A couple news items have appeared this week on gardening as a therapeutic tool (1, 2) for those struggling with psychological issues from Alzheimer’s to schizophrenia. The idea is solid. It allows people to become interested in a new activity, gets them outside and physically active, it is relaxing, and can be rewarding as plants grow and produce flowers and fruit. I have always thought that people who can reconnect with a lost creative passion, increase the time spent in enjoyable hobbies, or develop new interests will have a mental health payoff. That could be gardening, scrapbooking, playing music, painting, playing softball or whatever that thing is for each individual. It is nice to see some research backing that up.

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    Last reviewed: By John M. Grohol, Psy.D. on 19 Jul 2006
    Published on PsychCentral.com. All rights reserved.