Health Benefits of Gardening

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Unlock the numerous health benefits gardening provides, including better fitness, joint mobility, and improved mental health.

Benefits of Gardening

If you think gardening  doesn’t come with some great benefits, well think again!

There are both physical and mental benefits that are well-documented. And, there’s plenty of science out there to support the mental and physical health benefits of gardening. 

Yes, gardening is considered good for physical health! That’s because it provides a moderate to strenuous form of exercise.

Gardening can improve cardiovascular health, muscle strength, joint mobility, and overall physical well-being. Additionally, it can contribute to weight management, improve hand function, and increase bone density. Crazy huh?

Even the National Institute of Health supports the benefits of gardening:

“There is increasing evidence that exposure to plants and green space, and particularly to gardening, is beneficial to mental and physical health, and so could reduce the pressure on NHS services. Health professionals should therefore encourage their patients to make use of green space and to work in gardens, and should pressure local authorities to increase open spaces and the number of trees, thus also helping to counteract air pollution and climate change.”

 

Garden for Mental Health

Gardening promotes stress reduction. It’s a calming, meditative activity that helps reduce chronic stress—key to healthy aging in Blue Zones.

Gardening is also a way to vent and get rid of life’s frustrations. 

Believe it or not, but the simple act of weeding helps the brain process inetense emotions like anger, frustration. It helps in venting those pent up and unexpressed feelings. You could be less likely to ‘explode’ at home or work. 

Is Gardening Good for your Health

I can attest to the fact that gardening releases calming brain chemicals for me! Yes, these are the same kind of pain-reliving and sedating bring chemicals from opiods. 

These brain chemicals are called beta-endorphins or “nature’s opioids”!

According to Garden and Gun magazine,  “… “nature’s opioids,” and oxytocin, the bonding hormone that enters the bloodstream when human beings hug, or when a mother holds an infant, both happen naturally in the garden.”

Benefits of Gardening

Gardening and Blue Zone Living are deeply connected—gardening is one of the key lifestyle habits observed in people who live in Blue Zones, the five regions in the world where people live the longest, healthiest lives.

Blue Zones are areas where people regularly live to 90 or 100 years old. 

• Okinawa, Japan

• Sardinia, Italy

• Ikaria, Greece

• Nicoya Peninsula, Costa Rica

• Loma Linda, California (USA)

These communities share common lifestyle traits—one of the most consistent being gardening.

Skills Learned from Gardening

So many skill sets go into gardening! It’s not just throwing out seeds or planting small plants, then walking away. It’s a commitment to helping this life form grow! 

So what kind of skills will you learn? 

• Patience: Plants take time to grow, teaching persistence and long-term thinking.

• Responsibility: Regular care and maintenance encourage accountability.

• Problem-Solving: Pests, soil issues, or weather challenges require thoughtful solutions.

• Planning and Organization: Designing a garden layout and seasonal planting schedule.

• Observation: Being attentive to plant health, growth patterns, and environmental changes.

How to Create a Simple Garden

If  you’ve got access to sunshine and water, you can garden. Simple pots and small containers can be the ‘garden’ for many things like microgreens. I’m a huge fan of growing my own microgreens, and here’s how! 

Here’s the cliff note edition of creating your own simple garden:

• Choose a Space: Find a sunny spot—backyard, balcony, windowsill, or community plot.

• Pick Easy Plants: Start with herbs (like basil or mint), leafy greens, or hardy flowers.

• Use the Right Tools: Basic items include gloves, a trowel, watering can, and quality soil.

• Plan Watering and Sunlight: Learn your plants’ needs and set a schedule.

• Maintain Regularly: Weed, prune, and observe your plants weekly.

Why is Gardening so Good for You?

Home gardening has a powerful influence on your diet—it naturally encourages healthier eating habits in several key ways.

🥗 1. Increases Fruit and Vegetable Intake

When you grow your own food, you’re more likely to eat it. Studies show gardeners tend to eat more fruits and vegetables than non-gardeners—often meeting or exceeding daily recommended servings.

🥬 2. Promotes Seasonal, Whole Foods

Home gardening ties your diet to the seasons. Instead of processed or packaged options, you’re more likely to eat fresh, nutrient-rich foods right from the garden—like leafy greens, tomatoes, herbs, and berries.

🍓 3. Reduces Intake of Processed Foods

With fresh produce readily available, you’re less tempted to rely on snacks or fast food. Homegrown ingredients also inspire more home cooking, reducing dependence on ultra-processed meals.

🌿 4. Encourages Variety in Diet

Gardeners often grow a mix of crops—some they wouldn’t normally buy. This introduces new flavors and nutrients into your meals, boosting dietary diversity and micronutrient intake.

🧠 5. Builds Awareness of What You Eat

Growing your own food increases mindfulness about where your food comes from, how it’s grown, and what goes into your body. This awareness often leads to more intentional and nutritious food choices.

🌍 6. Promotes Sustainable Eating Habits

Home gardening reduces the carbon footprint associated with food transportation and packaging. It supports a more eco-friendly, plant-based lifestyle aligned with long-term health.

Health and Gardening

Even a small herb box or vegetable patch can lead to healthier, fresher meals. Gardening isn’t just a hobby—it’s a gateway to better nutrition.