RRI.CO.ID Jakarta - Doctors often give medicine to help people feel better. But now, many doctors also suggest gardening. Gardening is good for both your body and your mind. This idea is called "social prescribing," and it is used in many countries.

In 2020, the UK government spent money on garden projects to help people with stress and mental health problems. In the US, some veterans with PTSD do garden therapy. In Scandinavia, people with brain problems use therapy gardens. Comedian Zach Galifianakis even said, "If I had a cure for people, it would be a garden." It sounds funny, but science shows he is right.

Gardening helps your body because it makes you move. You dig, plant, pull weeds, and carry soil. This is light exercise. It helps your heart and lowers stress. Dr. Hugh Coyne says working with your hands also helps lower the stress hormone called cortisol.

Being in nature also helps you relax. You can see plants, hear birds, touch soil, and smell flowers. This tells your brain that you are safe. Scientist Marion Oberhuber says this can calm your body. Many people also sleep better after gardening because they feel less stressed.

Working in the garden is also good for your brain. You don’t need to do hard work. Just watering plants or planting seeds can help. A 2024 study showed that older people who do plant care often have a lower risk of memory problems. Horticulture therapy also helped people with dementia feel less sad.

Tending plants makes people feel happier. A study in 2021 found that people who spend time in the garden 2 to 3 times a week feel less stress. Watching a plant grow gives you a sense of success. Your brain releases "feel-good" chemicals like dopamine when you do plant care. Some studies even say soil can help make serotonin, another happy chemical.

Working with soil and plants may even help you live longer. A big 2024 study in the US found that people who do garden work have a lower risk of dying early. A 2026 study found people who garden often had younger cells in their body. This is probably because gardening reduces stress, gives exercise, and helps people connect with others. So caring for plants is a simple way to live a longer and healthier life.

Source : Nat Geo