Dirt therapy is an easy and natural way to boost mental and physical health! Whether it’s gardening, walking barefoot in the grass, or spending time with animals, connecting with soil and nature can improve mood, support gut health, and increase serotonin and dopamine levels. Even veterans are using dirt therapy for healing! Get outside, embrace …
Ok, I know your question...what is this?
Well, dirt therapy is something really easy to do. It is gardening in any form. Whether it be flowers or vegetables or both, what ever you like to grow.
Dirt (soil) has good bacteria made for the earth itself. It is full of microorganisms which are good for the plants as we know we need to plant in good soil to obtain a good plant, but this good soil is where, you guessed it, these good for people life as well. The healthier the plant, the healthier the soil, the better it is for you to be working in it. If you have ever been there, the smell of it when working or after a rain. We have become too clean with sanitizers and germ-free worlds. We need the bacteria for our body to work properly. We have already talked about good bacteria in our gut which helps your function properly and again with your overall mental health. (source)
So what can we do?
Get outside (sunshine – vitamin d) and in the dirt for your physical and mental health. You can garden if this is your thing, but if not, walking barefoot in the grass/dirt.
Play with an animal (they have good bacteria) and your brain releases positive neurochemicals when you pet them (serotonin, dopamine and oxytocin). So don’t forget about your furry friends. You could even compost if you choose (I have not gotten to this point yet…a little to smelly for me!!).
When completing research, I even found a veteran’s organization working toward this. We don’t have this locally yet, but maybe will some day. For now, check out this link. (Source)
We do have Project Healing Waters for veterans locally which allows wounded military service members and veterans to use fly fishing as a therapeutic tool. This is another great organization. Please follow this link for more information. (HERE)
So remember,
Get outside and in nature, especially the dirt!
Working toward your best self in 2025 with Evolve Mental Health!!
Tiff
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