GARDENING FOR THE MIND

How Gardening Fights Alzheimer’s and Other Mental Health Challenges

At The SOL Foundation, we love hearing from our readers and engaging in meaningful conversations about the impact of our initiatives. This month, we’re diving into a special reader-recommended topic:

“Wow, I loved how well you structured! I knew that gardening was effective for mental health, especially suicide, depression, and Alzheimer’s, but hadn’t actually realized the importance of putting it into work. Can you please do a blog on how gardening fights Alzheimer’s and other mental diseases?”

This thoughtful recommendation highlights an important discussion—how gardening is more than just a physical activity; it’s a powerful tool for mental health and cognitive well-being.

The Science Behind Gardening and Mental Health

Gardening has long been recognized as a therapeutic activity, offering a sense of peace, purpose, and connection to nature. But beyond its emotional benefits, research shows that gardening actively supports brain health, particularly in preventing and managing conditions like Alzheimer’s disease, depression, and anxiety.

1. Gardening and Alzheimer’s Disease

Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive neurological disorder that affects memory, thinking, and behavior. While there is no cure, research suggests that engaging in mentally and physically stimulating activities—like gardening—can help slow cognitive decline and enhance quality of life.

✅ Encourages Brain Activity – Gardening requires planning, problem-solving, and memory recall, which help stimulate cognitive function.

✅ Reduces Stress Hormones – Chronic stress is linked to faster cognitive decline. Gardening lowers cortisol levels, helping protect brain cells.

✅ Promotes Physical Exercise – Movement increases blood flow to the brain, reducing the risk of dementia and supporting overall brain health.

✅ Stimulates the Senses – The colors, textures, and smells of plants engage multiple senses, which helps maintain neural connections and enhances memory retention.

2. Gardening as Therapy for Depression and Anxiety

The simple act of tending to plants can be deeply healing for those struggling with depression and anxiety. Here’s why:

💚 Boosts Mood with Serotonin – Gardening increases serotonin (the "happiness hormone"), which helps regulate mood and combat depression.

💚 Provides a Sense of Purpose – Watching plants grow and flourish fosters a sense of achievement and fulfillment.

💚 Creates Mindfulness and Relaxation – Focusing on the present moment while gardening reduces anxious thoughts and promotes calmness.

💚 Encourages Social Interaction – Community gardens and group gardening activities help reduce isolation, a major factor in mental health decline.

3. Gardening and Suicide Prevention

Gardening offers a hopeful and grounding experience for those facing suicidal thoughts. Studies show that:

🌱 Nature-Based Therapy reduces suicidal ideation by improving emotional regulation.

🌱 Being Outdoors Increases Vitamin D, which plays a crucial role in mood stabilization.

🌱 Gardening Creates a Routine, helping individuals find stability and structure in difficult times.

 

How The SOL Foundation Supports Gardening for Mental Well-being

At The SOL Foundation, we recognize the power of gardening as a tool for healing, empowerment, and community building. Through our school and community garden initiatives, we aim to:

🌿 Integrate therapeutic gardening programs into schools and community centers.

🌿 Support mental health awareness by promoting gardening as a stress-relief activity.

🌿 Encourage intergenerational gardening projects to connect the elderly, youth and children, fostering learning and companionship.

Our commitment to #SOLEmpowernment includes addressing mental health challenges in sustainable ways, and gardening plays a key role in that mission.

A Seed of Hope

Gardening is more than just an enjoyable pastime—it’s a lifeline for mental health. Whether it’s fighting Alzheimer’s, easing depression, or providing a sense of purpose, tending to plants nurtures both the mind and soul.

A special thanks to our reader for this wonderful blog recommendation! We love receiving your ideas and insights, and we encourage more of you to share topics you’d like us to explore.

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🌿 Have you experienced the mental health benefits of gardening? Share your thoughts and stories in the comments below! 🌿

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Email: coordinator@the-sol-foundation.org

Take a look at some of the feedback we received from our Instagram family: 

@flaviu.soul 

- "It's good activity for brain staying in nature."

@theadventglobal 

- " We are thinkers, as human beings. But when we are surrounded by nature, we tend to stop thinking and starting reflecting, which is healthy and productive, healthy and good, while thinking leads to negativity, overthinking and eventually depression."

BENEFITS OF PLANTING TREES

In our last article, we sifted through some of the benefits, let us now look in detail at how plants are helping us and saving the environment: 

1. Oxygen Production

Through the process of photosynthesis, trees absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen into the atmosphere. This oxygen is essential for human and animal respiration, providing the air we breathe to sustain life.

2. Carbon Sequestration

Trees act as carbon sinks, absorbing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and storing it in their biomass. By removing carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas, from the air, trees help mitigate climate change by reducing the overall concentration of greenhouse gases responsible for trapping heat in the Earth's atmosphere.

3. Biodiversity Support 

Trees provide habitats for a wide variety of plant and animal species. Forests, in particular, are highly diverse ecosystems that support numerous species, from insects to mammals. The presence of trees helps preserve biodiversity by offering food, shelter, and breeding grounds for various organisms.

4. Soil Conservation 

Tree roots help anchor the soil, preventing erosion caused by wind and water. By holding the soil in place, trees help maintain soil fertility and structure, reducing the loss of topsoil and preserving valuable agricultural land.

5. Temperature Regulation

Trees provide shade, which helps reduce temperatures in their immediate surroundings. This natural cooling effect is particularly beneficial in urban areas, where the prevalence of concrete and asphalt can lead to higher temperatures, known as the urban heat island effect.

6. Water Conservation 

Tree roots absorb rainwater, reducing runoff and helping to recharge groundwater supplies. By intercepting rainfall and allowing it to infiltrate into the soil, trees contribute to the overall health of watersheds and help prevent flooding and erosion.

7. Fruit and Nut Production

Many tree species bear edible fruits, nuts, or seeds, providing a sustainable source of food for humans and wildlife. These nutritious offerings contribute to local food security and support biodiversity by attracting a variety of animals that feed on fruits and nuts.

8. Wood and Timber Resources

Trees are valuable renewable resources used for wood products, such as lumber, paper, and furniture. Sustainable forestry practices ensure that trees are harvested responsibly, allowing for the continued availability of wood and timber while preserving forest ecosystems.

9. Carbon Storage 

Trees store carbon within their biomass, including their trunks, branches, and leaves. This stored carbon represents a significant reservoir that helps offset carbon emissions from human activities, acting as a natural means of carbon sequestration.

10. Community Well-being 

Green spaces, including parks, forests, and urban tree-lined streets, contribute to the overall well-being of communities. Access to nature has been linked to numerous health benefits, including reduced stress, improved mental health, and increased physical activity. Additionally, the presence of trees enhances the aesthetic appeal of neighborhoods and creates more pleasant and livable environments for residents.

Take a look at what some of our social media family members had to say on the benefits of planting trees: 

Facebook:

John Tezi - 

" To bring good shed , To protect wind blowing and in order to bring rain. " 

Instagram:

@rewireyourmindsetstrategy -

"Fresh oxygen, better overall human health." 

@aisha_bagha -

"Good for the ecosystem"

@karuvadgraphy -

"You achieve the feel of giving birth"

5. CHOOSE SUSTAINABLE

Making smart life choices and choosing sustainable is another way to go in saving the planet by reducing your carbon footprint. 

Choosing sustainability in your daily life doesn't have to be complicated. Here are simple steps you can take every day to make more eco-friendly choices. These simple steps may seem small, but collectively they contribute to a more sustainable and eco-friendly lifestyle: 

1. Use Reusable Bags: Bring your own reusable bags when shopping to reduce the need for plastic bags.

2. Switch Off Lights: Turn off lights and electronic devices when you leave a room or when they're not in use to conserve energy.

3. Carpool or Use Public Transportation: Share rides with others or use public transportation to reduce your carbon footprint when commuting.

4. Conserve Water: Be mindful of water usage by fixing leaks, taking shorter showers, and turning off the tap when not needed.

5. Choose Local and Seasonal Produce: Support local farmers and reduce the environmental impact of transportation by choosing seasonal produce.

6. Sustainable Food Choices : Consider adopting a meatless day each week to reduce your overall carbon footprint associated with meat production.

7. Recycle Properly: Sort and recycle paper, glass, plastic, and aluminum to divert waste from landfills. Opt to have a compost bin.

8. Unplug Chargers: Unplug chargers and electronic devices when they're not actively charging to save energy.

8. Opt for Eco-Friendly Products: Choose products made from sustainable materials and support brands with eco-friendly practices.

9. Plant a Tree or Maintain Green Spaces: Contribute to environmental conservation by planting trees or participating in community green initiatives.

10. Reduce Paper Usage: Opt for digital documents whenever possible to minimize paper consumption.

11. Support Thrift Stores: Embrace second-hand shopping to extend the life of products and reduce the demand for new production.

12. Use a Reusable Water Bottle: Carry a reusable water bottle to reduce the need for single-use plastic bottles.

13. Compost Kitchen Scraps: Turn food waste into nutrient-rich compost for your garden instead of sending it to landfills.

14. Educate Yourself and Others: Stay informed about environmental issues and share your knowledge with friends and family to promote awareness.

Lets take a look at some of the sustainable tips we received from Instagram: 

@aisha_bagha -

" Avoid disposable items." 

@rewireyourmindsetstrategy

" Anything that can be reused instead of one time use. "