Will Playing In The Dirt Enrich Your Health?

Posted by on May 2, 2013 in Blog | 2 comments

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It’s that time of the year again.  That time when gardeners heed the beckoning calls of their gardens.  They eagerly return to that Zen like elemental connection with the earth which they have been yearning for all winter.  Gardening has many health benefits above and beyond simply reaping beautiful flora and fresh produce.   Playing in the dirt actually makes you happier, calmer and smarter!

So what are the health-benefits associated with Gardening?

Mental Health

In our modern world,  iPhones,  eMails, and the internet have the ability to captivate our attention and disconnect us from the physical world around us.  As humans, our brains have a limited capacity to soak up this seemingly unlimited and mesmerizing distraction.  Due to this hyper-focus we place in cyberspace, experts have coined the term Attention Fatigue to describe the ill effects of engrossing ourselves in this alternate reality.
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smiling-gardener[1]Gardening has a profound effect on your mood.  Studies have shown that gardening can improve symptoms of depression and fight stress better than other relaxing leisure activities.  When comparing a half hour of gardening to a half hour of reading, the gardeners reported better mood as well as lower stress hormone levels (cortisol).

There is a harmless bacteria commonly found in the soil which gardeners are exposed called Mycobacterium vaccae.  Studies have shown that injecting mice with this bacteria increases the release and metabolism of Serotonin (aka: the happiness hormone) which plays a positive role in brain function and mood.  This mood enhancer acts similarly to serotonin antidepressant drugs – only this is all natural.

imagesCAJ4RZZDThe combination of physical and mental activity involved in gardening has a profound and positive effect on the mind.  Gardeners are well acquainted with the bliss like state they experience when they effortless focus their Involuntary Attention towards enjoying nature. The experience of calm connection coupled with the satisfaction of tangibly working towards a goal helps to replenish the mind, body and soul while you play with your hands in the earth.

Continued: Gardening and Physical Health

2 Comments

  1. Hey Dr. Chad…

    Well you got that exactly right! There is something so calming and freeing being out in the garden instead of watching a digital image or flying your fingers across a keyboard.

    When I was growing up, my Mother would say go outside and play…not go sit in front of a TV or a computer. I do think we need to connect with the earth as you so aptly put it.

    Looking forward to your guidance on some exercises we can do to keep our bodies in working order as weeds cause us countless hours in the garden…

    Thanks
    CW

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