Cultivating a Healthy Brain: The Psychological Benefits of Gardening

Gardening. It helps produce flourishing flowers and can even keep us fed with home-grown produce. But did you know that it can also do brilliant things for your brain? In this post, we’re going to delve in to the incredible psychological influence that gardening has, exploring how this simple activity can profoundly impact both our mental well-being and our cognitive health.

Getting close to nature

We’ve spoken before about the power of being in nature in an increasingly urbanized and technological environment. And naturally, gardening helps us connect to nature in a very hands-on way. Tending to plants throughout their various life stages is a rewarding and mentally stimulating activity, often with physical health benefits, intellectual and learning challenges, and a wealth of sensory stimulation. In fact, studies have revealed that regularly engaging in gardening can reduce the risk of cognitive decline and dementia as we age. 

Mindfulness and mental health

Chronic stress has become a pervasive issue in today’s society, one which certainly has negative impacts on our brain health. The natural environment of a garden and engaging in tasks to care for and nourish plants promotes mindfulness and a present moment awareness that can help to improve the symptoms of various mental health issues. With research showing that spending time in green spaces reduces cortisol levels, (the stress hormone), it makes sense that it can enhance our emotional well-being overall. 

Social and communal gardening

Perhaps a less considered brain benefit of gardening is its potential to bring people together to share knowledge, experiences, and resources. Studies point to observable physical changes in the brain, including within the hippocampus, prefrontal cortex, and amygdala when a person experiences long-term social isolation. With that said, community gardens are excellent spaces for creating social connections with other like-minded people that can help to combat these feelings of loneliness and isolation. Fostering long-lasting social connections is an excellent way to look after the health of our brains over the course of our lives. 

So, even if you don’t have access to your own garden, consider finding a community garden near you, and get involved. Even something as simple as tending to a window box or a planter can reap excellent rewards for your mental and cognitive well-being, so pick up a pack of seeds today and get inspired!