Go Ahead — Dig in the Dirt
Surprising benefits of gardening
Once upon a time, when I was little, I would spend hours playing in the sand on the playground, in the grass, and, of course, in the mud. Although it was a pain for my mom to wash out my clothes, I couldn’t stay away. It was just too much fun.
As I got older, playing in the mud and sand became frowned upon. So I graduated towards weeding, planting, and enjoying the fruits of my labor: cucumbers, tomatoes, berries, and flowers.
Now an adult, I realize that gardening impacts multiple facets of our lives. It improves our physical, mental, and emotional health. It also provides opportunities for socializing. Best of all, anyone anywhere can do it. So why not give it a try?
Stimulate Your Senses
When you’re stressed, anxious, overwhelmed, or upset, what helps you calm down? A scented candle? A luxurious bubble bath? Curling up with a warm blanket and your favorite book? Or some music in the background to match your mood? Whatever your method of choice is, we obviously turn to sensory “things” to help calm the mind.
It is no surprise then that gardening provides stress relief and has a calming effect. After all, this one activity affects multiple senses. You feel the mud, weeds, and flowers between your hands. You see the stimulating colors of your garden. You inhale the sweet aroma of fresh earth, flowers, and vegetables. You pick fresh herbs, berries, fruits, and vegetables to savor.
So why not give your mental health a boost? Pick up a plant or some seeds and reap the benefits of gardening.
Healthy Bacteria
Some of the physical effects of gardening are obvious. You get a Vitamin D boost from being out in the sun. The labor burns calories and enhances your cardiovascular system, reducing the risk of various diseases.
But if you’re like me and love the smell of fresh earth, there is a bonus that you may not have counted on. A bacterium called Mycobacterium vaccae resides in soil and, when inhaled, could provide a boost of serotonin and benefits for the immune system. In the words of Physiology Professor Christopher Lowry:
The idea is that as humans have moved away from farms and an agricultural or hunter-gatherer existence into cities, we have lost contact with organisms that served to regulate our immune system and suppress inappropriate inflammation. That has put us at higher risk for inflammatory disease and stress-related psychiatric disorders.
A study published in Psychopharmacology isolated a lipid component in the bacterium that helps explain how M. vaccae benefits our immune system. The fat binds to the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR), blocking pathways that cause inflammation, anxiety, and stress. This could even lead to the development of a “stress vaccine”.
While you sit and home, waiting for this “stress vaccine” to develop, why not inhale some of that healthy bacteria the old-fashioned way? Engage in some gardening or eat leafy greens from your garden.
Sense of Community and Purpose
There is something deeply satisfying about gardening. You carefully select seeds or seedlings to plant and prepare their habitat with soil, mulch, and fertilizer. You check on your progress each day as you water your plants, top up the soil, and pull out pesky weeds that threaten your garden. The excitement you feel with the appearance of a leaf or a flower is palpable.
So why does gardening make us feel so good? In a world where seemingly everything is out of our control, this little plot of soil is our domain. We can plant what we want, where we want, and how we want. It gives us a sense of purpose in caring for the plants and following their progress. Whether it is a pretty garden or vegetables for dinner, we have a goal to work towards.
You can engage family and friends in your projects. Help with planting or watering is always welcome. Since you’re not going to touch your iPhone with muddy hands, it also provides an excellent opportunity for bonding without the disruptions of technology. And what can top a gift of vegetables or a bouquet from your garden for a loved one?
Conclusion
As a child, playing with mud builds your immune system to help prevent asthma and allergies later on. As a teenager, it teaches you discipline, responsibility, and working towards an ultimate goal through a set of tasks. As an adult, gardening benefits your mental and physical health and emotional wellbeing.
So the next time you’re looking for something to do, why not plant some seeds and see what grows? You’ll be pleasantly surprised by the results.
