At the American Medical Association Interim Meeting in National Harbor, Maryland, Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine (LECOM) second-year medical student, Betsy Barrueta Alvarez, presented a pioneering study entitled, Cultivating Calm: Evaluating the Efficacy of Gardening to Reduce Anxiety Levels in Medical School Students.
The research, coauthored by fellow second-year student, Maiya Singer, and mentored by Dr. Munir S. Syed, at LECOM-Bradenton, explored the impact of gardening upon reducing anxiety in medical students.
The study found a significant improvement in the autonomic nervous system domain of anxiety, suggesting that gardening can be a powerful tool in alleviating stress and promoting mental well-being. “Our research shows that gardening offers a simple, low-cost intervention that can help medical students better manage stress and improve overall health,” said Barrueta Alvarez.
Given the high rates of anxiety in medical education, this research advocates for incorporating nature-based activities into academic routines to support students’ mental health. Gardening, a surprisingly effective yet accessible practice, could provide medical students with an alternative method for managing stress outside traditional clinical settings.
Looking ahead, Barrueta Alvarez and Singer plan to expand their study, exploring various types of gardening and their potential benefits for student well-being. Their work highlights a growing need for innovative approaches to mental health in medical education.