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A recent Dutch study has revealed something quite interesting. If you have a green thumb, you’re probably going to live longer than others.

Basically for this study researchers got participants to complete a task that would be deemed stressful and from there cut the people into two groups. One of these groups was keen to gardening for at least 30 minutes each day while the other merely stayed indoors and read. The group that stayed inside and read afterward did not see any kind of mood boost but instead became much more irritated and their mood ‘further deteriorated.’

That being said, those who were in the gardening group were able to lower their stress hormone cortisol and even gain a better mindset overall. Their good mood was easily restored.

When it comes to gardening we gain a lot of benefits. Elderly people have been noted many times over as having less cognitive issues when they’re actively surrounding themselves with plants and able to get out in the sunlight. While it might sound too simple, sometimes the smallest things can make the biggest differences in our lives. 

Not only does the act of gardening enrich our lives, the plants we care for can benefit us overall as far as our diet goes as well. We can care for fruit trees, vegetables, and even grow our own herbs. This provides us with a more versatile and hearty diet to grow off of. 

When we feel good and eat properly all the while taking care of our brain we are able to live much longer. Planting and other activities that have to do with gardening or farming overall also in many ways keep our bodies in check as through it we build muscle, endurance, and so much more. Gardening might not be that intense but it makes a serious difference in our lives, especially as we get older.

Costa Farms wrote as follows in regards:

These immediate benefits appear to have a power cumulative effect. Australian research reveals that gardening can potentially reduce our risk of dementia by 36 percent. And a 2016 study in South Korea demonstrated that elderly women who engaged in gardening activities twice a week for 50 minutes maintained better control of their weight, lung capacity, hand dexterity, and cognitive ability. 

The act of nurturing plants can make us feel better especially as we age. Various pieces of research indicate gardening can help with our self-esteem. Successfully cultivating beautiful plants can improve our confidence and give us a sense of purpose. 

Do you garden? If not perhaps you should consider it. How often do you take the time to really keep your own longevity as increased as possible?