April 30, 2025
Spring has breathed fresh air into all that we can see, hear, touch, smell and taste. From brown and barren to a brilliant palette of every color, the earth has awakened yet again.
What better way to celebrate the renewal of life than by digging into a garden?
The rewards of gardening are widely known in the medical community and well supported by research. But one doesn’t have to be a doctor or scientist to know that “purest form of human pleasures,” to quote Francis Bacon’s description of a garden.
From the smallest plot (or pot!) to the grandest acres, a garden is deeply rooted in myriad benefits for body, mind and soul, particularly for older adults.
Physical Benefits of Gardening
- Exercise. While it’s not running a marathon, tending a garden provides plenty of exercise in the form of digging, planting, weeding and watering, all of which help with strength, endurance, flexibility, fine and gross motor skills, balance and coordination.
- Vitamin D. Spending time outdoors in the sun produces Vitamin D in the body, essential for bone health, immune function and healthy muscles. Be sure to wear adequate sunscreen and protective clothing when spending time in the sun.
- Cardiovascular health. Regular gardening is linked to decreased risk of heart disease, high blood pressure and stroke.
- Better nutrition. Growing your own fruits and vegetables ensures fresh, healthy eating – and nothing tastes as good! Growing your own also saves time and money in the grocery store.
- Improved sleep. Physical exertion in the fresh air has a positively tiring effect, bringing about calm, tranquility and better-quality sleep.
Mental and Emotional Benefits
- Reduced stress. Gardening has a profound relaxing effect, reducing anxiety and lowering stress hormones such as cortisol and adrenaline.
- Enhanced mood. Far from the chaos and clatter of the external world, a garden is an oasis of natural serenity, promoting feelings of peace and contentment. What’s more, gardening releases “feel good” hormones such as serotonin and dopamine.
- Social connection. Gardens grow more than plants; they also cultivate bonds with others. Whether it’s working in concert on a community plot, sharing tips with other enthusiasts or simply admiring a friend or stranger’s efforts, a garden brings people together.
- Creativity. Like an artist’s easel, a garden provides a unique opportunity for self-expression. Plant choices, design, colors, patterns, heights and more are all at the discretion of those who bring a garden to vibrant life.
- Sense of accomplishment. It’s immensely gratifying to nurture a garden and watch it respond to the fruits of our labor.In addition to purpose and reward, gardening also builds confidence and self-esteem.
Cognitive Benefits
- Builds memory skills. Gardening demands great focus in both planning and maintenance. Planning involves an awareness of planting cycles, patterning and spacing, enhancing cognition, while maintenance requires careful attention to watering schedules, pruning, winterizing, etc.
- Encourages mindfulness. Gardening is a full sensory experience. Totally immersed in sights, textures, aromas, tastes and even sounds (watering, clipping), a gardener stays in each delightful moment.
- Reduces the risk of dementia. A study from the National Institutes of Health determined that regular gardening decreased the incidence of dementia by a whopping 36 percent!
Gardening at Lathrop
Much of the Lathrop community’s natural beauty stems from residents who are passionate about cultivating their own townhome gardens as well as tending the community plots on both our Easthampton and Northampton campuses. Residents in Enhanced Independent Living at the Inn enjoy delicious, nutritious vegetables fresh from the Easthampton garden!
Life at Lathrop thrives.
Schedule a tour today!