RESEARCH
Four Weeks of Gardening Improves Mood and Reduces Depressive Symptoms Among Healthy Women
Summary
A recent study published in PLOS One found that both gardening and art-making can improve mental health. Researchers conducted an experiment with healthy women in their early thirties, randomly assigning them to either an eight-session indoor gardening group (n=15) or an art-making group (n=17). Both activities were led by experts within their respective fields, especially regarding theraputic applications. These trials led to reduced stress, improved mood, and fewer depressive symptoms. While gardening showed slightly stronger benefits in reducing anxiety, neither intervention had a significant effect on heart rate or blood pressure. The researchers suggest that engaging in either activity in pairing with traditional mental health treatment can bring a measurable improvement in ones mental health.
The study highlights the need for more large-scale research to explore the full impact of gardening and art-making on mental health. While previous anecdotal evidence has suggested the benefits of these activities, controlled studies like this help build scientific support. The authors acknowledge some limitations, including a small sample size and the lack of a control group. Future studies will need to include diverse populations and clinical groups to determine the broader effects. Despite these limitations, the findings suggest that gardening and art therapy could be valuable tools for improving mental well-being, particularly in urban areas where people have fewer opportunities to connect with nature.
