Gardening has been shown to preserve cognitive function and improve overall well-being, particularly among older adults and those with dementia. In Norway, care farms like Impulssenter offer people with dementia a chance to stay socially and mentally engaged through farm work and gardening. These farms are part of a broader national dementia care plan launched in 2015, which promotes nature-based activities to support health.

Research supports the mental benefits of gardening. A University of Edinburgh study found that people who gardened experienced greater cognitive improvement from childhood to old age than non-gardeners. Gardening involves complex tasks that stimulate memory and executive function, aligning with the „use it or lose it“ theory of brain health.

Studies show gardening boosts brain-related proteins like BDNF and VEGF, reduces stress, improves attention, and lowers the risk of dementia. For example, daily gardeners in Australia had a 36% lower risk of developing dementia. Gardening also supports physical health by increasing activity, muscle strength, bone density, and heart health.

Nature exposure itself enhances well-being. Experts suggest humans are evolutionarily wired to recover in natural settings, making even small doses of nature—like listening to birds or seeing greenery—beneficial. This aligns with Attention Restoration Theory, which states that natural environments help replenish our mental focus.

For dementia patients, gardening is especially valuable. It promotes mood, communication, independence, and social engagement. At care farms, people can follow along more easily by observing others, helping them stay involved despite memory challenges. Most importantly, it creates a sense of purpose and joy.

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https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20250509-how-gardening-boosts-brain-health?ocid=fbfut