Gardening is a popular pastime for many people, especially older adults, who benefit from the increased physical activity and mental engagement. A recent study found that people who garden sleep better than those who engage in other exercises or don’t exercise.
Researchers collected information about the sleep habits of more than 16,000 adults in the U.S. They categorized the participants as gardeners, exercisers, or non-exercisers.
They found that compared to non-exercisers, gardeners were 42 percent less likely to experience sleep problems, and exercisers were 33 percent less likely. The effects of gardening on sleep were dose-dependent, with sleep problems decreasing as weekly gardening time increased. The benefits of gardening were consistent, even after considering other factors that influence sleep, such as age, sex, education level, and body mass index.
These findings from this observational study suggest that gardening improves sleep better than other forms of exercise or not exercising. Gardening’s sleep-enhancing effects may stem from increased exposure to natural light during the day, regulating the body’s circadian rhythms and, ultimately, sleep. Learn how light exposure, especially early in the day, influences circadian rhythmicity and sleep in this clip featuring Dr. Satchin Panda.
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