This Spring, Get Dirty And Discover Gardening’s Therapeutic Benefits

Spring is here, and gardens are growing, but they do more than improve the look of your yard — they can also improve your health.

Efrat LaMandre, PhD, FNP-C — a certified family nurse practitioner known to her more than 680,000 TikTok followers as “Dr. E, the NP with the PhD” — says getting your hands dirty in the garden, no matter how small, is more beneficial than you might think.

“The soil is full of life like good bacteria that can actually help strengthen your immune system and improve your gut health,” says LaMandre, author of “Its Not In Your Head,” focused on validating patient concerns and pushing back against medical gaslighting. She also owns a medical practice in New York and chairs the Staten Island Hospital Foundation Board of Trustees.

The physical act of gardening can also boost fitness, functioning like an outdoor gym.

“Its not just about sowing and growing; it’s a full-body workout,” LaMandre says. “Digging, planting, and pulling weeds can significantly improve your physical stamina and strength.”

The plants you grow can also have health benefits, and not just vegetables. Even herbs, which are often simpler to grow, can have substantial health effects.

“Not only do herbs, like basil, mint, and rosemary, elevate your dishes, but theyre also packed with antioxidants and essential nutrients that support overall health,” LaMandre says.

When it comes to mental health, LaMandre says gardening is “like a deep breath for your brain.”

“Sometimes, the best way to untangle your thoughts is to get your hands in the soil and let the rest of the world take a backseat,” she says.

And don’t worry if you don’t have a green thumb — there are plenty of plants that are easy for beginners to cultivate.

“Anyone can take up gardening,” LaMandre says. “You can even start in your own kitchen growing herbs like basil, mint, and chives, or leafy greens like lettuce and spinach.”