Nurturing Wellness: The Cognitive Benefits of Gardening
by Kateryna Voznyuk
On our life-long journeys to leading wholesome and enriching lifestyles, the therapeutic advantages of gardening have emerged as a promising new avenue for older adults to cultivate deep connections with nature, community, and their own sense of wellbeing.
The personal benefits of gardening extend beyond what simply appears to be the physical activity of tending to plants. At baseline, gardening has been established as significantly beneficial for human health by reducing depression and anxiety symptoms, stress, and BMI while increasing physical activity and quality of life (Soga et al., 2016). This article will further explore the profound impact of gardening on mood and cognitive health, unveiling the secrets of how cultivating green spaces can contribute towards cognitive resilience and vitality.
Surrounding Yourself with Scenery:
As easy as it seems, several studies have shown that simply viewing natural settings and plants has beneficial effects on mood and health outcomes compared to plain or urban settings (Sempik et al., 2003). In a pivotal study of 23 hospital patients, those who had a view of a natural environment through their room’s hospital window had shorter postoperative stays and took fewer potent analgesics compared to a group of matched patients whose rooms faced a brick building wall (Ulrich, 1984).
More recently, a similar study compared how having patients listen to their preferred music and having a landscape image on their room’s wall affected their overall satisfaction with their experience after surgery. Patients in these modified rooms reported a more positive postoperative experience— rating higher satisfaction, quality, and overall well-being— than those in standard hospital rooms (Hill et al., 2020). It’s important to note, however, that in this study, landscape imagery was presented with preferred music and not studied separately; this intervention also did not show substantial effects on patients’ pain scores (Hill et al., 2020).
Managing Your Stress with Nature:
Immersing yourself in a garden environment can offer a natural sanctuary from the stressors of daily life. Research suggests that spending time in green spaces can reduce levels of cortisol, the body's primary stress hormone (Hansen et al., 2017). Older adults can reduce the physiological feelings of stress from living in urban settings through exposure to green environments, giving them the valuable opportunity to relax and mentally rejuvenate (Jones et al., 2021).
Growing Plants and Pruning Neurons:
Gardening is a complex activity that engages multiple cognitive processes ranging from planning and problem-solving to sensory perception and motor skills. As older adults immerse themselves in gardening tasks, they stimulate the brain's ability to adapt and form new connections between neurons; specifically, studies have observed increased levels of BDNF— a protein essential for neuronal growth and survival (Park et al., 2019).
At the same time, studies show that regular engagement in gardening activities is associated with improved memory performance and attentional control among older adults (Chang et al., 2021). Older adults with dementia symptoms have similarly shown significantly improved cognitive function after engaging in a therapeutic gardening program (Park et al., 2019). It’s possible this active engagement with gardening fosters neural growth and connectivity, promoting cognitive flexibility and resilience in adults.
Promoting Social Connection:
Gardening is often a communal activity, fostering social connections and a sense of belonging among participants. Whether exchanging gardening tips with fellow enthusiasts or collaborating on community garden projects, older adults can reap the cognitive benefits of social interaction while nurturing their green thumbs (Sugiyama et al., 2018). These social bonds provide emotional support and cognitive stimulation, further enhancing brain wellness.
BC Brain Wellness Program: Gardening and Cooking in Season:
At the BC Brain Wellness Program, we offer Gardening and Cooking in Season— a weekly class hosted by Joanna Wilke that brings together gardeners of all skill levels to share tips, tricks, and recipes for success this summer season. Beyond gardening, this class also looks at ways to improve our diets through cooking in season or growing our own food. No experience is required, nor is having your own garden; all levels of experience are welcomed and valuable to the group!
This group also will be taking a walking tour of the VanDusen Gardens on June 7th from 10am-2pm where folks will picnic, enjoy the scenery, and get to know one another in person! Please register for this in-person summer workshop by following the link here.
Gardening offers a bouquet of cognitive benefits for older adults looking to improve their cognitive and mental health. From nurturing neuroplasticity to fostering social connections, working in green spaces is a holistic approach to enhancing cognitive resilience and well-being. As we tend to our gardens, we cultivate not only nourishing produce and beautiful sceneries, but also the cognitive resilience we need for many more seasons to come.
If you’d like to learn more about gardening’s impact on brain health and well-being, feel free to check out the following resources:
BC Brain Wellness Program’s Class: Gardening and Cooking in Season
Formerly known as “Return to Roots”, this class provided by BC BWP covers a wide array of topics about seasonal gardening and cooking, ranging from vegetables and herbs to flowers and critters we share our spaces with!
Delve into the delicious, healthful, and accessible recipes from the Return to Roots program, ranging from breads and hummus to soups and sweets!
Videos and Documentaries:
"Food for Thought, Gardening for Life" (Lecture) by Joanna Wilke
Discover cost-effective, wholesome, and sustainable gardening and cooking techniques with Joanna Wilke, BC BWP’s very own “Gardening and Cooking in Season” instructor, as she emphasizes the importance of practical skills for reconnecting with nature across generations and cultivating abundant food in limited urban spaces.
A touching video about an elderly Chinese woman who forms a friendship with a house full of young people using her East Vancouver garden.
Books and Articles:
"Why Gardening is Good for Body and Brain" by Dr. Barbara Koltuska-Haskin
Neuropsychologist Dr. Koltuska-Haskin reflects on the personal and research-informed benefits of gardening.
"How Gardening Affects Mental Health" by WebMD Editorial Contributors
WebMD’s review of the effects of gardening in terms of physical and emotional health benefits and risks.
The Well-Gardened Mind: The Restorative Power of Nature by Dr. Sue Stewart-Smith
Additional Resources:
West Coast Seeds: Proudly provides high-quality non-GMO seed selections for organic growing, ethically sourced from sustainable growers around the globe
American Horticultural Therapy Association (AHTA): Shares information, resources, and training programs on horticultural therapy, including how gardening can benefit individuals with various cognitive and neurological conditions
Royal Horticultural Society (RHS): Offers gardening advice, resources, and research on the therapeutic benefits of gardening for mental health and well-being
References:
Chang, Y. S., Lin, Y. J., & Tsai, C. H. (2021). The Relationship between Horticultural Therapy and Cognitive Function in the Elderly: A Cross-Sectional Study. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18(6), 3221.
Hansen, M. M., Jones, R., & Tocchini, K. (2017). Shinrin-Yoku (Forest Bathing) and Nature Therapy: A State-of-the-Art Review. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 14(8), 851.
Hill, A. M., Crisp, C. C., Shatkin-Margolis, A., Tam, T., Yook, E., Kleeman, S., & Pauls, R. N. (2020). The influence of postoperative environment on patient pain and satisfaction: a randomized trial. American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, 223(2), 271.e1–271.e8. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajog.2020.05.006
Jones, R., Tarter, R., & Ross, A. M. (2021). Greenspace Interventions, Stress and Cortisol: A Scoping Review. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18(6), 2802. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18062802
Park, S. A., Lee, A. Y., Park, H. G., & Lee, W. L. (2019). Benefits of Gardening Activities for Cognitive Function According to Measurement of Brain Nerve Growth Factor Levels. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 16(5), 760. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph16050760
Soga, M., Gaston, K. J., & Yamaura, Y. (2016). Gardening is beneficial for health: A meta-analysis. Preventive Medicine Reports, 5, 92–99. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pmedr.2016.11.007
Sugiyama, T., Leslie, E., Giles-Corti, B., & Owen, N. (2018). Associations of neighbourhood greenness with physical and mental health: Do walking, social coherence and local social interaction explain the relationships? Journal of Epidemiology & Community Health, 72(10), 905-910.
Ulrich, R. S. (1984). View through a window may influence recovery from surgery. Science, 224(4647), 420-421.
Yamaura, H., Tsunetsugu, Y., Miyazaki, Y., & Ohira, T. (2019). Gardening is beneficial for health: A meta-analysis. Preventive Medicine Reports, 15, 100955.
Photo used courtesy of Depositphotos.com
