Dr. Sian De Bell, PhD

Research conducted by the University of Exeter and the Royal Horticultural Society charity, published in Elsevier’s Landscape and Urban Planning, analyzed data from nearly 8,000 people collected by Natural England between 2009 and 2016. The research, conducted with funding from Innovate UK and NIHR, found that people who spend time in the garden are significantly more likely to report general good health, higher psychological wellbeing and greater physical activity levels than those who do not spend time in the garden. Is gardening making them healthier? Or do healthier people seem to do more gardening among other activities? PLUS Listener Pasi Säkkinen from New Zealand puts Carl on the spot to defend his assertion that even if we stayed shut down for years, once previously infected people began to circulate among us, they’d begin to spread the virus again. Is he wrong? Let’s see.

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SHR # 2529 :: Spending Time in the Garden Linked to Better Health and Wellbeing PLUS Virology 101: Where Do Viruses Go When They’re Dormant

Show Transcript SHR # 2529 :: Spending Time in the Garden Linked to Better Health and Wellbeing PLUS Virology 101: Where Do Viruses Go When They’re Dormant

Show Notes:

[2:50] Most studies looking at the effects of greenspaces on health and well-being involve parks, however, 40% of urban areas are garden-covered.

• Perhaps getting your hands in the dirt has benefits.
• The feeling of purpose in caring for a plant also has benefits.

[5:53] Gardening seemed to have benefits for poor people similar to the effect of having a higher income.

• In the model, being active in the garen and relaxing in the garden were both observed.

[9:27] does grounding play a role in this?

• Perhaps being in a natural environment with less stressors influences our sense of well-being.

[12:05] Study design.

• Survey based.
• 10 year data collection.
• Activity in garden was associated with higher levels of satisfaction in life.
• Relaxing in the garden associated with feeling that life is worthwhile.

[16:47] the strength of correlation was a surprising aspect of this study.

[19:50] Could gardening be a strategy during the covid quarantine?

[31:29] the relaxing effect of staring into the horizon.

[42:25] Rebuttal to Carl’s virology claims.

• There is a difference between acute and chronic viruses.