University of Nevada, Reno Master Gardener Intern Ingrid Angelini is always looking out for ways for all of us to stay healthy. Here are some of her tips on improving your and your family’s health by gardening.
Did your mom ever say to you, “Go outside and play,” when you were a kid? Did you play in the mud, dirt, or sandbox? Did you love doing it? If so, that would be fortunate, as this kind of activity has been linked to a reduction in future health problems, including allergies and autoimmune disorders.
It was found that children who grow their own food are more likely to eat fruits and vegetables, show higher levels of knowledge of nutrition and are more likely to continue healthy eating habits throughout their lives.
While gardening alone can increase those qualities of life and health previously mentioned, doing so with friends and family fosters bonds, and spreads well-being among participants. Sharing experiences can make them seem richer, and thus, more enjoyable. What happens then, is that we have another neurotransmitter, Dopamine, which kicks in, and puts in motion, the desire to repeat the experience. It’s the same internal chemical mechanism that leads to addiction. In that way, gardening with others can certainly help us to keep social, an important activity to maintain brain health.
It essentially comes down to the chemistry in one’s brain, as was previously mentioned. Serotonin is a happy chemical, a natural anti-depressant. Dopamine is the feel-good neurotransmitter. It contributes to feelings of pleasure and satisfaction as part of the reward system. And that is why it just feels good to be in the garden. One study revealed that daily gardening can reduce the risk of dementia by 36%. Evidence exists that growing plants enhances the brain. If our plants are growing, our brains are growing.Continuation of the story if text extends beyond the bottom of the image. This section will reach all the way across the page. Keep in mind that you can move the link button below this content to give you a little more room in the first section of this story.