Gardening’s Hidden Powers
Gardening is a hobby that many of us pick up as the years go by. There’s nothing quite as satisfying as nurturing something and watching it grow.
If you garden or are thinking about picking up gardening, that may be one of the best decisions you ever make. I knew gardening always made me particularly happy, but I never knew why until now.
The Physical & Social Activity
Studies have shown that gardening has a multitude of benefits to those that practice it. One of the most obvious benefits? An elevated mental health.
But how does gardening connect to your well-being? Every element that makes up a particularly satisfying gardening session can have an impact.
Researcher all over the world did a long-term study with eleven years of data and nearly 90,000 participants.
Compared to a sedentary lifestyle, gardening or other leisurely activities for only 10 to 59 minutes a week is linked to an 18 percent lower risk of death.
In addition, gardening has been previously linked to a decrease in depression, anxiety, and body mass index. There were also increases in quality of life, life satisfaction, and a sense of community.
Particularly for the elderly, gardening has enormous benefits: a reduction in falls, less stress, and even reduced need for medications.
The Benefits Of The Environment
According to The Spirit Science, most soil contains a bacteria called M.vaccae, which boosts the release of dopamine and serotonin in the brain. These chemicals help with mood and many other functions within the body.
As you garden, you inhale the microorganisms and they absorb through the skin. Thus, you have better bodily functioning and mood. It’s as simple as that!
So grab those gloves and get gardening. There’s nothing to lose, but there’s definitely so much to gain.
