If you’re feeling stressed, take up gardening. That’s the takeaway from a new study out of the University of Florida, whose researchers proved the hypothesis with a pilot program.
Breaking dozens of healthy female subjects into two groups — one instructed to participate in art projects and the other to get their thumbs green — the researchers noticed that both groups reported a reduction in their stress levels at the conclusion of their twice-weekly sessions.
However, the gardeners enjoyed even less anxiety and depression levels than their art-creating counterparts, possibly due in part to the outdoor setting.
The findings dovetail with other studies that showed that just being out in nature calms you down.
“We believe this research shows promise for mental well-being, plants in health care and in public health,” noted study author Charles Guy, a professor of the university’s environmental horticultural department.
“It would be great to see other researchers use our work as a basis for those kinds of studies,” Guy said in a press release.
What’s more, many of the participants in the gardening group — who were newbies when it comes to cultivating — said they wanted to keep up the hobby after the study concluded.