Are you looking for a way to improve your physical and mental health? The answer might be in your yard. The physical and mental benefits of gardening make it a beneficial activity for everyone, regardless of age, ability, or circumstance.
1. Gardening Keeps Your Body Healthy
Gardening is an exercise that may not seem like much of a workout, but it is. A 30-minute session of gardening can burn between 200 and 300 calories, depending on the person’s body size and the type of work they are doing. The more you garden, the more calories you’ll burn.
It is even friendly for people with joint problems because you can dig or rake at whatever level of intensity you are comfortable with. If you struggle with holding objects, you can invest in ergonomic tools like efficient electric leaf blowers, which can get rid of a pile of fallen leaves fast silently.
Gardening is a good way to get your heart rate up and get the blood flowing, which results in healthier circulation. This exercise will help decrease your risk for cardiovascular disease and build muscle strength in the major muscle groups. It also increases bone density, making it an excellent option for osteoporosis prevention.
Lastly, this activity helps boost your immune system by keeping your body moving and breathing fresh air. In the morning, you can also soak up the sun and generate vitamin D, which is essential for the proper functioning of the nervous system and the effective absorption of calcium.
2. Gardening Keeps Your Mind Healthy
A garden can serve as a calming space that helps you relax and wash away the stress of the day. Taking care of plants and flowers and watching them grow is pretty therapeutic. For people who don’t have enough time to get out of the house, having potted plants around can be helpful too.
Some studies also suggest that a garden could decrease the risk of chronic illnesses. The activity increases beta waves in your brain (beta waves are associated with increased alertness), which has been linked to improved memory retention and reaction times.
Spending time out in nature also makes you appreciate the world around you more. It provides an opportunity for quality family bonding, self-reflection, and personal growth. Perhaps best of all, it gives people a sense that they are connected with something greater than themselves, which fosters inner peace.
3. This Activity Improves Your Mental Health
Gardening can have a powerful impact on your self-esteem and self-worth. What you’re doing is creating something beautiful, which boosts your sense of pride and accomplishment.
Taking care of plants can give you the motivation to eat healthier because it has fueled your body with energy-boosting produce. Gardening also reminds people about how much they are capable of accomplishing in their lives, empowering them to go after other goals as well.
It also helps foster social connections by giving gardeners something positive to talk about with others or helping them make friends that share similar interests. This activity has been known to improve mental health overall, lowering the risk for depression and anxiety while making people feel more relaxed and at ease throughout the day.
Engaging in the activity can also prevent you from ruminating or brooding since you’re too busy to overthink things. And it can serve as a useful coping mechanism for people who are dealing with very stressful or traumatic events in their lives.
4. Gardening Keeps Your Wallet Healthy
This activity doesn’t have to be expensive, so it’s helpful for people on a tight budget. You can purchase plants and seeds at your local nursery for relatively cheap prices. Pots and tools don’t need to be of high quality either. You can find some decent ones at dollar stores or thrift shops that will get the job done without draining your wallet too much.
Not only is this an affordable option, but it also has some economic benefits. Some employers offer discounts and credits when their employees engage in outdoor activities like gardening. Others may even include this activity in their wellness programs, helping cut insurance costs and keep employees happy and healthy.
Most of all, you can grow a food garden and save tons of money on groceries. Even if you have a small yard, you can opt for container gardening. All it takes is a bit of imagination and creativity to get started.
Gardening is a healthy hobby that can benefit you both physically and mentally. It doesn’t cost a lot of money, either, so it’s a smart investment. So what are you waiting for? Start digging and planting!
