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.
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.”
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.
In the words of the physician, “Research also links gardening to improvements in depression, anxiety, and overall life satisfaction.”
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.”
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.
“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.
Debapriya Bhattacharya is a Content Producer at Hindustan Times. He started his career in 2022, working in newsrooms in beats like education, US news, trending stories, and entertainment. In his new role in the lifestyle desk, he seeks to deliver a balanced blend of research-driven reporting and creative storytelling from health and recipes to art and culture. Science, philosophy, food and pop culture are what pump his veins and help bring heart to his stories. Debapriya tries to see out subjects that will allow him and readers to explore new frontiers and improve the quality of life for all. The explorations can be both external and internal, as thoughts seek to be as chaotic as the greater universe. As a citizen of the world, Debapriya has been fascinated by the lives of people across the globe throughout time. His curiosity leads him to explore new linguistic and cultural landscapes to broaden his horizons and deepen his understanding of global narratives. Beyond the newsroom, Debapriya loves to participate in debate and theatre, spaces that he considers to be holy grounds for nuance and self-expression. A graduate from Ashutosh College, University of Calcutta, Debapriya completed his Master's degree from the same university in 2022. An ambiverted bibliophile, he loves his solitude as much as he adores stimulating conversations. And despite his reverence for tech, libraries continue to be his favourite place for research.Read More
