Gardening preserves cognitive function and may also help prevent neurodegenerative diseases like Dementia, Parkinson's Disease, among others. A new study, which was conducted by researchers in the UK, showed that those who grew and nurtured plants as well as lived in greener environments slowed down their cognitive decline. Intrestingly, there is already enough empirical evidence that shows plants reduce stress and improve memory and recall. It is because of this that many countries have care farms, which get their name from the way they serve people's impulses to work and connect with others. Speaking to the BBC, Henreitte Bringsjord, whose parents founded one of such farms, said, "My mum and dad loved farm work, and they thought about how hard it is for people with dementia to stop working and lose their social life. So, they wanted to help people with dementia become a part of life again." How Do Plants Help You Boost Neurological Pathways?The study, which was published in the Journal of Environmental Psychology, stated that nature can significantly increase physical activity and social connection while reducing stress, which has multiple positive knock-on effects such as blood pressure, blood sugar control and healthy weight. According to health experts, physical activities really have immense health benefits, but gardening surcharges those.To test the same, researchers from the University of Edinburgh investigated if there might be a link between gardening and changes in our intelligence over our lifetimes. The study compared the intelligence test scores of participants at age 11 and age 79. All the participants in the study were residents of Edinburgh and were traced throughout their lifetimes. Of the 467 people tested, almost 31 per cent had never gardened, but 43 per cent regularly did. The results showed that those who spent time gardening showed greater lifetime improvement in their cognitive ability than those who never or rarely did. "Between the ages of 79 and 90, cognitive ability, including memory, problem solving, and word fluency, generally declined across the board, but the earlier advantage of gardeners endured", researchers of the study said. Besides gardening, these are the activities that can also help you boost cognitive health. 1. Physical Exercise: Improves blood flow to the brain and promotes neurogenesis.2. Mental Exercises: Engaging in puzzles, chess, and memory games enhances problem-solving skills and memory.3. Reading and Learning: Reading diverse materials or learning a new language strengthens neural connections.4. Playing Musical Instruments: Enhances cognitive processing and coordination.5. Social Interactions: Meaningful conversations and group activities stimulate cognitive and emotional processing.6. Mindfulness and Meditation: Reduces stress and improves focus and attention span.7. Adequate Sleep: Supports memory consolidation and cognitive function.8. Healthy Diet: Consuming foods rich in omega-3s, antioxidants, and vitamins promotes brain health.9. Hobbies and New Skills: Learning new skills or hobbies keeps the brain active and engaged.10. Cognitive Training Apps: Apps designed for memory and focus training can provide structured mental workouts.ALSO READ: 6 Tips To Take Care Of Your Gut Health By Celebrity Doctor Steven Grundy