If you enjoy gardening or currently have a garden, you could be deriving more pleasure from your hobby than you thought you are. Gardening has been proven to be good for your health, reducing stress levels, lowering blood pressure and even helping you live longer.
A Form of Exercise
Gardening may even provide better exercise than going to the gym. Activities such as digging and raking are good steady exercises. Every element of time spent in the garden, even simply taking a leisurely stroll and watering the plants, burns calories. Furthermore, the more time you spend cultivating your green space, the more exercise you’ll be providing your body with.
Improves The Health of Older People
Tending a garden especially benefits people that are advanced in age. Waiting for a new shoot or bud to appear helps them to look ahead positively. Subsequently, the garden provides an antidote to the pain and frustration of old age and gives them something to look forward to. Older people often feel discouraged because of an increasing dependency on others. the need to be in control is met by our control of what we plant, how we plan the garden, and how it is tended. And the need to care is again fulfilled.
Good for Mental Health
Those suffering from mental health problems often feel relaxed when working in a beautiful, peaceful environment. Further, growing flowers or food for others may help such individuals to regain confidence and self-respect. Gardening can make you feel more peaceful and content. Focusing your attention on the immediate tasks and details of gardening can reduce negative thoughts and feelings and can make you feel better in the moment. Just spending time around plants eases stress for many people.
Provides you with Fresh Vegetables
One of the best things a person can do for themselves is to know the source of the food they eat. Gardening can provide you with nutritious vegetables and fruits for your dinner table. You have absolute control over how the fruits and vegetables are grown. It could also help you get unlimited access to fresh flowers if you so desire.
Outdoor Gardening Helps Body Fight Disease
Your skin uses sunlight to make Vitamin D, one of the nutrients you need. Vitamin D is essential for literally hundreds of body functions — strengthening your bones and your immune system are just two of them. It can help to prevent skin cancer as well. A little sunshine in the garden goes a very long way in your body.
So if you are not gardening, why not start now? It doesn’t have to be a big space. It could be a small patch. Over time you will begin to see the benefits. If you’re confused about what to start with, check here for a small list of spices you can choose from.
