Digging In The Dirt Really Does Make People Happier (2024)

FAQs

Digging In The Dirt Really Does Make People Happier? ›

Digging in the dirt really does lift your spirits. The digging stirs up microbes in the soil. Inhaling these microbes can stimulate serotonin production, which can make you feel relaxed and happier.

Getting your hands dirty in the garden can increase your serotonin levels – contact with soil and a specific soil bacteria, Mycobacterium vaccae, triggers the release of serotonin in our brain according to research. Serotonin is a happy chemical, a natural anti-depressant and strengthens the immune system.

Studies on mice have found healthy bacteria that live in the soil increase serotonin levels and reduce anxiety. A University of Florida study, meanwhile, found gardening lowered depression, stress and anxiety in healthy women.

New research suggests that bacterium in the dirt raises serotonin levels (the pleasure or happy brain chemical), and boosts the immune system. If you're feeling “happy as a pig” you probably have been engaging with the soil—or the living organisms Mycobacterium vaccae that seem to activate happy neurons.

Historically, humans have engaged in digging for both of these reasons, and for a variety of additional reasons, such as engaging in agriculture and gardening, searching for minerals, metals, and other raw materials such as during mining and quarrying, preparing for construction, making fortifications and irrigation, ...

Further research on gardening found it improved life satisfaction and mood. Digging in the dirt really does lift your spirits. The digging stirs up microbes in the soil. Inhaling these microbes can stimulate serotonin production, which can make you feel relaxed and happier.

Things like weeding, digging, and raking are a good exercise. Regular exercise reduces anxiety, depression, and other mental issues, and can help prevent dementia. If you don't like going to the gym, gardening can be an enjoyable way to still get these benefits. Encourages social bonds.

Scientists have long known that a little dirt can be good for you. Research has suggested that people who grow up on farms, for instance, have lower rates of Crohn's disease, asthma and allergies, likely because of their exposure to a diverse array of microbes.

Soil helps produce our food and unearth life-saving medicines and vaccines. Soil also filters and purifies our water, reduces flooding, regulates the atmosphere and plays a crucial role in driving the carbon and nitrogen cycles. It is also key to tackling climate change as it captures and stores vast amounts of carbon.

Boost Immunity

Believe it or not, the healthy organisms that are present in dirt can be a great boost when it comes to a child's immune system. Studies have shown that children without regular exposure to the germs found in dirt have increased cases of asthma, allergies and autoimmune issues.

Why do people crave dirt? ›

Deficiencies in iron and zinc may play a role in why some people eat dirt. A 2023 study of children from Sri Lanka suggested that pica could indicate a zinc deficiency because the average zinc levels in the children with pica were significantly lower than the average zinc levels in the group without pica.

When we come into contact with soil, a bacterium called Mycobacterium vaccae is absorbed and it activates a small group of neurons containing serotonin. This serotonin boost is thought to make us feel better by acting in a similar way to antidepressants.

Digging, raking and using a push mower can be physically intense activities. You may burn as many calories as a workout in the gym. If you aren't used to these types of activities, it is likely that you will feel a bit sore after a busy day gardening. Gardening also can improve your balance, strength and flexibility.

Not only does gardening provide physical exercise, but it has also been associated with numerous mental and emotional benefits, and all of this can contribute to a healthier, happier, and longer life.

Mowing a lawn, digging, raking and even turning the compost are forms of aerobic exercise. It's amazing how my fitness has changed. Just turning the compost is so active! Gardening can help you use 250-500 calories an hour, depending on the activity.

Digging is important as it breaks up the soil, making it light enough for plants and flowers to grow in. If roots cannot push their way through the soil easily, any plant will be stunted and find it difficult to thrive.

When we come into contact with soil, a bacterium called Mycobacterium vaccae is absorbed and it activates a small group of neurons containing serotonin. This serotonin boost is thought to make us feel better by acting in a similar way to antidepressants.

It helps to release levels of serotonin and dopamine, both hormones associated with happy feelings and our levels of cortisol decrease which reduces our stress. Being in the fresh air, digging in the garden for an afternoon makes for a very peaceful 8 hours of restful sleep.

The activity can burn 300 to 600 calories an hour, depending on if you are digging soil, weeding, watering the lawn, or picking flowers, while it can also build strong muscles and bones and help maintain flexibility.