NATURE
Mud, glorious mud
Feeling connected with nature has been proven to make us happier and healthier, and one of the most effective ways to boost that connection is to get your hands (or feet) dirty. From gardening to growing, foraging to bushcraft, Rebecca Frank explores how getting closer to the earth can boost our wellbeing, while also introducing us to new skills and increasing our knowledge of the natural world
IMAGES: GETTY IMAGES; SHUTTERSTOCK
Gardener’s glow
I must confess that my gardening know-how extends little further than an appreciation of pretty flowers and a few strawberry bushes I once planted. However, if I can do something that will make me feel happier, learn something new and end up with some homegrown produce, I figure it’s time to up my game and start growing.
It turns out the gardener’s glow is about more than sunshine and physical activity (though they play an important role). The secret lies in the soil, and the serotonin-boosting bacteria it contains.
Research shows that when we inhale the microbe M. vaccae from soil, it increases levels of happiness hormones in the same way as an antidepressant.