Planting in garden helps relieve anxiety during isolation

Lai Lingyun, PhD candidate at Leiden University, the Netherlands

When I stay at home and remain healthy, I feel anxious and am easily affected by bad news. I have dealt with my anxiety by trying to find inner peace by planting vegetables in the garden.

I also want to improve my health and immunity by doing manual work. Farming requires a lot of physical labor. I have to plow the field every day, which requires strength and endurance. It's just like doing exercise.

I've never grown vegetables before and I learned how to do it from a handbook. I started the work in March, which included weeding and plowing my land, which used to be a grass lawn.

I do the heaviest work while my girlfriend picks up the grass and stones. She also takes photos for us. We spent some time each afternoon for about 20 days planting cilantro, radish, spinach, cabbage and cauliflower seeds.

While working in the garden I encounter many kinds of little plants and creatures, including flowers, trees, frogs and birds. The entire experience has allowed me to relax and feel connected with nature.

During the social isolation period the companionship of my girlfriend and nature have helped effectively mitigate my social-isolation anxiety.

Zhang Yi spoke with Lai Lingyun.