From the nutrients in the soil, to the sunlight & exercise you're getting from gardening, the benefits for both your physical & mental health are endless!
So much so, that gardening & groundbreaking greencare programs are commonly used at rehabilitation centers, therapy centers & care facilities for people with dementia & Alzheimer's.
So, what are the health benefits?!
• Gardening improves your mood, increases your self-esteem & decreases your feelings of depression & anxiety.
Studies show that soil contains something called "mycobacterium vaccae", which is a nutrient that activates certain parts of your brain which produces serotonin.
Serotonin is the main hormone that stabilizes your mood, feelings of well-being & happiness. It also helps with sleeping, eating, digestion & enables communication between brain cells & other systems in your body.
• Horticultural therapy - the practice of using plants & gardening to improve mental health has been practiced in addiction recovery programs for decades.
It's proven that plants provoke positive feelings in people recovering from addiction. When given the opportunity to participate in nature therapy or art therapy, those who chose gardening completed the rehab program at a higher rate & had a more satisfying experience.
