Totes true.

Well DUH. LOL!!

My sentiment exactly!

Gardeners, fishermen and golfers all spend time outdoors regularly. I'd be interested in a comparison of mental well being between those groups - does nurturing plants give a higher level of satisfaction or is any time spent outdoors equally beneficial.

I think there is an element of risk which mitigates some of the good stuff (for fishermen, builders, civil engineers, farmers). As a rule, the only misfortunes to befall us gardeners are thorns and prickles, backache,chilly weather and aching knees, so while the outdoors does carry benefits, the downsides are more notable when it relates to employment.

The research relating to internet use for kids is unequivocal. It is less about playing outdoors and more relating to association with other children (ie.social) rather than locational.

Good points Cecily - I think a good part of the benefit comes from the motivation and health effects of staying physically and mentally active and engaged with friends/family/community - and there are other ways to do that besides gardening. However my gardening roots/role model goes back to my maternal grandfather - he was born in 1876 and turned 80 in the year I was born. We moved back in with Mom's parents shortly after I was born so he/they had a big effect on my life. As soon as we were old enough (about 3 years old) Grandpa had us helping him plant, weed the garden and thin out seedlings :-), harvest both cultivated and wild edible plants, etc.. In his 90s he was still actively working in the veggie garden and orchard. I remember him hoeing a row of potatoes, going in the house for a nap, and then coming back out to hoe another row of potatoes... etc. So, did gardening benefit his health and personality or did his health and personality suit gardening? The cause and the affect is not clear and I'm not sure if this study clarifies the issue at all.

Getting vitamin D from the sun has been shown to be very important for health. The nutrient is spread uniformly in a way you can't get from taking a pill. Obviously you should avoid too much sun. Plus gardening is good exercise. I use muscles in ways you would never use in a gym.

For sure @charles kidder there is the exercise and outdoor component to gardening but as others here have made mention, I am convinced that gardening for me provides unique psychological/mental health benefits that I do not experience in any other endeavour that I partake in. My partner has commented in the past something like "I see you are extra smiley...I bet you just planted something...right?"