Happiness from the Inside Out
Doctors & Healthcare Providers
November 8, 2023

Happiness from the Inside Out

Gardening not only nurtures happiness and well-being by offering stress relief and cognitive benefits but also contributes to nutritional health and social engagement, especially significant for the elderly in promoting successful aging.

Happiness is something we all strive for, and it can be defined in many ways.  For many, happiness is enjoying quiet time alone with a good book.  For others, it’s dancing or exercising and for some, it can be just listening to music.  For a good majority of us, happiness means being with others; a single companion, our entire family, or a group of friends.  Building memories and bonding with people can fill the heart with so much happiness and mealtime or holiday gatherings are often at the center of these moments.  This quote reflects just that. “The fondest memories are made when gathered around the table.” – @therandomvibes

Having an amazing dining experience can help happiness grow from the inside out and can also help prevent Malnutrition too!  When you enjoy your experience, you take your time to savor your meal and your time with your friends.  You can add to the experience, by growing your own herbs, fruits and vegetables. There is something about planting seeds and helping them grow that brings joy to oneself. The added benefits of the abundant fruits and vegetables packed with nutrients enhance our health and well-being.  

When you harvest fresh ingredients from your own garden, you get the added benefit of horticulture therapy. According to the Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, “Due to a rapidly aging population in the world, it is increasingly pertinent to promote successful aging strategies which are cost-effective, easily accessible, and more likely to be acceptable to the elderly.”  Growing your own food for a farm-to-table meal accomplishes just that!  When Judith William, a senior resident at Spring Hills Princeton Assisted Living Community and a 77 years old breast cancer survivor and professional gardener, was asked for some tips, this is what she had to say:  

  1. Prepare your soil properly. Be sure to read the label of the plants you buy to understand their specific needs.
  2. Use “Judy Juice”: one spoon of Miracle Grow and a gallon of water to make plans grow happy and big.
  3. Vegetables need a lot of water and six to eight hours of sun a day to grow big strong.

Happiness from the inside out doesn’t stop there!  Gardening has so many benefits.  Here are just a few!

  1. Reduces Stress
  2. Improves Cognitive Function
  3. Inspires the Spirit
  4. Creates Purpose
  5. Improves Socialization

At Spring Hills, we have been encouraging horticulture therapy since 2010 when we first rolled out our Community Garden as one of our very first Signature Touch Programs.  The health benefits on the mind, body, and spirit of an older adult make horticulture therapy an invaluable aspect of effective programing for senior care. To learn more about our horticulture therapy program, click here.

Take a look at our news and articles

March 27, 2024

Top 5 Best Food for Alzheimers

Discover the best food for Alzheimer's and fuel your cognitive health with nutrient-packed choices. Unveil the power of a brain-boosting diet!

March 27, 2024

The 9 Best Food for Dementia

Discover the power of the best food for dementia! Unleash the potential of omega-3s, antioxidants, and B vitamins for memory support.

Stay Informed: The Spring Hills Newsletter

Subscribe to our newsletter for the latest updates on health tips, community stories, and expert advice, all aimed at enhancing your well-being.

Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.