The planters on the deck still have a few blooming violets, planted last September. They also have weeds. Aha! A gardening task of just the right scope . . .
The day was mild and it was a pleasure to be out and have my fingers in the dirt, however briefly.
And small wonder -- studies have shown a therapeutic value to messing about in the dirt. You see, there's this good bacteria in soil -- Mycobacterium baccae -- that has been found to trigger the release of serotonin. . . and serotonin is a mood elevator and anxiety decreaser. Plus, and this is no small thing, it seems to improve cognitive function.
I feel better already!
See more about this bacteria HERE -- it's being tested as a treatment for cancer, Crohn's Disease, and rheumatoid arthritis.
7 comments:
Oh my goodness! I wonder if it comes in bags of potting soil too? I'm sure the organic kind would be full of good things! But perhaps my working in clay often also delivers some good microbes...after all it's dirt too! There sure are a lot of happy potters out there!
That is so cool! So many people feel better after gardening. I am wheelchair bound and I have a few pots but I gotta get in there whenever possible! Thanks for sharing this!
My dirt is well frozen, but your dirt does nice things.
Vicki, I've read about that soil benefit and somehow it does sound like something that would be "naturally" true. Something humans have realized even before science studies focused on the phenomenon.
Your flowers are so pretty. Clearly nothing like that going on around here. xo
Lots of people seem to find gardening therapeutic, though not me! I do, however, enjoy looking at your garden,
Boy! my dirt is wet. Yet again more rain out here in the desert. Leeching out all them wonderful dirt vitamins from my sandy soil.
My dirt is frozen and buried under many feet of snow. I guess that's why I have house plants. But it really isn't the same as being outside playing with the soil.
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