Khaberni - A study conducted by Turkish researchers showed that practicing the hobby of gardening and planting improves the mental health of the elderly, and helps reduce symptoms of depression.
The study included 46 elderly people residing in a nursing home, where the participants were divided into two groups: a group engaged in gardening activities once for three months, and a group that continued their usual daily routine without any additional activities, and their psychological states were assessed before and after the experiment using the senior depression scale and the PERMA scale for psychological well-being.
The results showed clear differences between the two groups in terms of psychological state, as the depression scores significantly decreased among the participants who practiced gardening, and their mental health improved significantly compared to the individuals in the second group.
The researchers indicate that moderate and regular engagement with plants and regular gardening, even once a week, can have a positive impact on the emotional state of the elderly, and recommend incorporating such simple, low-cost programs into long-term care institutions as an effective means to support mental health for seniors.
Other studies have also shown that living close to areas densely populated with trees generally improves health and reduces the risk of heart and cardiovascular diseases.
