7 WAYS GARDENING HELPS YOU LIVE LONGER—AND HAPPIER—ACCORDING TO EXPERTS

Prepare your green thumbs—even science agrees on this one!

When you hear that a tiny adjustment in your life—like starting a garden—can actually make you live longer, it’s only natural to give a little skeptic-induced side-eye. But science has spoken, and it’s very clear on the matter: Gardening can, indeed, help you live longer.

Countless studies have proven this in their own right, pointing to the myriad ways a little hands-in-the-soil action can improve our mental and physical well-being. For starters, Australian researchers following men and women in their 60s found that those who regularly gardened had a 36% lower risk of dementia than their non-gardening counterparts. 

Another study, published in 2024 in the Journal of Affective Disorders, noted that gardening was associated with a 42% lower likelihood of experiencing sleep issues, and researchers have also concluded gardening notably boosts mental health by reducing stress levels and symptoms of depression. 

Meet Our Expert

• Molly Burrets, a licensed clinical psychologist and adjunct professor at the University of Southern California
• Elisabeth Crain, PsyD, Los Angeles-based psychotherapist
• Donna Letier, the leading gardening expert and founder of Gardenuity

How Gardening Improves Your Health 

All the above scientific data, which is just a sampling of the numerous studies conducted on the topic, are a recipe for higher quality of life and improved longevity. And you even get some beautiful flowers or delicious herbs and veggies out of the whole thing! Let’s get into some specific ways that gardening can help you live longer. 

Improves Mood 

Nurturing a garden and watching it come to fruition is a boon to your mood and mental health. The act of tending to your green space is also inherently soothing. 

“Gardening can enhance mood and improve symptoms of depression. Studies have found that spending time in green spaces can increase serotonin and dopamine levels—the neurotransmitters linked to happiness and reward,” explains Molly Burrets, a licensed clinical psychologist and adjunct professor at the University of Southern California. A review published in Preventive Medicine Reports found that gardening is associated with reduced depression and anxiety.

Acts as Self-Care

When we’re able to tend to, nurture, and grow foods and plants, that nurturance is reflected back to us. “The ability to nurture something growing in your garden provides nurturance back to self; it nourishes the soul,” says psychotherapist Elisabeth Crain, PsyD. “It also allows for connectivity to Mother Earth and ourselves. It creates inner harmony, taps into our primal instincts, and bridges our inner and outer worlds through nature.” 

Fosters a Sense of Pride 

Similarly, gardening can also help cultivate an abundant and growth mindset and gives us something to be proud of. How exciting to plant a tiny seed in the soil, tend to it for weeks, and then enjoy the reward by its beauty, crunchy taste, or delicious flavor? 

“It’s exciting to be able to grow something and to, ultimately, pick it and eat it,” Dr. Crain says. “Gardening instills a sense of healthy pride as you enjoy the fruits of your labor—literally—whether it’s fresh vegetables, flavorful herbs, or beautiful plants.” 

Connects Us to Nature 

Gardening is a grounding act in the most literal sense as we put our hands in the soil, feel green leaves, and pluck produce. “It provides a tangible connection to nature, reminding us of our role in the cycle of life,” says Donna Letier, the leading gardening expert and founder of Gardenuity. “Gardening also teaches us to appreciate the ebb and flow of life. It deepens our understanding of time’s passage, fostering patience as we wait for our first bloom or harvest.” 

Gets Us Moving 

Taking care of a garden gets our bodies moving as we dig, prune, weed, water, and harvest. “It can be viewed as forms of exercise, improving strength, flexibility, and balance,” Dr. Burrets says. “Regular gardening activities can help [both young and] old adults improve their physical fitness, maintain mobility, and prevent functional decline.” 

Improves Nutrition 

Naturally, growing your own fruits and vegetables has nutritional benefits since it encourages you to eat more nutrient-dense foods, Dr. Grain notes. Even if you don’t have a massive garden or stick to just fresh herbs, your garden’s offerings can influence your other meals, encouraging healthy choices to make use of the yummy foods you have on hand. 

Boosts Immunity 

Getting dirty may sound like a bad thing, but it’s actually surprisingly beneficial for our immune systems. Dr. Burrets says, “Soil contains beneficial bacteria, which is believed to have immune-boosting properties. Exposure to this bacteria through gardening may help improve immune function, as well as reduce inflammation and boost serotonin, which can again improve mood.” (On that note, Letier says that contact with soil exposes gardeners to Mycobacterium vaccae, a microorganism that’s been linked to improved mood and reduced anxiety.) 

Tips on Starting a Garden  

Anyone can start a garden. Even if you don’t have a large plot of land, and even if you feel like your green thumb is non-existent. “I firmly believe that anyone can get started on their own gardening journey, no matter their age, lifestyle, skill level or space that they have,” Letier says. Here are some tips to get you started. 

Start Small

Start with a beginner-friendly plant or two as you venture into gardening. This creates a low-pressure situation that allows for mistakes and correction as you learn, building confidence as you go. 

Join a Community

“Don’t underestimate the power of joining a community for motivation and support,” Burretts says. “Online resources, local gardening groups, and community gardens can offer support and guidance to help ease you into the practice.” 

Use Starter Plants

Growing from seed is always an option, but sometimes it’s helpful to begin with starters. These plants have already sprouted and may even have some produce on them. 

Leverage Your Space

If you don’t have a lot of space, that’s OK. Consider container gardens for patios or indoor hydroponic or windowsill gardens. If you do have more space, start in a corner and add plants as your confidence grows. 

2024-11-25T23:17:22Z