MIND. How To Increase Life Satisfaction.
The latest research shows … engaging in the natural world like what we have done (or had done) for thousands of years as a species is actually really, really good for our health. Time outside? Quality sleep? Connection with other humans? Exposure to natural light? It’s good for us and life satisfaction. According to the research.
I say this tongue and cheek (and this is all true research), only to drive the point home of: we live in a mismatched world of modern world and Paleolithic brains (cue dopamine culture, infographic at the bottom).
A 2022 research paper published in Preventive Medicine Reports that participating in gardening activity may posses psycho-therapeutic elements, including:
Participating in gardening improves life satisfaction, quality of life and self-esteem.
Participating in gardening has shown benefits sleep improvement, increased hope, happiness, and reduction of symptoms of depression, stress, and anxiety.
Participating in gardening has potential to reduce progression and severity of dementia.
The authors’ conclusions:
“Our commentary provides evidence from literature that participating in gardening activity is psychologically therapeutic, improves food security and physical health. We propose that clinicians, researchers and policy makers consider participating in gardening activity as a potential mental health preventive intervention for people of all ages. Clinicians and other health care providers should encourage their patients to have small gardens in their yards or homesteads, create green space with trees and flowers around their homes. Gardens and green spaces should be planted around the hospitals and other medical centers. In addition, hospital wards should have windows that allow patients to view natural scenes and trees outside the buildings.”
My conclusion:
Get growing this Spring season! It’s good for your health.
Citation:
Ainamani HE, Gumisiriza N, Bamwerinde WM, Rukundo GZ. Gardening activity and its relationship to mental health: Understudied and untapped in low-and middle-income countries. Prev Med Rep. 2022;29:101946. Published 2022 Aug 8. doi:10.1016/j.pmedr.2022.101946
