Gardening nourishes not only the soil, but also the soul.
“Being outside in nature and digging in the ground is therapeutic,” said Christy Cleveland, a health and wellness nurse for Powers Health.
Cleveland even suggests planting a community garden. “It can really bring people together over a common bond,” she said.
Cleveland offers these additional benefits to playing in the dirt:
Mindfulness: Gardening encourages you to live in the moment, provides hope and reduces anxiety. This grounding activity nurtures the mind and body by reducing stress and keeping people active and engaged. As Audrey Hepburn once said, “To plant a garden is to believe in tomorrow.”
Purpose: Gardening provides a sense of accomplishment and builds self-esteem as you watch your work sprout from seed to thriving plant.
Scents and Senses: Being in nature engages the five senses of touch, sight, hearing, taste and smell.
Healthy Eats: A successful garden yields fresh and affordable fruits, vegetables and herbs. You can plant the colors of the rainbow and reward yourself with a nutritious bounty.
Getting Active: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention promotes gardening as a healthy, moderate-intensity physical activity – burning between 165 to 220 calories per 30 minutes. Tasks such as digging and weeding improve strength, flexibility and cardiovascular health.
Good for the Environment: Not only is gardening good four your health, it creates habitats for pollinators like bees and butterflies. The garden can be a gentle place. It encourages people to slow down and disconnect from the hustle and bustle of the day and allows you to just be.