Gardening has been shown to have a positive impact on mental health.
* The field of horticultural therapy uses gardening activities to support people with treatment needs.
* Research suggests that spending time in nature, including gardening, can improve overall well-being. Gardening is more than just a hobby – it’s a way to nurture both ___ and soul.
For many, the act of digging in the dirt, surrounded by the sights and sounds of nature, is a therapeutic experience. As someone who’s spent countless hours tending to their garden, I can attest to the sense of calm and contentment that comes with it. According to AP News, this feeling isn’t just anecdotal – there’s a growing ___ of research that supports the benefits of gardening for mental health.
Karen Haney, a horticultural therapy instructor at UCLA Extension in Long Beach, California, is at the forefront of this field. Her work focuses on using “plant-based and garden-based activities to support people who have identified treatment needs,” a approach that’s gaining recognition for its potential to improve mental health outcomes.
By harnessing the therapeutic power of gardening, individuals can develop new coping mechanisms and improve their overall well-being.
Source: Visit website
This Aug. 21, 2025, image provided by Jessica Damiano shows a pair of hands holding a mound of soil on Long Island, N.Y. (Jessica Damiano via AP)
If you spend any time gardening, you probably understand what I mean when I say it feels good — despite the lifting, sweating and straining involved. Yes, exercise is good for our bodies, but there’s something about digging in the dirt while listening to a bird soundtrack that lifts my spirits. Even the scent of the soil and mulch makes me happy.
