Believe it or not, having a green thumb can actually help garner you a clean bill of health.

Aesthetics aside, the benefits of gardening are far yielding. In fact, gardening and good health have actually proven to go hand in hand.

From combatting depression to improving cardiovascular health, gardening is pretty darned good for you. Gardening has actually been shown to increase mindfulness, the act of keeping oneself in the present. And it provides a great opportunity to connect with friends, family and neighbors.

Digging for more reasons to get gardening? Check out these eight benefits of getting your garden on. Find out why the grass is greener on the gardening side.

1.    Lowering the Bar on Stress

If you’re looking for a stress relieving activity that you can do outside, add gardening to your list. Research shows that gardening can greatly reduce both stress and anxiety.

According to CNN, research conducted in the Netherlands concluded that gardening may be one of the best leisure-related stressbusters available. Two test groups were given one of two activities following a stressful task: reading indoors or gardening for 30 minutes. Following the two activities, those who gardened were found to be in a better mood than those who read. In addition, the green group exhibited lower cortisol levels. (Cortisol is a hormone associated with stress.)

So next time you’re feeling anxious, try working outside. It will likely lift your spirits.

2.    Mindfulness Matters

Mindfulness has become one of the most heralded practices in modern times. Studies show that mindfulness can reduce stress and even strengthen the immune system.

Mindfulness isn’t a complex thing. “Mindfulness is simply keeping one’s attention focused on the present moment,” says Dr. William R. Marchand, a psychiatrist, author and mindfulness teacher. “The concept of mindfulness is really quite simple. It’s the now.”

Marchand says that gardening is a great way to practice mindfulness. This can be done by focusing on the task at hand. “To be mindful while gardening, notice what’s going on in the moment,” says Marchand. “If you’re digging, focus on that. Think about how the activity feels. This can be done with any aspect of gardening-from Spring cleaning to planting. In addition, notice the texture, fragrance and color of plants.”

3.    Heart Smarten Up

Gardening and heart health go together like a hand in a glove. In fact, the CDC says that time spent gardening actually counts toward your physical activity tally. This may reduce the risk of high blood pressure, Type 2 diabetes, osteoporosis, heart disease, stroke, depression, colon cancer, and even premature death.

To reap these benefits, the CDC says to shoot for an activity time of two and a half hours a week. In addition, remember to start slowly if you haven’t been active in a while. And change up your gardening routine to round out activity.

4.    A New Social Network

Gardening can be a social activity. That’s because gardening has the ability to bring people together. This can be done in a number of creative and fun ways.

To connect with family members, consider setting a family gardening goal. Perhaps plant a vegetable garden as a family. Or you can incorporate new landscaping into familial activities. Then celebrate your accomplishment with a family party.

To connect with friends, consider volunteering in the community. Neighborhood associations always need help with gardens. In addition, charitable organizations need assistance in beautification efforts. You can even make an afternoon of volunteering by meeting friends for lunch and then continuing onto a planned gardening task.

5.    Harvest Time: You Grow Girl

Fruits, vegetables, and health go hand in hand. In fact, the CDC reports that the nutrients found in fruits and vegetables lower one’s risk of heart disease, stroke, and even cancer. That said, we sometimes need a little motivation to add fruits and vegetables to our diet.

Having your own personal vegetable garden will definitely up the ante. As your garden grows, you definitely won’t want those greens going to waste. After all, it’s much more exciting to try new and healthy recipes when we have a reason to jump on board this adventure.

So consider planting a vegetable garden. Think about what types of dishes you like, and plan around these offerings. For example, if you like chili, you may grow fresh tomatoes. And if you enjoy pasta dishes, you might opt for zucchini as a healthier substitute. You can even grow herbs to spice up just about any dish.

6.    Gimme a D

Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin that helps the body to absorb calcium and promotes healthy bones. It even assists the body to grow cells and reduce inflammation. Sunlight is one proven way to get vitamin D.

According to the National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements (NIH), some of the vitamin D needed by the body can be reaped through a little time in the sun. Just 5 to 30 minutes of sun twice a week can ultimately turn into vitamin D.

7.    Put That Libido in Drive

Who knew that gardening could be a libido booster? Now that’s one heck of a good reason to garden.

According to Fox News, Daily Mail reports that research shows that a half hour of gardening five days a week may be a sex drive booster. Studies show that digging, pulling weeds, and mowing for 30 minutes may lower a man’s risk of impotence by nearly 40 percent. In addition, the study found that moderate exercise may help as well.

8.    Turn That Frown Upside Down

Studies show that therapeutic horticulture can decrease the severity of depression. This is one of the reasons that therapeutic gardens are popping up around the country.

According to Thrive, researchers have found that gardening can help those with mental health problems in a number of ways. First, it improves communication skills. In addition, it helps in the way of teamwork, planning, and skill development. It even boosts self-esteem and the ability to concentrate.

Study after study shows that gardening is the way to grow when it comes to planting the seeds for better health. Get started today!