Gardening makes people happy. It brings joy. And now science proves it.
Gardening Makes You Happy – Science Proves It
I’m a little biased. I made a magnet for my refrigerator that says, “My garden is my happy place” and I mean every single word of it. I’m happiest when I’m outside, but I’m ecstatic when I get to garden for a few hours each day. The soil, the sun, the birds, the flowers, the bees…it just makes my soul sing.
So I wasn’t surprised to see a headline on my Facebook feed this week about gardening making you happy – and science proving it. The science? A little soil bacterium called Mycobacterium vaccae activates serotonin-releasing neurons in the brain. That means more serotonin circulating among the neurons, and more for them to pick up and use where needed. Happy bacteria! Healthy bacteria! Dirt is good for you!
Some of the fascinating results of the study cited in the article in Discovery Magazine include:
- Inhaling m.vaccae gets it into your system.
- You can inhale it by walking through the woods, gardening, or playing outside.
- Tests indicate the bacterium eases depression, anxiety, and inflammation.
The original research citation: University of Bristol
What I find amusing is the reactions and comments under articles about the study. “Eew! Gross!” people write – as if their bodies are completely sterile areas.
Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you know that your body is teeming with bacteria. It colonizes your skin, your organs, your intestines. Without it, you would die. Yes, you read that right. Some bacteria help you digest your food; others keep you healthy!
I’m not surprised that scientists have identified a mood-enhancing bacteria lurking in the soil. A quick walk in the woods nearly always makes me happy, and gardening? One day playing in the dirt is as good as a present to boost my mood.
Here’s to bacteria! Go good bugs!
Jeanne Grunert is a certified Virginia Master Gardener and the author of several gardening books. Her garden articles, photographs, and interviews have been featured in The Herb Companion, Virginia Gardener, and Cultivate, the magazine of the National Farm Bureau. She is the founder of The Christian Herbalists group and a popular local lecturer on culinary herbs and herbs for health, raised bed gardening, and horticulture therapy.
I love to see how our hobbies impact our health and wellness. Thanks for pointing this out. I may have to go plant something now!
I definitely think gardening makes me happy. Especially seeing beautiful flowers and plants grow from tiny little seeds. It gives me a great feeling of accomplishment to know that I took good care of them to help them grow. Thanks so much for sharing at Inspiration Thursday!
I love gardening ! Wish I had a space for that. Interesting to know that people take topics like this and do their research. It’s great to be co-hosting with at #HomeMattersParty.
I can’t wait until I can start gardening! The oaks haven’t sprouted yet, so I’m still waiting! 🙂 #HomeMattersParty
This is so true! I am so happy when I have my hands in the dirt gardening! Can’t wait to get outside! #HomeMattersParty
Interesting…I gardened-no, I slaved- for years in m mother’s garden, but I was never so happy as the day I got my own home and didn’t have to do it anymore! I do enjoy being outdoors, though. The sunshine is invigorating, as well as if I’m lucky enough to find a patch of woods in my little bit of suburbia. Thanks for co-hosting with me at the #HomeMattersParty !
We love to garden! And it truly is a stress-buster. A good days work in the garden makes you sleep very well at night. 🙂 Nice to see the science behind it. Thanks for being a co-host and sharing at the #HomeMattersParty 🙂
~Lorelai
Life With Lorelai
How cool! I’ll be the first to admit that I have a black thumb but the one year that my son and I grew tomatoes together was so much fun, plus he actually ate them! Fun to co-host with you at #HomeMattersParty !