I have never considered myself a green thumb person. LIKE EVER! I do love creating herbal remedies with plants that have already been cut, dried, and sifted. Well, one night I took a herbal healing bath with fresh, straight from the Earth and the energy was game-changing. A few weeks later I learned a meditation that called for us to lean against a tree and I had never felt anything like it before. I knew there was something I was being asked to notice about connecting directly to the Earth. Then "coincidentally" (it was my Ancestors doing!) a client referred me to apply for a Cultivation Residency with the Material Institute to learn how to garden, connect with the Earth and feed my family, make medicine, and care for the community. Life has never been the same. The way I have learned and experienced how working with the Earth is healing in so many ways has and still is blowing my mind. Gardening is more than just a way to cultivate food; it’s a practice that nourishes the body, heals the mind, and connects us deeply to the earth's rhythms. Over the past few months, my residency at the Material Institute—focused on cultivation and gardening—has been nothing short of life-changing. I’ve learned how gardening feeds our communities and provides profound mental, emotional, physical, and spiritual benefits. It’s a journey into connection: with the soil, with ourselves, and with the people around us.
I want to share the healing power of gardening and the transformative lessons I've learned for personal growth and community building.
Gardening and Mental Health: A Balm for the Mind
As I continue to heal through ADHD, people leasing tendencies, and easily triggered anxiety, gardening has been an outlet that has been healing my nervous system offering mental clarity and grounding through hands-on, earthy engagement.
1. The Calm of Being Present
When you’re in the garden, pulling weeds, planting seeds, or harvesting crops, the mind naturally quiets. These repetitive tasks act as a form of mindfulness, allowing us to focus on the present moment. This meditative quality is particularly soothing for those of us with anxiety or ADHD, as the garden demands attention in a way that’s calming rather than overwhelming.
2. Boosting Mental Resilience
Gardening fosters resilience as we face challenges like pests, unexpected weather, or slow-growing plants. These moments teach us patience and problem-solving—skills that translate beautifully to everyday life. The small victories in the garden, like watching a seedling sprout or tasting the first fruit of the season, provide tangible reminders of our capacity to nurture and overcome.
3. The Science Behind the Calm
Scientific studies have shown that contact with soil—specifically a bacterium called Mycobacterium vaccae—can boost serotonin production in the brain. Serotonin, often called the "happiness chemical," helps regulate mood and reduce feelings of depression. The act of digging in the dirt isn’t just nostalgic; it’s biologically beneficial.
Emotional Healing Through Gardening: A Space for Reflection
Gardens are sacred spaces where we can slow down and reflect on our lives. Every seed planted mirrors the potential within us, and every weed pulled speaks to the necessity of clearing out what no longer serves us. Gardening becomes a therapeutic practice, offering lessons that resonate deeply with our emotional well-being.
1. Gardening as a Mirror for Growth
The garden reflects back to us how we navigate life’s challenges. Are we intentional and patient, or do we rush through tasks? Do we provide ourselves with enough care and nourishment to grow? Tending to plants can help us notice patterns in how we treat ourselves and others, fostering greater self-awareness.
2. Releasing Emotional Baggage
Pulling weeds or clearing debris from the soil can feel symbolic of letting go of emotional clutter. The physical act of removing what stifles growth—whether in the garden or our lives—can be deeply cathartic.
3. Building Emotional Connections
Gardens bring people together. Sharing seeds, exchanging gardening tips, or working on a community garden project fosters connection and empathy. It’s a space where people from all walks of life can come together, bridging differences and nurturing a sense of belonging.
Spiritual Insights from the Soil
There is something undeniably sacred about placing your hands in the soil and connecting with the earth. Gardening reminds us that we are part of a larger, interdependent ecosystem—a humbling and inspiring realization.
1. Connecting to the Cycles of Life
Gardening aligns us with the natural cycles of growth, decay, and rebirth. These rhythms remind us to honor every phase of our own lives, including the times of rest and renewal. The Full Moon, for example, is a potent time for reflection and harvesting—both literally and metaphorically.
2. The Wisdom of Plants
Plants teach us powerful lessons about adaptability and resilience. They thrive in the right conditions but also show us when they’ve outgrown their pots or need pruning. Similarly, we can learn when it’s time to leave an environment, let go of limiting beliefs, or create space for new opportunities.
3. Spiritual Nourishment from the Earth
Eating food that you’ve grown yourself offers a profound spiritual connection. There’s a certain magic in consuming something that’s traveled directly from the earth to your plate, embodying the energy and care you’ve poured into its growth.
Physical Healing and the Power of Fresh, Local Food
Gardening doesn’t just feed the soul; it nourishes the body. The act of gardening is inherently physical, and the food it produces provides a direct source of healing for the body.
1. Movement in the Garden
Gardening keeps us active. From digging and planting to watering and harvesting, the physicality of gardening promotes strength, flexibility, and overall wellness. It’s a form of gentle exercise that’s accessible to people of all ages and abilities.
2. Fresh Food for the Nervous System
Eating straight from the garden is one of the most nourishing ways to heal the nervous system. Foods like leafy greens, fresh herbs, and root vegetables provide essential nutrients that support brain health, reduce inflammation, and stabilize mood. For those with ADHD or anxiety, these whole, unprocessed foods can make a noticeable difference.
3. Farm-to-Table Healing
Farm-to-table practices connect us to the source of our food, encouraging mindfulness about what we put into our bodies. Preparing meals with ingredients from your own garden fosters gratitude and intentionality, turning mealtime into a ritual of self-care.
Cultivating Community Through Gardening
Gardens have the unique ability to bring people together. They serve as gathering spaces for connection, education, and collaboration. Whether it’s a community garden, a school initiative, or simply sharing produce with a neighbor, the garden becomes a hub for unity.
1. Learning Across Generations
Gardening allows people of all ages and backgrounds to learn from one another. Elders pass down wisdom about growing techniques, while younger generations bring fresh perspectives and energy. This exchange strengthens bonds and creates a sense of shared purpose.
2. Bridging Cultural Divides
Food is a universal language, and gardening transcends cultural barriers. Growing and sharing food fosters understanding and respect, uniting people through the shared experience of nurturing the earth.
3. Empowering Communities
Community gardens can address food insecurity by providing fresh produce to underserved areas. They also empower individuals with the knowledge and skills to grow their own food, fostering independence and resilience.
Gardening as a Lifelong Teacher
Perhaps the most profound gift of gardening is the way it teaches us to slow down and live with intention. The garden requires care, patience, and attention—qualities that, when applied to our lives, can lead to deeper fulfillment and growth.
1. Slowing Down
In the garden, nothing happens instantly. Seeds take time to sprout, flowers take weeks to bloom, and fruits ripen on their own schedule. This slow, deliberate process encourages us to let go of the rush and embrace the art of patience.
2. Nourishing Ourselves and Others
Just as plants need water, sunlight, and nutrients, we need care and attention to thrive. Gardening reminds us to prioritize self-care and nourish our bodies, minds, and spirits with intention.
3. Growing and Outgrowing
Plants grow, thrive, and eventually outgrow their containers or conditions. In the same way, we must recognize when it’s time to move on from relationships, habits, or environments that no longer serve us. The garden teaches us to embrace change and trust the process of growth.
I'm so grateful to share this experience thus far with y'all!! I'll be sharing some healing herbal remedies along the way, be sure to become a member on the site and get updates every time a new blog post is created!
Gardening is a deeply healing practice that nourishes us on every level—physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. It connects us to the earth, to ourselves, and to one another, reminding us of the interconnectedness of all life. Through gardening, we learn to slow down, care for ourselves and our communities, and embrace the transformative power of growth. Whether you’re tending a backyard plot, participating in a community garden, or simply growing herbs on your windowsill, the act of cultivating life is a profound step toward healing and wholeness.
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ABOUT SHANDA DOMANGO BROWN:
Ancestral Medium and Movement Healer, Shanda Domango Brown has always known a life as a trained dancer and fitness trainer. Her healing journey began during her pregnancy, which became a turning point in her life. Facing physical pain and fear of the future, Shanda immersed herself in chakra-based and ancestral healing. Combining these teachings with her Master's Degree in Arts Management and extensive dance and fitness experience, Domango created Healing Movement—a holistic approach to wellness influenced by somatic, yogic, and dance practices, offering profound physical, mental, and emotional benefits.
Through Healing Movement, Domango experienced transformative changes in her well-being and shares this practice with others. Whether it’s through dance, somatics, meditation, or Ancestral connection, Shanda’s goal is to help others reconnect and align their bodies and spirits through holistic wellness and spiritual growth.
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