Gardening may improve your health and lifespan: Dr Mark Hyman shares 6 research-backed ways how that works

Garden keeps our senses sharp, improves mental and physical health, and lowers risk of lifestyle diseases, all leading to a longer and healthier life.

A lovely garden is soothing to the eyes and therapeutic for the soul. And according to Dr Mark Hyman, functional medicine expert and founder of the Cleveland Clinic, it might be the secret to adding years to our lives.

As the world around is being remodelled into a concrete jungle, coming across a true garden is becoming ever more rare. But Dr Hyman believes that there are genuine health benefits that one may get from maintaining them.

Taking to Instagram on July 2, the physician shared six research-backed ways in which gardening helps with longevity. They are presented as follows.

1. Better cognitive health

Gardening is an activity that involves physical labour as well as the cohesive use of many of our senses. And the outcome of it is something that is aesthetically and sensorially pleasing. As such, Dr Hyman pointed out, “Regular gardening has been associated with better cognitive functioning, likely through a mix of movement, mood support, and mental stimulation.”

2. Lower stress

Being surrounded by the greens has long been known to lower stress levels and improve mood. Since they are beneficial for longevity, the association between them and gardening is not to be dismissed.

3. Improved mental health

In the words of the physician, “Research also links gardening to improvements in depression, anxiety, and overall life satisfaction.”

4. Better weight management

Gardening is a physically demanding endeavour that requires a lot of movement. As such, for people leading a sedentary lifestyle, it can be considered a form of exercise. As Dr Hyman stated, “Regular gardening has been associated with a healthier body weight, especially when you do it with others.”

5. More time in the sun

Taking care of plants means that a person is experiencing more sunlight themselves, which is much needed for boosting longevity. “Sunlight can help increase vitamin D levels, vital for bone health, immune function, and mood,” explained Dr Hyman.

6. Lower risk of lifestyle diseases

“In older adults, gardening is associated with better cardiovascular health, lower odds of diabetes, and a lower risk of dying in the next decade,” pointed out the physician, all of which improve the chances of an individual experiencing a longer and healthier life.

Note to readers: This article is for informational purposes only and not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your doctor with any questions about a medical condition.

This report is based on user-generated content from social media. HT.com has not independently verified the claims and does not endorse them.

Dr Mark Hyman, MD, is a practising family physician and an internationally recognised leader, speaker, educator, and advocate in the field of Functional Medicine. He is a co-founder and the Chief Medical Officer of Function Health, founder and Director of The UltraWellness Centre, founder of the Cleveland Clinic Centre for Functional Medicine and Board Member for The Institute of Functional Medicine.