10 Surprising Health Benefits of Gardening​ for Mind and Body (and Simple Tips for Beginners)

As spring approaches and nature awakens, you might be feeling inspired to get dirty. But we’re not talking about spring cleaning. 

We’re talking about “down-in-the-dirt” dirty. The kind that only comes with digging your hands into rich, fertile soil. 

For some, planting a garden is one of the first signs of warmer weather. But gardening does much more than just add curb appeal or make your yard prettier. 

It’s an engaging, satisfying activity. And it comes loaded with benefits, for both your mind and your body. 

Let’s take a look at some of the unexpected benefits of gardening, plus some simple tips to get you started with this year’s blooms. 

10 Surprising Benefits of Gardening

Gardening is much more than just growing beautiful plants. It’s also a fun and effective way to improve your physical, emotional, and mental health. 

Here are ten ways that gardening can enhance your well-being. 

1. Regular Exercise

The rewards of gardening might be relaxing: sitting in your garden, enjoying pretty blooms and lush greenery, and watching butterflies, birds, and other creatures make a home for themselves. 

But getting there? That’s a real workout! 

From hauling bags of soil, to digging, planting, watering, and weeding, gardening provides a full-body workout that can improve your strength and endurance. 

Unlike some forms of exercise, gardening engages your entire body. You’re bending, stretching, squatting, and lifting—just to name a few moves—and building up your strength, endurance, and flexibility. Even lighter gardening tasks, such as pruning, keep your body moving and burning calories. 

And best of all, you’re getting healthy exercise without even thinking about it!

2. Healthier Diet

Want an inexpensive way to get healthy, fresh, organic foods? Skip the pricey farmer’s market and grow your own. 

Depending on your plant hardiness zone, you can grow fruits, vegetables, and herbs in your own garden. Pick some of your favorites, or get creative and explore new foods and recipes. 

Having easy access to fresh fruits and vegetables can boost your intake of essential nutrients, like vitamins and minerals. And let’s be honest. Homegrown cucumbers, just-picked berries, and fresh oregano taste better than anything from the store! 

Plus, you’ll have complete control of what goes into your food—no pesticides, no chemicals, just fresh, delicious produce straight from your garden to your plate. 

3. More Sunshine = More Vitamin D

It’s not just your plants that thrive in the sunshine; you do, too! 

Spending time in your garden, whether you’re working in it or simply enjoying it, is an excellent way to boost your exposure to sunlight. And your body relies on that sunshine to produce vitamin D. 

This essential nutrient: 

• Helps absorb calcium, strengthening bones and teeth
• Supports your immune system
• Slows bone loss 

And low levels of vitamin D have been linked to depression and fatigue, so getting enough is important for your mental health, too.

Vitamin D works best when it teams up with another essential nutrient. Vitamin K2 ensures that calcium is directed to where it’s needed—your bones and teeth—while keeping it away from where it could actually cause damage, such as arteries and soft tissue.

Since many people are deficient in vitamin K2, we recommend this high-potency, optimally sourced K2 supplement from Just Thrive. It also contains vitamin D3, in the same form that your body absorbs from the sunlight (and is hard to get enough of, even with time outdoors), for a double dose of vitamin goodness in every capsule!

4. Improved Mood and Mental Health

Gardening isn’t just good for your body. It has significant benefits for your mind, too! 

Research shows that connecting with nature—like working in your garden—can produce positive emotions such as happiness and calmness. Spending time outdoors has also been linked to lower levels of anxiety and depression. 

You’re not just cultivating your plants; you’re cultivating a healthier, happier mind!

5. Lower Stress Levels

Speaking of gardening’s mental health benefits, here’s another one: it’s a natural stress reliever! 

The repetitive motions of gardening—digging, weeding, snipping—can help quiet your mind. Add in the sensory process, and the time you spend working in your garden can feel like you’re meditating. Studies also show that gardening reduces cortisol levels, the “stress hormone,” which helps quiet your mind and reduce tension. 

So the next time you feel your stress spiking, head outside, dig your hands into the dirt, and let nature soothe you! 

6. Better Gut Health

Nurture your garden, nurture your gut! 

Digging in the dirt exposes you to the wide variety of “good” bacteria found in soil. These beneficial microbes are how our ancestors got spore probiotics, which support your gut, immune, and overall health. 

Unfortunately, due to things like modern farming practices and environmental toxins, soil today is not as rich and diverse as it once was. Or, factors like modern hygiene and urbanization mean we are simply not exposed to it enough. 

So, while you’ll encounter some of these health-promoting bacteria as you garden, and that’s a great thing, if you are worried about getting enough, a spore probiotic supplement can help.

We’re big fans of Just Thrive Probiotic, an award-winning product that contains four DNA-verified, clinically researched spore probiotic strains. And because spore probiotics are naturally protected by an endospore shell, your probiotic is guaranteed to “arrive alive” in your gut microbiome, ready to get to work! Together, these beneficial bacteria support healthy digestion, a balanced immune response, and total-body wellness. 

And here’s an added gut health bonus. The fresh produce you grow in your garden is full of fiber (food for your gut microbes), another essential for maintaining your digestive health. 

7. Stronger Heart Health

Seeing the results of your work in the garden doesn’t just make your heart happy; it makes it healthy, too. 

Gardening gets your body moving: digging, raking, and hauling bags of soil or fertilizer. This type of moderate activity brings plenty of heart-healthy benefits. 

• Stronger heart muscle
• Lower blood pressure
• Improved circulation
• Reduced risk of heart disease

Plus, reducing your stress, another key benefit of gardening, also helps improve your cardiac health. 

Your garden won’t just look great; it’ll make your heart stronger, too. 

8. Enhanced Brain Function

You already know gardening is a physical workout, but here’s a happy surprise: it’s a mental workout, too. 

In fact, research shows that regular gardening can reduce the risk of dementia by up to 36%. 

Just think of all the brain activity that goes into gardening. From choosing the right plants to remembering when to water, it’s an activity that constantly requires you to use your memory and problem-solving skills. 

Designing a beautiful garden even taps into your creativity, as you decide on the most appealing colors, textures, and plant combinations. 

Your garden will flourish, and so will your mind.

9. Better Sleep Quality

Looking for quality zzz’s? You may find them in your garden.

All that physical exercise—digging, planting, and weeding—can help you get better sleep. And it’s not just about how long you sleep. You may even find yourself falling asleep more quickly and falling into a deeper, more restful sleep. 

Plus, regular exposure to sunlight can help regulate your body’s circadian rhythm—your sleep/wake cycle. It’s nature’s remedy for better sleep!

10. Stronger Social Connections

Sure, you can garden solo—but why? 

Community gardens, gardening clubs, and even online plant groups can help you connect with others who share your love for nature. Local parks often need volunteers to help keep them looking beautiful. You can even swap gardening help with a friend, working in each other’s gardens and enjoying uninterrupted conversation. 

It’s a great way to bond with old friends, create new friendships, exchange knowledge, and—most importantly—enjoy your favorite hobby.

Gardening Tips for Beginners

Ready to garden up a storm?

If this is your first outdoor space, or if it’s been a while since you spent time amongst your plants, these beginner-friendly tips will help you find success in the dirt. You’ll grow a thriving, beautiful garden in no time! 

• Know your hardiness zone. We mentioned this earlier, but this is invaluable advice for new gardeners. Not every plant can survive in every environment. Set yourself up for success by picking plants that thrive where you live. 
• Get to know your plant people. Don’t just buy plants. Talk to the employees, or even fellow shoppers, at your local nurseries. Let them know that you’re just starting out, and ask for their best gardening tips. It’s a great way to make new friends and get invaluable advice. 
• Start off small. Don’t overwhelm yourself. Begin with a few plants, and let yourself expand from there when you feel ready. 
• Choose easy plants. With a little bit of research or a quick conversation with your new gardening buddies, you can easily find out which plants grow easily in your area. 
• Pick the right spot. Pay close attention to the informational tags on your plants. Some plants will flourish in the sun, while others need more shade. Watch where the sun goes so you can pick just the right spot in your yard. 
• Use quality tools. You don’t need to go overboard with your first garden, but you will need a few basics. Invest in your essentials—a trowel, pruning scissors, kneeling bench—so they last through several gardening seasons. 
• Be patient! Gardening takes time. You might make a few mistakes, but it’s all part of the learning experience. Don’t stress out over imperfections. Have fun as you learn! 

Final Thoughts

A flourishing garden doesn’t just look pretty. It’s a rewarding hobby that boosts your physical and mental well-being.

Start small, be patient, and follow a few simple tips, and you’ll create a beautiful, thriving garden that nourishes your body, mind, and spirit. 

Happy gardening! 

You May Also Like…