The Physical and Mental Health Benefits of Gardening

A number of studies have been conducted to determine the various mental health benefits associated with gardening. For starters, individuals who regularly garden often enjoy improved moods. Gardeners can experience feelings of peace and contentment while escaping from daily stresses and persistent negative thoughts.

Spending time in a garden can be useful for anyone who would like to improve their attention span. People who experience difficulties maintaining focus on a conversation or a singular task can improve their capacity for concentration through gardening. Those who live with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) should discuss gardening with their physician, as a number of additional outdoor activities have been linked to a reduction in ADHD symptoms.

Gardening can also be instrumental in the development of self-esteem. As individuals successfully guide plants from a seed into a beautiful flower, fruit, or vegetable, they have ample opportunities to appreciate the impact of their hard work and skill and to take pride in their gardening accomplishments.

Not all of the psychological benefits related to gardening are derived directly from the act itself. For instance, people can develop new friendships and social bonds by spending time at a community garden or selling food at a farmer’s market.

Gardeners can also benefit from spending time outdoors. Outdoor gardening boosts a person’s vitamin D levels through increased exposure to sunlight. Research indicates that vitamin D is involved in mood regulation and can minimize a person’s chances of developing depression. Vitamin D can be especially beneficial for senior gardeners, though all gardeners must remember to take the proper safety precautions when it comes to direct sunlight exposure, such as wearing sunblock. Additional benefits of spending time outdoors, according to the American Psychological Association, range from lower stress levels to increased capacities for empathy and cooperation, as well as research describing how just 15 minutes in nature can boost immune system function.

In some cases, gardening provides benefits that are both psychological and physical in nature. As an example, individuals who grow their own fruits and vegetables can enjoy the many benefits of eating healthy, which include enhanced brain functionality and a reduction of depression and stress symptoms. Stress and depression not only impact a person’s mood and overall state of mental wellness, but can also manifest in physical symptoms such as heart disease and chronic fatigue.

Specific physical benefits from foods commonly seen in gardens range from lower blood pressure from beets to the anti-inflammatory properties of blueberries, which have been linked to lower chances of developing cancer and heart disease.

Of course, while it may not be the most physically intensive activity, the act of gardening can be considered a light aerobic exercise that provides health benefits of its own. Activities such as digging, removing weeds, and stretching for hard-to-reach plants and equipment can improve cardiovascular and respiratory health. Gardening can also assist people with maintaining a healthy weight and reduce the chances of health conditions such as osteoporosis, diabetes, and certain cancers.

People who are interested in either the psychological or physical benefits of gardening can start with a few potted plants before expanding to a larger plot of land.