
Join our Facebook community and follow us on Instagram and Twitter to learn more about the joys of indoor gardening. You might even find that gardening gives your life a new purpose, or at least makes a long winter seem like a little less of a burden.