Health Benefits of Gardening
As we weather through these current changing circumstances and all the talk about spending more time outdoors, I thought I would pose the question, “Are there any health benefits with gardening?” Here are the results.
Gardening can build your self-esteem. Even if you live in an area where you cannot go till
the soil, a small patio, balcony, or container garden can be very rewarding. Starting a small herbal garden can bring great results and reduce your grocery bill. A bag of potting soil, a few seed packets, and a container is all that is needed. By taking the time to research growing techniques offered online, through the local farmers markets, home improvement stores and through the local state universities, you will learn what time of year to plant, harvest and monitor your results. From gardening to nature walks,
identifying plants, birds, bugs, or animal life in your neck of the woods, the only limiting factor is your imagination.
With many of our school aged children learning remotely, gardening can be a family affair. Most kids like getting their hands dirty and watching plants grow from seed to flowering plant. As a family project this will provide a gentle distraction from the constant news on the t.v. and get them outdoors, breathing the fresh air, basking in the sun, or jumping in rain puddles. Either way, being outdoors is a mood booster.
By getting increased sun exposure we all benefit from our bodies natural production of
Vitamin D. Vitamin D supports muscle function, bone health and strengthens our immune system.
Increasing our physical activity strengthens our hearts and reduces stress. By checking on your garden’s growth, watering plants, pulling weeds, and keeping an eye open for butterflies, dragon flies, beetles and such, will make for more conversation as we ask more questions, conduct research and compare our discovery with others. That sounds like a great way to build gardening techniques and learn about the world around us.
Physical activity also improves your sleep. Getting enough sleep each day allows our
bodies to heal, improves our thinking ability, our memory, reduces stress and balances those “feel good” brain chemicals that improves our mood, and makes us feel happy. Getting at least 8 hours of sleep can improve your immune function and help fight the common cold.
By increasing your physical activity helps build and strengthen muscle! Hey all that time outdoors hiking, trailblazing and even gardening (if you have a back yard garden), builds lung capacity, stamina, endurance and strengthens our muscles. Stronger muscles help to keep us healthy.
This is not an all-inclusive list of health benefits, so send your reply and add your thoughts to this list. I will add responses and re-post.