If you spend any time gardening, you probably understand what I mean when I say it feels good \u2014 despite the lifting, sweating and straining involved. Yes, exercise is good for our bodies, but there\u2019s something about digging in the dirt while listening to a bird soundtrack that lifts my spirits. Even the scent of the soil and mulch makes me happy.<\/p>\n
As it turns out, there are scientific reasons<\/a> for this.<\/p>\n In fact, there\u2019s an entire field called horticultural therapy that\u2019s dedicated to using \u201cplant-based and garden-based activities to support people who have identified treatment needs,\u201d according to Karen Haney, a horticultural therapy instructor at UCLA Extension in Long Beach, California.<\/p>\n \u201cResearch suggests 20-30 minutes (of gardening) a few times a week can reduce stress and lift mood, with benefits increasing the more regularly one gardens,\u201d says Sarah Thompson, a professionally registered horticultural therapist in Boise, Idaho.<\/p>\n It\u2019s not just about being outdoors<\/p>\n Yes, the simple act of being in nature can improve mood and restore focus, she said, but \u201cthe active engagement of nurturing plants, making decisions and seeing results over time adds a unique layer of meaning and satisfaction that passive time outdoors does not.\u201d<\/p>\n In addition, Thompson said gardening has been shown to ease symptoms of anxiety and depression, and fosters a sense of calm, purpose and accomplishment.<\/p>\n A recent study<\/a> at the University of Colorado-Boulder backs this up.<\/p>\n The researchers there provided one group of participants with an instructional gardening class, seeds, starter plants and a community gardening plot. They had a second group refrain from gardening for two years.<\/p>\n The gardening cohorts reported stronger social connections, lower stress levels and about a 7% increase in fiber intake, which have been shown to reduce risk factors for some physical and mental illnesses, including depression, high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes and cancer. They also reported a 42-minute weekly increase in physical activity, which the non-gardeners did not.<\/p>\n A mindful, rewarding and versatile activity<\/p>\n Previous studies have arrived at similar findings. In 2020, for instance, researchers at the University of Exeter and the Royal Horticultural Society in the U.K. found the health and well-being of gardeners over non-gardeners<\/a> to be similar to that of residents of wealthy communities over those who live in poorer areas.<\/p>\n In addition to encouraging mindfulness, grounding people in the present moment and providing a sense of achievement, Thompson said, \u201cresearch has also shown that exposure to sunlight can boost serotonin levels, while contact with soil introduces beneficial microbes linked to mood enhancement.\u201d<\/p>\n So, it seems you just can\u2019t go wrong with gardening. <\/p>\n \u201cPhysically, gardening improves strength, flexibility and balance. Socially, it can foster connection. Cognitively, it engages problem solving and creativity,\u201d Thompson said, adding that it\u2019s a highly adaptable activity.<\/p>\n \u201cGardening can be scaled to any space, ability or age, and its benefits are accessible to everyone,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n Deep down, we gardeners have always believed this. Now, we have the science to prove it.<\/p>\n ___<\/p>\n Jessica Damiano writes weekly gardening columns for the AP and publishes the award-winning Weekly Dirt Newsletter. You can sign up here<\/a> for weekly gardening tips and advice.<\/p>\n ___<\/p>\n