Can Gardening Make You Happier?

Can Gardening Make You Happier?
Gardening is life-affirming and brings us in direct contact with the magic of creation. No wonder researchers are discovering it also makes us feel good. Jacob Lund/Shutterstock
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Years ago when we had a big yard, thumbing through gardening catalogs was one way I got through the long Minnesota winters. I dreamed about what I’d plant when the weather warmed up and the ground thawed. I’d look at unusual plants, early bloomers, late bloomers, heirloom tomatoes, and whatever else caught my attention in a given season.

One year, I decided that we needed a raspberry patch in the yard. I couldn’t imagine anything better than walking out the back door and picking my own fresh raspberries, still warm from the sun. During the winter, I poured over several gardening catalogs looking for just the right variety of bush that would yield the sweetest berries and grow quickly. After a great deal of deliberation, I placed my order for two bushes that seemed to fit the bill perfectly.

Lynn Jaffee
Lynn Jaffee
Author
Lynn Jaffee is a licensed acupuncturist and the author of “Simple Steps: The Chinese Way to Better Health.” This article was originally published on AcupunctureTwinCities.com
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