20 Mental And Physical Health Benefits Of Gardening

Here, residents can grow plants and vegetables with the advice of our full-time horticulturist and get all the fruitful benefits of gardening. More than good exercise for your body, gardening also provides a healthy workout for your brain, suggests a 2019 study published in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. The researchers measured memory-related cranial nerve growth factors in the study participants, all elderly, before and after creating a garden, and found that their cranial nerve growth levels had increased significantly. Some hospitals even use plants and flower arrangements as a kind of rehabilitation for people recovering from injuries, strokes, surgeries and other conditions. NYU Langone’s horticultural therapy program helps patients rebuild their physical and mental health, Fried says.

Some gardeners find the activity relaxing and relieving stress, for general mental health benefits. Home gardens take many forms, from a few containerized plants to large backyard garden plots. In addition to the reward of homegrown products, the benefits of gardening as a hobby include health, environmental and pleasure benefits for the gardener. The benefits of a home garden make the physical effort and cost of gardening worthwhile. Can’t it seem like you can’t nail those colors for your latest painting project? We’ve all been there and a season in the garden can unlock all the ebb and flow of creativity.

If you don’t like going to the gym, gardening can be a fun way to get these benefits. In addition to physical health, gardening helps lower levels of cortisol, a hormone produced by your body when you’re stressed. The confinement caused by the COVID-19 pandemic has taught us to enjoy nature.

Gardening with others in a community garden or other group environment requires teamwork to achieve shared goals. Being part of a larger group can benefit your mental health by increasing your social connections and support system. Focusing your attention on the immediate tasks and details of gardening can reduce negative thoughts and feelings and can make you feel better in that moment. Just spending time around plants relieves stress for many people. All that movement and movement also improves your flexibility and strengthens your joints and muscles.

Having a hand in fruit and vegetable production increases the likelihood that children will experiment with new foods. Even if you don’t have the greenest fingers, there are many health benefits, both physical and mental, that come with digging in the ground and planting. You practice and produce a basket of tomatoes, peppers or any other amount of fruits, vegetables or decorative plants. Whether you have an acre of land or a few pots on a balcony, family gardening helps everyone live healthier lives.

In addition, direct contact with sunlight can improve your mood. Children tend to spend a lot of time indoors, which can negatively affect their behavior and health. Research indicates that time spent in nature provides hoveniersbedrijf significant benefits for children’s mental health. A large study that followed nearly 3,000 people over the age of 60 over the age of 16 revealed that gardening can reduce the risk of dementia by as much as 36 percent.

In addition, gardening has special advantages for children. Early exposure to dirt has been linked to numerous health benefits, from reducing allergies to autoimmune diseases. Consuming more fresh fruits and vegetables is one of the most important things you can do to stay healthy.