I don’t know about you, but I just love getting in the garden. The combination of fresh air, sun on my skin, and digging in the dirt feels delightful. It instantly can zap away stress and anxiety, and it feels like a boost of energy. The scientist in me just had to figure out why. Here’s what I discovered.
The Link Between Gardening and Well-Being
Recent studies suggest that daily contact with nature has a long-lasting and deep impact on health, including depression and anxiety symptoms. We’ve been hearing more about things like forest bathing and using nature walks to increase well-being. Gardening is arguably one of the most common ways of interacting with nature and indeed is enjoyed as a popular pastime in many countries. But I rarely hear about the benefits of gardening for well-being.