Gardening for Mental Health: The Therapeutic Benefits of Working with Plants

I’m JV Charles at Garden Josiah. Did you know gardening can cut stress levels by up to 36%1? That’s pretty amazing ! This shows how big an impact plants can have on our mental health. We’ll look into the history of horticultural therapy, the healing power of nature, and how caring for plants helps us. It’s super cool.

Gardening is known as a way to help our mental health. Studies show it can lower depression and anxiety, and even make us happier and sharper12. Tending to a garden or caring for plants brings peace and a sense of nurturing. This proves how important gardening is for our mental health.

Key Takeaways

  • Gardening can lower stress hormone levels and reduce the risk of developing dementia.
  • Interacting with nature, both outdoors and through indoor plant care, has been shown to improve mood, sleep, and cognitive function.
  • Community gardens foster a sense of belonging and provide educational opportunities, while school gardens promote mindfulness and healthy habits in children.
  • Proper plant care routines are crucial to maintain the health and well-being of the plants, which can in turn benefit the caretaker’s mental health.
  • Horticultural therapy is a multidisciplinary approach that utilizes the therapeutic benefits of plants and gardening to promote physical, mental, and social well-being.