Gardening Your Way to Good Health

“Gardening adds years to your life and life to your years” – avid gardeners will profess that this quote rings true.

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The relationship between people and their gardens has been, among many things, that of delight, fascination, fulfillment and reciprocation.

Gardening can be an incredibly rewarding hobby to pursue, not only because it gives us a sense of satisfaction from growing our own flowers, fruits or vegetables, but because it offers numerous health benefits.

Research suggests that gardening can have considerable therapeutic advantages, and can help in holistic healing. Therapeutic gardens are often used by healthcare professionals to treat people with chronic illnesses and disabilities. Even having and tending to a single plant on your window-sill or balcony can help you to create a calming environment – a great alternative for those confined to apartments with limited space.

Let us take a look at some of the health benefits of gardening:

Improves your mood

Gardening has been seen to greatly improve one’s mood. Being outdoors and being surrounded by nature is rejuvenating to the body and mind. Plants have a soothing effect on people as we tend to feel happier, more relaxed and optimistic in spaces surrounded by plants and nature.

In a survey conducted at four hospitals in the San Francisco Bay Area, 79 percent of the patients said they felt calmer and more relaxed, while 19 percent felt more positive, and 25 percent of the patients said they felt refreshed and stronger after spending time in a garden.

Additionally, flowers tend to stimulate positive emotions. In a 2005 study, it was seen that women who received flowers reported more positive moods three days later, while elderly patients who received flowers reported better moods and improved episodic memory.

Relieves anxiety and stress

According to a report in the Mental Health Journal, gardening can relieve stress and anxiety, and reduce symptoms of depression. Gardening also helps to lower cortisol (stress hormone) levels in the body and the physical activities of gardening release ‘feel-good’ chemicals such as serotonin and dopamine.

A 2007 study found that a bacterium called Mycobacterium vaccae found in soil triggers the release of serotonin, which induces feelings of happiness, uplifts moods and reduces anxiety. Being outdoors also exposes people to sunshine and high amounts of vitamin D, a synthesizer of serotonin, because of this, gardening is also beneficial to those suffering from depression.

Boosts self-esteem and attention span

Planting something, nurturing it and watching it grow can give us a great sense of pride and achievement. Making mistakes and learning how to remedy them can enable us to grow as individuals. As interests deepen, gardening helps us to tap into the growth mindset that encourages continuous learning.

It also helps us to stay focused on the tasks at hand, thus, improving our attention and concentration. Studies suggest that outdoor activities such as gardening can reduce symptoms of ADHD.

Makes us stronger and healthier

There are numerous ways in which gardening enhances our physical wellbeing. At a fundamental level, growing our own fruits and vegetables can encourage us to eat healthier. Having control over and knowing where your food is coming, from helps you to avoid consuming produce treated with chemicals and pesticides.

Also, being outdoors in the sunlight working in a garden enables us to get a good dose of Vitamin D which boosts our immunity. The physical activity of gardening also burns calories, and strengthens muscles and bones.

Building social connections

It is well understood that human beings are social animals. We seek connection and understanding with like-minded people. Gardening provides great avenues to meet and connect with people, and therefore, helps to fight loneliness, which can be especially beneficial to the elderly. It is also a great way to build connections with children and teaches them to be mindful and responsible towards nature.

Planting together in a community garden encourages teamwork towards a common goal. In a study involving students who participated in school gardens, they reported that the skills they learned and relationships they formed through gardening gave them a great sense of personal well-being.

Encourages mindfulness and connect to nature

We have an innate connection to nature. Gardening encourages mindfulness towards nature and the world around us. It encourages us to take notice of the little things, such as the change of seasons or the presence of insects and birds. Planting trees and other types of plants reduces pollution and encourages pollinators, which are a crucial part of our food ecosystem.

Whether you have a large space or you are confined to smaller spaces, gardening has something to offer everyone. Make use of smaller spaces with vertical or balcony gardens; explore different gardening methods such as bonsais and water gardens, or liven your interiors with indoor plants.

Whatever type of gardener you choose to be, rest assured that your garden will reward you with much more than just healthy plants, flowers, fruits, or veggies. Your garden will add many more healthy years to your life!

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