Tending the Garden and Its Surprising Benefits for Your Mental Well-Being
Science says digging in the dirt can calm your mind. Here's how gardening supports mental wellness — and how to build a therapeutic garden in any space.
We've learned at the TnF Farm that homesteading means embracing a lifestyle where there's always something to do, plan, build, repair, or rethink. It's a rewarding but endlessly demanding journey that requires dedication, hard work, and a deep connection to the land. However, even amidst the sweet life of farming, there comes a time when you need an escape.
Homesteading is a 24/7 commitment, and the to-do list seems never-ending. From tending to livestock and maintaining crops to fixing fences and tackling unexpected challenges, the work is both physically and mentally demanding. There's a sense of responsibility that comes with this way of life, and it's essential to honor it.
Yet, just like any other profession or lifestyle, it's crucial to find moments of respite. Escaping from the daily grind of homesteading allows for rejuvenation and balance. It's a chance to recharge both the body and the spirit. Whether it's a short getaway to explore a nearby mountain biking trail or body of water, a weekend outing, or a leisurely evening spent vegging out, these moments of escape are invaluable.
Escapes also provide an opportunity to gain fresh perspective. Stepping away from the farm allows you to see things from a different angle, discover new ideas, and return with renewed enthusiasm and creativity. It's a chance to reflect on your goals, evaluate your practices, and make improvements.
Moreover, these escapes help strengthen the connection to nature, which is often the driving force behind homesteading. Experiencing the great outdoors, even outside the farm, reinforces the appreciation for the natural world and reaffirms the homesteading commitment to sustainability and self-sufficiency.
Join us as we build, play and repair stuff. Sometimes its the wrong way. Mistakes are some of the best learning experiences.
Science says digging in the dirt can calm your mind. Here's how gardening supports mental wellness — and how to build a therapeutic garden in any space.
So who’s up for a little day trip? Nestled along the picturesque Georgia coast, Jekyll Island stands as a testament to the intersection of natural beauty,…
Providence Canyon encompasses approximately 1,103 acres of stunning landscapes, including the famed state park. Often dubbed Georgia’s Little Grand Canyon.…
Less than 5 years ago, I was running 5Ks and lifting weights. People would often mistake me for 10 years younger than I was. How did I become this fragile…
Tim and I are always looking for a fun activity or a new place to explore. We’re part of Facebook groups and follow many of the channels that promote fun…
Your comeback will always trump your worst setback. In 2017, I was 41, a newfound bachelor, in poor health, addicted to tobacco, and drinking way more…
The story of the St. Augustine Lighthouse begins long before the recognizable black-and-white spiral tower was built. The site’s origins date back to the…
Let’s be honest, if you live in the South, you’ve probably already heard someone brag about how they pick tomatoes well into December or harvest collards…
Faith and I relocated from the Jacksonville area to rural North Florida in the fall of 2021. We worked jobs we thought were very boring and…
If you’ve got a green thumb and a dream of turning your love for plants into a profitable venture, starting a gardening business in your community might be…
Boneyard Beach is a picturesque and unique natural attraction located approximately 30 miles from Jacksonville, Florida. It’s not a single, specific beach,…
I’m so old, I started out on a ColecoVision which had an expansion that played Atari 2600 games. I later moved up to the 8-bit Nintendo Entertainment System…
Lichgate on High Road is a popular location for events, weddings, and nature enthusiasts who appreciate the picturesque setting and the history of the…
Long ago, I was at a gathering hosted by a great friend of mine named Rob and his wife, Laura. She had this amazing almost cake-like bread served with a…
We have the philosophy of work hard, play hard. Since it was a nicer day, we decided to take our Christmas spirit to St. George Island. This small island is…
Walking into a small-town business like Porterhouse is always an experience. The door’s entrance bell dings when we walk in. A moment later, Fawzi stepped…
It’s soon 2024. Perhaps you’ve been living under a rock. Let me prep you before you emerge from ignorant bliss. Everything costs more. Too much more. For…
Our friend and fellow foodie Kaitlyn came to visit TnF Farms and wanted to cook Hawaiian for us tonight. We really love her visits because Kaitlyn always…
Fort Clinch State Park is a Florida state park located on Amelia Island, in the northeastern part of the state. The park is known for its well-preserved…
If you have spent any time in the upper Midwest, you know about a gas station chain called Casey’s. Casey’s pizza is surprisingly some of the best breakfast…
Today was a good day. We sold some livestock and we’ve been doing some improvements to our property and construction for some of the new livestock we are…
Today we will be working all day on the far part of our property. We’re going to load up our side by side with Dobby the farm dog, fencing materials and some…
Tim usually cooks breakfast. Before we called it an evening last night, I mentioned tomorrow morning, I’m making a favorite breakfast of mine. Today I’ll be…
Last year we tried using our farmhouse fireplace to heat our entire home with our thermostat set in the 50s. With the exception of really cold nights, we…
I have had jambalaya a number of times since moving to the south. I think it’s pretty good. I’ve been wanting to try my hand at making some of my own.…
When it’s omelet day, I usually make a 6 egg, deluxe omelet with all sorts of goodies rolled in. When Faith and I got together, she would see my omelet, grab…
Challah loaves are a way we treat ourselves at TnF Farms. And we often make French toast with it. French toast is a favorite here. Until being introduced to…
Like every week, we were almost out of bacon. I stopped into Porterhouse Meat Market to refresh our bacon stash and to…
The candy store days have long gone but now as a 40 something, I have a better vice. Butcher shops. I frequented a local butcher shop called Porterhouse…
I used to be an avid runner. Before moving to rural Florida, I was running about 10 miles a week in the Jacksonville suburbs. Now that we’re settled in on a…
I went to bed knowing Friday was going to be a busy day. My lovely wife, being clairvoyant about me awakening to sunrise, asked me to let the livestock out…
It’s a carb cheat day at the TnF Farm this fine Saturday morning! Hope you’re having an excellent morning too.