Physical activity also promotes the production of the brain’s feel-good neurotransmitters, such as dopamine and endorphins, which help regulate mood and feelings of pleasure.

“I couldn’t do much,” she says. “I sat outside on my front doorstep, dug in the soil a little bit and planted a few seeds.” Over time she built up her strength, and five minutes a week digging in the dirt morphed into five hours a day cultivating a garden. She’s now a renowned master gardener and author of 12 gardening books. 

“Gardening built up my physical strength, stamina, energy and there’s a feedback loop,” says Rose. 

Physical activity also promotes the production of the brain’s feel-good neurotransmitters, such as dopamine and endorphins, which help regulate mood and feelings of pleasure. Part of what encouraged Rose to keep gardening and regaining her sense of well-being was the reward of seeing things she had planted grow. “It was a burst of joy, serotonin, dopamine, all the happy chemicals that keep you going and wanting to do more,” she says.   article