The Benefits Of Gardening

Gardening is a hobby that is both rewarding and relaxing. Here are some of its benefits:

Stress Relief

Research conducted at Wageningen University proved gardening reduces the amount of cortisol (the stress hormone) in the body. This has a calming effect that reduces overall stress.

Gardening builds immunity

People who garden are exposed to microorganisms like bacteria. This small exposure builds immunity, especially when they are exposed as children.

Gardening increases happiness

Inside dirt, a natural antidepressant called Mycobacterium vaccae can be found. It increases cytokine levels that boost the production of serotonin.

Gardening is a workout

You don’t have to get to the gym if you are gardening. One study found that spending three hours digging, pruning, and carrying out other garden tasks burned a similar amount of calories as spending those three hours in the gym.

Gardening encourages healthier eating

When you have access to fresh fruit and vegetables, it is easier to make smarter food choices. It gives you the chance to question the source of foods and consider healthier alternatives.

Gardening benefits the brain

6The way that it stimulates the mind helps reduce the risk of dementia by 36%. It can also be a great place to exercise cognitive skills and socially interact with others.