Tending the Soil

She knelt among the young sprouts, pressing her hands gently into the soil. Gardening has been shown to reduce stress, improve mood, and promote physical health through light activity and exposure to nature (Soga et al. 92).

Engaging in horticultural tasks also enhances mindfulness, resilience, and motivation, helping individuals cope with mental fatigue and emotional strain (Van den Berg and Custers 162). Each seed she nurtured reminded her that care and patience produce growth, both in the garden and within herself.

Works Cited (MLA)

Soga, Masashi, et al. “Gardening Is Beneficial for Health: A Meta-Analysis.” Preventive Medicine Reports, vol. 5, 2017, pp. 92–99.
Van den Berg, Agnes E., and Mariëtte H. G. Custers. “Gardening Promotes Neuroendocrine and Affective Restoration from Stress.” Journal of Health Psychology, vol. 16, no. 1, 2011, pp. 3–11.