Consider the many health benefits of gardening

Most gardeners know from experience the benefits they feel from working in their gardens. These moments are what keep us going back season to season, year after year.

As author Sue Stuart-Smith writes in "The Well-Gardened Mind: The Restorative Power of Nature," "Gardening is more accessible than other creative endeavors, such as painting and music, because you are halfway there before you start; the seed has all its potential within it – the gardener simply helps unlock it."

Gardening rewards us by igniting our senses. The scents of flowers and herbs wafting through the air, the calls of birds and bees going about their daily business, the taste of the season's first cherry tomato straight off the vine, the dazzling rainbow of colorful flowers or the feel of earthiness in the soil as we dig up the dirt all contribute to our feeling of calm and connectiveness.

Scientific studies have found benefits that can help improve physical and mental health. This has led to forming groups that work with physically and mentally disabled individuals using techniques practiced in gardening to improve their lives. Many undergoing physical rehabilitation have improved mobility and coordination. Those struggling with their abilities to focus such as ADHD patients can learn over time to concentrate on the task at hand. Studies have found people experiencing mood disorders or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) can alter EEG recordings, and reduce stress, fear, anger and sadness as well as blood pressure by working with plants.

Let's look at some of the findings of gardening's benefits for all of us:

Focusing on immediate tasks and details can calm the mind away from negative thoughts and feelings, giving us a more peaceful and content frame of mind.

Seeing plants grow and thrive under our guidance leads to feelings of accomplishment for our efforts.

Paying full attention to a single activity can be difficult at times in this age of technological bombardment. Gardening helps us concentrate on what is right in front of us without getting distracted. This concentration can transfer to other situations over time and studies show that outdoor activities are a benefit to everyone.

Through digging, weeding, raking and hauling, our bodies move several different muscle groups which help improve heart rate, muscle strength, immunity and overall mental wellbeing. Reducing anxiety and depression can be a result.

Not everything in the garden goes as planned. Learning from our mistakes and pushing forward to rectify problems or begin the project anew helps forge stronger resolve to get good results.

Even as our gardens slowly move into dormancy over the winter, we are still engaged with looking backward at the successes and challenges of the past year and at the same time are invigorated by planning changes, improvements and additions we want to implement in the year ahead.

Skagit County Master Gardeners provide scientific and practical information as well as reference materials through our affiliation with Washington State University. For more information, please visit our blog at https://www.skagitmg.org/blog/.

Washington State University Extension helps people develop leadership skills and use research-based knowledge to improve economic status and quality of life. Cooperating agencies: Washington State University, U.S. Department of Agriculture and Skagit County. Extension programs and policies are available to all without discrimination.