Unveiled Advantages of Gardening: The Rewards of Embracing Soil and Greens
Gardening, a simple and rewarding pastime, is increasingly being recognised for its extensive physical and mental health benefits. This activity, enjoyed by individuals across all age groups, offers a unique blend of moderate physical exercise, outdoor exposure, and therapeutic engagement with nature.
### Physical Health Benefits
Gardening serves as a form of moderate-intensity activity, involving tasks such as digging, planting, weeding, watering, and harvesting. These activities help improve strength, flexibility, balance, and endurance, burning approximately 200-400 calories per hour[3][5]. The physical demands of gardening also contribute to increased vitamin D synthesis, essential for bone health and immune function[5].
Moreover, growing one's own fruits and vegetables leads to the consumption of fresh, nutrient-dense produce that can be richer in vitamins and minerals than store-bought alternatives[5]. Additionally, a study funded by the American Cancer Society found that gardeners tend to consume more fiber and engage in more physical activity than non-gardeners[5].
Physical activity combined with exposure to nature through gardening also helps reduce blood pressure and cortisol (stress hormone) levels, promoting cardiovascular health and stress reduction[3][5].
### Mental Health Benefits
The mental health benefits of gardening are equally significant. Gardening has been shown to significantly reduce stress and anxiety by promoting relaxation and interrupting cycles of worry. It also reduces symptoms of depression and PTSD by providing a therapeutic, mindful engagement with living plants and soil[1][2][4].
Regular gardening sessions elevate mood, boost happiness, and improve cognitive functioning, including attention and memory[1][2]. Caring for plants and witnessing their growth creates feelings of satisfaction, accomplishment, and pride, which enhance self-esteem and confidence for people of all ages[2][3].
Gardening encourages being present in the moment, helping to calm the mind and increase mindfulness, which is beneficial for overall psychological well-being[1][4]. Furthermore, gardening fosters social connection, reducing feelings of isolation and increasing neighbourhood satisfaction[1][3][5].
### Benefits Specific to Children
For children, gardening offers a playful and engaging way to encourage physical activity while promoting responsibility through plant care. It provides a hands-on learning experience about biology, nutrition, and the environment, with positive effects on mood, focus, and self-esteem that can support emotional development during childhood.
In summary, gardening is a holistic activity that supports healthy body and mind for adults and children alike, combining gentle physical exercise, outdoor exposure, social interaction, and therapeutic engagement with nature[1][2][3][4][5].
Sources: [1] National Institute of Mental Health (2021) Gardening and Mental Health. Retrieved from https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/gardening-and-mental-health/index.shtml [2] American Psychological Association (2019) The Psychological Benefits of Gardening. Retrieved from https://www.apa.org/topics/gardening [3] Mayo Clinic (2021) Stress Management: Gardening. Retrieved from https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/stress-management/in-depth/gardening/art-20045558 [4] University of California, Davis (2021) Gardening as Therapy. Retrieved from https://www.ucdavis.edu/health-system/news/articles/2016-05/gardening-therapy.html [5] American Cancer Society (2021) Gardening and Cancer Prevention. Retrieved from https://www.cancer.org/healthy/eat-healthy-get-active/physical-activity/gardening-and-cancer-prevention.html
- Incorporating gardening into one's lifestyle can prove beneficial for mental health, as it has been linked to reduced stress and anxiety levels, promoting relaxation and interrupting cycles of worry.
- According to a study, regular gardening sessions can boost mood, happiness, and cognitive functioning, including attention and memory, while offering a therapeutic, mindful engagement with living plants and soil.
- Engaging in gardening activities, particularly among children, can support emotional development by providing a playful environment to encourage physical activity, learn about biology and the environment, and develop self-esteem and responsibility through plant care.
