The Psychology of the Garden: Psychological Benefits of

Gardening

Prepared by Mark FosterMaster Gardener

Documented Benefits of Being in a Garden Setting

Cognitive Benefits• Enhanced cognitive functioning

• Improved concentration

• Stimulated memory

• Improved goal achievement

• Improved attention capacity

Psychological Benefits

• Improved quality of life

• Improved sense of well-being and self esteem

• Reduced stress and anxiety

• Improved mood

• Improved personal satisfaction and sense of pride

Psychological Benefits (con’d)

• Alleviated depression

• Improved sense of personal worth

• Increased feelings of calm and relaxation

• Increased sense of stability

eartheasy.com

“One long-term study followed nearly 3000 older adults for 16 years, tracking incidence of all kinds of dementia and assessing a variety of lifestyle factors. Researchers found daily gardening to represent the single biggest risk reduction for dementia, reducing incidence by 36%”.

“... people who had been diagnosed with depression, persistent low mood, or "bipolar II disorder" spent six hours a week growing flowers and vegetables.After three months, half of the participants had experienced a measurable improvement in their depression symptoms. What's more, their mood continued to be better three months after the gardening program ended. The researchers suggest that the novelty of gardening may have been enough to jolt some of the participants out of their doldrums, but some experts have a much more radical explanation for how gardening might ease depression”.

Exposure to specific bacteria in the environment, already believed to have antidepressant

qualities, could increase learning behavior, according to research presented at the 110th General Meeting of the American Society for

Microbiology in San Diego.

The antidepressant properties of M.vaccae were discovered accidentally while being used for

experimental human lung cancer treatment by cancer researcher Mary O’Brien at the Royal

Marsden Hospital in London, England. O’Brien’s team observed not only fewer symptoms of

cancer, but also improvements in their patients’ vitality, emotional health and mental abilities.

Michigan State University

Gardening has emerged in recent years as a scientifically proven

stress reliever. Reducing irritability, headaches, stomach aches, heart attacks and helps prevent worsening pre-existing

conditions in the body.

A recent study conducted by Bakker Spalding has found that 88% of

people find that mental wellbeing is a key benefit for spending time in the

garden.

1. Looking after plants gives us a sense of responsibility.

2. Gardening allows us all to be nurturers.

3. Gardening keeps us connected to other living things.

4. Gardening helps us relax and let go.

5. Working in nature releases happy hormones.

6. Being amongst plants and flowers reminds us to live in the present moment.

7. Gardening help us come to terms with that most universal of anxieties: death.

8. Some aspects of gardening allow us to vent anger and aggression…

9. ...whilst others allow us to feel in control.

10. Last but not least, gardening is easy.

Social Benefits• Improved social integration

• Increased social interaction

• Improved group cohesiveness

gardendallas.org

… gardens bring people together from a wide variety of backgrounds (age, race, culture, social class)

Social and therapeutic horticulture is the process of using plants and gardens to improve physical and mental health, as well as communication and thinking skills.

Physical Benefits

Physical Benefits (con’d)

Examples of Pioneering Research

Dr. Robert Ulrich (Texas A & M) conducted research on gall bladder patients’ recovery after surgery

- Patients with a landscape view rather than that of a brick wall were released from the hospital sooner and recovered faster

Gardening Matters ofMinnesota

Being in natural places fosters recovery from mental fatigue,

improves outlook and life satisfaction, helps us to cope with and recover from stress, improves our ability to recover from illness

and injury, restores concentration, and improves productivity

Another recent study found increased levels of dopamine in the brain that can create a state of bliss when produce is harvested,

smelled, or even just looked at.

Respondents of numerous surveys indicate that many of their strongest

early memories involve being outdoors either alone or with family and friends.

Horticultural Therapyis “the engagement of a client in horticultural activities facilitated by a trained therapist to achieve to receive specific and documented

treatment goals.” (ahta.org)

- Physical rehabilitation- Eating disorders- Anxiety- ADD- Dementia

Therapeutic Landscapes Network

One study in San Francisco showed that 29 percent of prisoners were rearrested within four months of their release, while only 6 percent of those who partook in a gardening program were re-arrested."

"Horticultural therapy stimulates thought, exercises the body and encourages an awareness of the external environment. Moreover, the clients who have benefited from this type of therapy report a renewed desire to live, decreased anxiety and improved self-worth."

Therapeutic horticulture – in contrast to Horticultural Therapy - is a process that uses plants and plant-related activities

through which participants strive to improve their well-being through active or

passive involvement.

Loma Linda University Medical Center East Campus Room’s

serene patio garden

How to create your own backyard therapeutic garden

Tips for creating a therapy garden of your own:

- Include vegetable- and fruit-producing plants

- Plant herbs that promote good health, and add fragrance

- Place a small bench in a shady spot of the garden,

- Spend a few minutes each day in your garden.

- Make gardens accessible to those with physical

limitations by using raised beds.

Key Elements

- Quiet, serene sanctuary- Sensory in nature- Comfortable seating- Low maintenance plants

Therapy gardens can help patients regain mobility

after surgery or a stroke and help

increase flexibility, hand strength, and

eye-hand coordination in

older adults.

Recent Developments

- Interest in Backyard, Community and School Gardens Heightened Past 8 years - White House Garden (‘Get Moving’ Theme)

The National Gardening Association reports that growing food is the fastest growing lawn/gardening category since 2009. Participation increased to nearly

44 million households in 2014.

Biophilia is a hypothesis suggesting an instinctive bond between human

beings and other living systems (coined by Edward O. Wilson)

Healing Gardens

Healing Gardens are a Growing Trend

- Hospitals- Rehabilitation Centers- Schools- Parks- Shopping Centers

My Healing Garden

Easy toBuild

- No soil amendments

- Inexpensive- Effective- Easy to upkeep- No guessing- Simple

April 22, 2016

May 30, 2016

Get out there and garden!

Thank You!

References"Benefits." The Social License (n.d.): n. pag. GardeningMatters.org. Web. <www.gardeningmatters.org>.

Daunton, Julie, and Lauren McGuire. "What Are the Physical and Mental Benefits of Gardening?" MSU Extension. N.p., 19 May 2014. Web. 19 May 2016.

Julia Savacool, Special for USA TODAY. "Health Benefits Bloom by Digging in the Garden." USA Today. Gannett, 11 May 2014. Web. 19 May 2016. <http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2014/05/11/health-benefits-gardening/7971047/>.

Rayner, Sarah. "Petal Power: Why Is Gardening So Good For Our Mental Health?" 10 Ways Gardens Are Good for Your Health. Psychology Today, 13 May 2015. Web. 19 May 2016. <www.psychologytoday.com>.

"Benefits of Community Gardening." Benefits of Community Gardening. N.p., n.d. Web. 26 May 2016. <http://www.gardendallas.org/benefits.htm>.

"What Is Social and Therapeutic Horticulture?" Thrive, What Is Social and Therapeutic Horticulture, Gardneing to Help Disabled People. N.p., n.d. Web. 26 May 2016. <http://www.thrive.org.uk/what-is-social-and-therapeutic-horticulture.aspx>.

ReferencesJacobs, Robin. "Eartheasy." Eartheasy Blog 6 Unexpected Health Benefits of Gardening Comments. N.p., 18 Sept. 2014. Web. 26 May 2016. <http://learn.eartheasy.com/2014/09/6-unexpected-health-benefits-of-gardening/>.

Harding, Anne, and Copyright Health Magazine 2011. "Why Gardening Is Good for Your Health." CNN. Cable News Network, 08 July 2011. Web. 26 May 2016. <http://www.cnn.com/2011/HEALTH/07/08/why.gardening.good/>.

"Can Gardening Make You Smarter." ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, n.d. Web. 26 May 2016. <https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/05/100524143416.htm>.

ELIADES, ANGELO. "WELLBEING GARDENING – GARDENING FOR THE BODY, MIND & SPIRIT." Permaculturenews.org. N.p., 5 June 2013. Web. 26 May 2016. <http%3A%2F%2Fpermaculturenews.org%2F2013%2F06%2F05%2Fwellbeing-gardening-gardening-for-the-body-mind-spirit%2F>.

Evans, Miranda. "The Best Benefit of Gardening? Mental Health Improvement." The Telegraph. Telegraph Media Group, 10 Oct. 2015. Web. 26 May 2016. <http://www.telegraph.co.uk/gardening/gardening-events/the-best-benefit-of-gardening--improving-our-mental-health/>.

Julia Savacool, Special for USA TODAY. "Health Benefits Bloom by Digging in the Garden." USA Today. Gannett, 11 May 2014. Web. 26 May 2016. <http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2014/05/11/health-benefits-gardening/7971047/>.

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