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Episode Thirty Five-Mind, Body, and Soil with Root in Nature
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Getting our hands dirty is not a new idea. A strong connection to soil has always been critical for human thriving.
Around 12,000 years ago, our hunter-gatherer ancestors started transitioning into a farming culture. Growing crops became a reliable and sustainable way to access high-quality food.
Besides the nutritional benefits, gardening has been shown to improve our well-being in many ways. Studies have shown that time spent gardening can increase physical activity, offer a tangible sense of purpose, and reduce the risk of cognitive decline. Some research has shown that regular gardening may assist in reducing the risk of dementia by up to 50%.
Therapeutic horticulture programs have been used in hospitals for many years, increasing satisfaction and reducing stress, which can reduce healing times. Contact with specific bacteria in the soil, called Mycobacterium vaccae, releases serotonin in the brain, which serves as a natural anti-depressant and strengthens the immune system.
According to a 2021 National Gardening Association study, over 18 million people became new gardeners, and existing gardeners spent 47% more time with their hands in the dirt.
Welcome to Episode Thirty-Five of The Nature of Wellness Podcast.
On this episode, we sat down with a couple of amazing representatives of the horticulture world. Alexis Ashworth is the Founder and CEO of Root in Nature, a Canada-based company with the vision of “A world where people live their healthiest lives through connection with plants and nature. Katie McGillivray, a Registered Horticultural Therapist, is the company’s Lead for Courses and Community.
Join us as we talk to Alexis and Katie about their personal and professional relationships with the natural world, the many benefits of horticultural therapy, and the community-serving mission of Root in Nature.
These two “Green Thumbs” discuss how a garden is a perfect backdrop for social connection, which plants best serve us based on our needs, and the best ways to start gardening as a beginner.
This was a conversation we could certainly “dig” (pun intended).
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We appreciate you all.
Be Well
-NOW
Root in Nature Website: https://rootinnature.ca/
Root in Nature Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/root.in.nature
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/root-in-nature/
Alexis’ contact: alexis@rootinnature.ca
* The Nature of Wellness Podcast is produced by the remarkable Shawn Bell.
** The NOW theme song was written, performed, produced, and graciously provided by the incredibly talented Phil and Niall Monahan.
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