Gardening is more than just a hobby, it’s a rewarding activity that supports physical health, emotional wellness, and an opportunity for social connection for older adults.
Gardening Encourages Physical Activity
Staying physically active is important as we age, and gardening provides a gentle, low-impact way to keep the body moving. Activities such as planting, watering, pruning, and light digging can help improve flexibility, mobility, and coordination.
Gardening may also support:
- Hand strength and dexterity. Research shows that older adults who garden have better hand strength and pinch force.
- Balance and coordination
- Joint flexibility
- Muscle movement and circulation
Unlike intense workouts, gardening allows seniors to stay active at their own pace while enjoying fresh air and sunshine.
Gardening Supports Emotional Well-Being
Spending time outdoors and caring for plants can have a calming effect on the mind. Gardening is often associated with reduced stress, improved mood, and increased relaxation.
According to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, the combination of low- to moderate-intensity physical activity, such as bending, digging, and weeding, and exposure to nature helps lower stress hormones (cortisol), reduces arterial tension, and aids in maintaining a healthy weight. Just 30 to 45 minutes of gardening most days of the week can effectively lower hypertension.
Digging in the dirt can also release serotonin in the brain. When your skin comes into contact with soil, it absorbs a rare “good” bacterium called Mycobacterium vaccae. This bacterium activates the neurons that produce serotonin, which is also known as “the happy hormone.“
Encourages Social Connection
Gardening with others provides excellent opportunities for seniors to build friendships and stay socially engaged while enjoying a common interest.
Keeps the Mind Active
Gardening can also stimulate cognitive health. What may seem like everyday gardening tasks such as planning garden layouts, learning about plants, and maintaining watering schedules, these tasks help to support memory, focus, and overall cognitive wellness.
Gardening Creates a Sense of Purpose
Caring for living things and watching them thrive naturally feels rewarding and fulfilling and can be a source of motivation, creativity, and personal satisfaction. Even small gardening projects, such as caring for potted plants or herbs, can bring joy and structure to daily life.
Enjoy Active Living at Cordia at Westmont
Cordia Senior Living in Westmont’s engaging programs, social opportunities, and wellness-focused living – including many opportunities to continue or learn to garden – helps our residents embrace a vibrant lifestyle filled with purpose and connection.