What comes to mind when you think of the ‘benefits of gardening’?
The vibrant flowers in full bloom or the joy of watching your plants grow? Or maybe it’s just how your space becomes more aesthetic and alive. Gardening is usually associated with beauty, but did you know that it can do wonders for your physical and mental wellbeing too?
Yes, you read that right. Gardening isn’t just about creating a pretty backyard or harvesting fresh vegetables. It’s also a secret superpower for boosting your mood, improving your health, and helping you feel better about yourself. Let’s dig a little deeper into the surprising benefits gardening offers.
Boost Your Mood by Getting Dirty: Soil and Serotonin
Did you ever expect that getting your hands in that wet & cold mud could actually make you happier?
Believe it or not, touching soil can literally boost your mood. That cold, wet dirt and nutrient-rich humus contains a little magic in the form of serotonin – yes, the same chemical that plays a key role in making you feel good. Serotonin, often called the “happy hormone,” helps regulate everything from mood to sleep, digestion, and even wound healing.
When your hands come into contact with soil, you absorb a natural bacterium known as Mycobacterium vaccae. This little bacterium works wonders by triggering serotonin production in your brain. So, if you ever thought being around nature makes you feel better, imagine what getting your hands into nature can do for your emotional wellbeing. In fact, it works like a natural antidepressant.
Growing Plants, Growing Confidence
There’s something undeniably satisfying about seeing something grow, especially when you’ve nurtured it from a tiny seedling. And that sense of accomplishment?
Study shows that gardening helps people feel more confident in their bodies and boosts self-esteem. Imagine harvesting a home-grown tomato or seeing your first flower bloom – you can’t help but feel proud. This is particularly valuable for people who struggle with low self-esteem or are battling depression. However, it works for just about anyone. There’s a reason gardening is often called therapeutic. It makes you feel capable, accomplished, and in control – qualities that are vital for self-confidence.
Gardening: A Lifeline for Those with ADHD
If you’re anything like me and find it difficult to sit still, let me tell you – gardening can be a game changer. Someone with ADHD, knows how challenging it can be to focus on long-term projects. Gardening gives you a healthy dose of both instant gratification and the satisfaction of sticking with something over time.
Think about it: when you finish a gardening task – whether it’s planting seeds or pulling weeds – you immediately see the fruits of your labour. That quick win gives you a little dopamine rush.
But at the same time, gardening teaches patience. Seeds won’t sprout overnight, no matter how many times you check on them. It’s an exercise in waiting, watching, and learning to slow down. And trust me, slowing down doesn’t come naturally to a lot of us!
Then there’s the physical aspect. A good gardening session gets your blood flowing, which has the added benefit of brightening your mood. Between the serotonin boost from the sun and the endorphins from getting active, it’s a great way to balance out some of those chaotic ADHD tendencies so many people gave these days.
Nature’s Cure for Anxiety: Walking Among the Plants
Feeling overwhelmed or anxious? Try taking a walk in a green and grassy land. Studies have shown that even a brief stroll among plants can lower anxiety levels almost instantly.
How does this happen? Well, it seems that nature has a way of pulling you into the present moment. Green spaces tend to be quieter and more peaceful, allowing you to focus on the sights, smells, and sounds of your surroundings. This kind of mindful presence can help break the cycle of worry and rumination that often fuels anxiety.
Plus, being around plants naturally encourages relaxation. The absence of noise, the fresh air, and the restorative properties of nature can do wonders to reset your mood and help you unwind.
Dirt Under Your Nails, Health in Your Gut
Here’s a fascinating little secret: getting dirt under your nails isn’t just a sign that you’ve been working hard – it can actually be great for your gut health.
Turns out, our bodies share a lot of the same bacteria found in soil. When you interact with dirt, you absorb these microbes through your skin, and they can positively impact your gut microbiome. A diverse and healthy gut microbiome is linked to everything from improved digestion to stronger immunity.
In fact, some of the healthiest guts in the world belong to people who live in close contact with nature. Think about those remote hunter-gatherer communities that walk barefoot on soil all the time. The diversity of bacteria in their guts is off the charts, and their overall health benefits from it. So next time you’re barefoot in the garden or getting your hands dirty planting seeds, remember that you’re also giving your gut a little extra love.
Gardening Makes You Happy – Like Literally!
Beyond boosting your mood and self-esteem, gardening has been linked to long-term mental health benefits, like improving memory retention and even reducing the risk of dementia. In fact, studies suggest that people who garden regularly may reduce their risk of developing dementia by as much as 36%. It’s not just about the physical activity – it’s also the focus, care, and attention that gardening requires, which keeps your brain active and engaged.
Saving the Planet, One Plant at a Time
If all the personal benefits of gardening weren’t enough, here’s another perk: you’re also helping the planet. By growing your own food, you reduce waste, cut down on transportation emissions, and lessen the need for harmful synthetic fertilizers.
Composting your kitchen scraps can turn what would have been waste into nutrient-rich soil, further supporting your plants and reducing your environmental footprint. Gardening is not just a gift to yourself, but also to the Earth.
It’s a win-win for you and our mother Earth
At the end of the day, gardening is so much more than just growing plants. It’s a way to nurture your body, mind, and even the environment. Whether it’s boosting your serotonin levels by touching the soil, reducing anxiety with a walk among your plants, or improving your gut health with a little dirt under your nails, the benefits are as deep as the roots of the plants you grow. So get started today.
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