Funny that yard work didn't make the list, it works for me. A decade and a half ago I bought a rural multi-acre densely wooded lot. In the last few years I've made a habit out of going out to tame it daily with chainsaws, wheelbarrows, rakes, etc. Usually less than an hour at a time, on a lunch break from my remote job.
It was a royal slog that I dreaded in the beginning. But from the start it was a mood-improver, and subconsciously I caught on, because I've come to look forward to it and to enjoy it for itself. It gets me outside and in motion, with a reasonable amount of exertion. Doing it without hurting myself requires enough attention to pry me away from my other problems. It relaxes and somehow elevates rather than detaching me. The cleaning up satisfies my subclinical OCD in a deep way. Yard work has become a privilege that came with this property rather than a responsibility and chore.
So now the job is almost done and I'm looking longingly over the fence at my neighbors' wild yards. Maybe I'll make a deal with them, or maybe find some other way of generating happiness from being outdoors and working hard with natural randomness. Like gardening.
Gardening is a super-hobby: It hits the exercise, creativity, and nature aspects. If you do it with a partner that's time outside the house you're spending with family. It's also free, and at the end of it you typically get the sense of accomplishment. Can't say it better than Voltaire: "Il faut cultiver notre jardin"
Gardening is free? Maybe if you invest 3-12 months in making your own compost first, inherit a few tools, have a good amount of arable soil on your property, and collect seeds/cuttings from friends who are already accomplished gardeners. Otherwise, it adds up. Still worth it though!
Herbs and tomatoes and peppers are worth growing yourself and can be grown in a small space. Everything else leads to the most expensive veggies you've ever eaten and they're really not better than something from the farmers market or even grocery store.
I agree that yard work is phenomenal for mood, but it is sort of captured in the article's list. I see yard work as a combination of light exercise, time spent in nature, and meditation. In your case, it's a personal hobby too!
As an aside to your last thought, there's a local teacher in my town that offers to paint home interiors in the summer time. He expects customers to do all the prep work and acquire the paint, but he will show up with brushes, rollers, etc. He does charge a fee, but it's much lower than any professional. When I asked why he does it, he simply answered that he loves painting and finds it relaxing, so he decided to do it on the side to help locals out. Maybe you could do something similar for yards in the neighborhood.
I was only able to afford a very small garden where i am but gardening definitely has helped me as well. One day I dream of moving to own a multi acre plot as well.
There's small elements of stress to it but they're manageable, not too consequential and non imposing like job related ones or the like.
My courgettes and pumpkin got mildew on them and i couldn't help it but they still kept producing what they could and i had more than i used regardless.
I could not keep my tomato plants from getting blown over, keep up with the cutting work, etc....but i still had an abundance of those.
In general, I agree, but I think it depends on the context of the yard work. If you live in a rural area, cosmetic upkeep is optional, and you can work on things at your own pace. If you live in a "standard" exurban neighborhood, constant upkeep can be a chore, especially if you want to use your limited daylight hours after work to do anything else.
In other words, if you have control over aspects of the work, it's more likely to make you happy. This seems to be consistent with the findings in the article.
I agree with you and can relate. A few years ago I bought the lot (just 0.24 acres) behind my house and over time have cleaned it up. It was a lot of work, but it was something I looked forward to doing and really enjoyed. I now have it looking like I want, so there's not much left to do. I wish there was an adjoining lot for sale so that I could repeat the process.
For folks who work in virtual worlds (AKA computing), outdoor work is an ideal way to recharge your batteries. Not only is the physical exercise a win, but strong sunlight lifts your mood, even when it's cloudy (and especially if you have Seasonal Affective Disorder). It helps me, anyway. The more physical the work (shoveling snow, splitting logs), the better.
It was a royal slog that I dreaded in the beginning. But from the start it was a mood-improver, and subconsciously I caught on, because I've come to look forward to it and to enjoy it for itself. It gets me outside and in motion, with a reasonable amount of exertion. Doing it without hurting myself requires enough attention to pry me away from my other problems. It relaxes and somehow elevates rather than detaching me. The cleaning up satisfies my subclinical OCD in a deep way. Yard work has become a privilege that came with this property rather than a responsibility and chore.
So now the job is almost done and I'm looking longingly over the fence at my neighbors' wild yards. Maybe I'll make a deal with them, or maybe find some other way of generating happiness from being outdoors and working hard with natural randomness. Like gardening.