Given that gardening incorporates exposure to elements naturally promoting the production of serotonin, it can directly lead to a reduction of anxiety and depression symptoms, improved attention, interruptions of negative ruminations (also known as harmful thought spirals), and decreased cortisol (stress hormone) levels for those who garden (Elmer, J. 2019). This is why gardening can be used as a strategy for individuals to periodically release steam. For these reasons, gardening is an effective mental health treatment approach, often medically referred to as horticultural therapy.
I encourage you to find ways to let your steam out on a regular basis and explore how gardening could serve as that release for you. If you’re wanting some guidance on how to get started, check out resources available through the local agencies listed in the Education and Advocacy section of the Directory on pages 11-13. You can also explore the American Horticultural Therapy Association website at https://www.ahta.org to find more helpful information. Whether you consider yourself to be novice or wellseasoned when it comes to gardening, reach into the earth, plant your seeds of wellness, and watch them take root.
References
Elmer, J. Medically Reviewed By Legg, T.J. 2019. How Gardening Helps My Anxiety and 4 Steps to Get Started. Healthline. Paddock, C. 2007. Soil Bacteria Work in Similar Way to Antidepressants. Medical News Today.
44 | Spring 2021 | Cultivate SA