Healing with Soil: How gardening and nature improve the body.

There is something magical and curative in the powers of nature. Flowers perpetuate themselves with their seeds, repeating the cycle of life. Nature is forgiving, as one plant dies another can grow in its place. The life cycle of plants provides us with hope of life renewed and a chance to begin again. — M.H.

Horticultural Therapy stimulates thought, exercises the body and encourages an awareness of the external environment through the use of “living” materials— flowering plants, fruits, vegetables and herbs.

Spending time in nature helps improve our attention. According to researchers, nature restores our minds by attracting our attention without effort (unlike that spreadsheet you’ve been staring at). Using nature for therapy is also promising. Researchers found children with ADHD were more focused following walks in a park compared with walks in an urban setting.

Here’s what soil can do for your body:

-Reduced symptoms of depression and anxiety

-Decrease in reported stress and mood disturbances

-Decrease in BMI

-Higher reported sense of community

-Increased physical activity

-Improved cognitive function

🍃  SOIL in 2022 #horticulturaltherapy #antidepressant #moodenhancer