Go ahead, get dirty. Despite your mother’s reprimands when you were a child, getting your hands dirty is actually good for you.

Scientists believe that exposure to a specific type of naturally-occurring bacteria in soil, Mycobacterium vaccae, stimulates the production of serotonin in the brain, which helps to reduce anxiety and depression.

And don’t worry if you accidentally ingest some of the dirty goodness wiping the sweat off of your face while gardening on a sunny day. Research known as the hygiene hypothesis suggests that dirt helps to build a healthy immune system. Scientists hypothesize that as people in First World countries distance themselves from nature (and dirt) our bodies lose exposure to symbiotic microorganisms, like bacteria, that are needed for our immune systems to develop normally. This explains, they say, the skyrocketing numbers of some diseases over the last century, including seasonal allergies, diabetes, autoimmune disorders and more.

Spring presents us with an opportunity to reconnect with nature and dig our hands in, both figuratively and literally. Get outside and get your hands dirty as you clean up your garden. Natural spaces benefit our bodies and our brains every season of the year. Even if nothing is blossoming in your garden yet, your exposure to soil, a natural antidepressant, will surely help you to bloom this spring.