Gardening and Farming May Improve Mental Health, Self-Worth: Study

Green social prescribing programs that connect people with nature activities reduce anxiety and increase happiness comparable to other therapies.

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People seeking a mental health boost might just find the answer in the great outdoors.

New research shows that when doctors “prescribe” nature-based activities, such as gardening and farming, patients experience significant reductions in anxiety and depression while reporting substantial increases in overall happiness.

“There is also something to be said for connecting with nature in the company of other people who live in the same place as you,” Peter Coventry, professor of environment and mental health in the Department of Health Sciences at the University of York, said in a statement.

Benefits of Nature-Based Activities

Green social prescribing is a type of treatment that encourages people to engage in activities in nature, such as community gardening and outdoor exercise, to improve their mental and physical health.

A new UK study found that green social prescribing significantly improved life satisfaction scores and reduced anxiety.

Published in Health & Social Care in the Community, researchers evaluated a green social prescribing program that ran between February 2022 and March 2023 in Humber and North Yorkshire.

Participants were surveyed for their overall life satisfaction and well-being, and scored on the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale for symptoms of anxiety and depression.

After doing outdoor activities in nature, participants reported:

• Life satisfaction scores increased to 6.67 from an average of 5.10.
• Feelings of personal worth improved to 6.84 from 5.36.
• Happiness levels rose to 6.71 from 5.15.
• Anxiety levels decreased to 4.06 from 5.35.

“Anxiety and depression can often be born out of loneliness and feelings of disconnectedness, so it makes sense that taking part in shared activities close to home—especially those that involve caring for and improving your local environment—can help lift mood and reduce anxiety,” Coventry said.

Participants who engaged in green activities for longer periods of three to four months experienced greater improvements than those who participated for only one to four weeks. Longer participation led to an average increase of 1.27 points in life satisfaction scores and a 1.35-point improvement in happiness.

According to researchers, the reported improvements were similar to those achieved with short-term cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)—which is one-on-one therapy sessions ranging from six weeks to a year or more—suggesting activities in nature could complement or potentially serve as alternatives to traditional therapy approaches. CBT is a form of psychotherapy that helps people identify and change negative thinking and behavioral patterns.

The type of activity engaged in also influenced the degree of mental health improvement.

Participants in horticultural and care-farming activities showed greater improvements in their sense of worth and happiness than those engaged in sports or creative activities. The positive effects were consistent across all age groups, from 18 to 85, and across both sexes.

“This intervention might not work for everyone, but through an initial exploratory conversation, a social prescriber will discuss with a patient or user of the service if nature-based activities would be suited to them,” Trish Darcy, research associate from the university’s mental health and addiction research group, said in the statement.

How Nature Benefits Mental Health

Spending time in nature helps calm your mind and reduce stress by giving your brain a break from constant noise, screens, and everyday pressures, Sanam Hafeez, a neuropsychologist and director at Comprehend the Mind in New York, told The Epoch Times.

“Natural settings, like parks or gardens, help people feel more relaxed and focused because they’re less overwhelming than busy city environments,” she said.

Activities such as walking, hiking, or gardening get the body moving and boost chemicals in the brain—such as endorphins and serotonin—that improve mood and energy.

Sunshine exposure during outdoor activities helps the body produce vitamin D, which plays a significant role in maintaining mood stability and supporting overall health.

“Nature also helps you feel more present and mindful, which can lower anxiety and stop negative thoughts from spiraling,” Hafeez stated.

Psychologically, being in nature can facilitate mindfulness, Dr. Mike McGrath, board-certified psychiatrist and chief clinical officer at The Ohana Addiction Treatment Center in Hawaii, told The Epoch Times. “This can help us feel more relaxed and calm.”

However, he said, while outdoor physical activity can be beneficial, moderate to intense exercise, such as high-intensity interval training, could actually increase stress hormone (cortisol) levels. “Sports, in particular, can be competitive,” he added. “Which can also increase pressure and stress and raise levels of cortisol.”

Although exercising can be helpful for mental and physical health, he added, taking a relaxing nature walk is “simply more calming” than many forms of exercise.

Patients can access green social prescribing programs through their primary care providers or by speaking with a “link worker” who can facilitate referrals to local nature-based activities. These programs often involve connecting people with community gardens, parks, walking groups, or other green spaces, sometimes through community organizations.