Benefits of Gardening
Digging your hands into the soil and really getting a feel for the rawness of nature can be a magical way of bettering yourself. What’s not to like about getting outdoors in pleasant weather and spending your days gardening? There are countless benefits to partaking in horticulture – let’s dig in:
Gardening is Mentally Stimulating
Being exposed to the natural elements and not locking oneself inside all day can result in a host of mental benefits, including increased oxygen intake and endorphin release rates. Gardening will help to reduce your stress levels, open your mind, and alter your mood for the better as a result. It’s an incredibly creative art, allowing for only your imagination to serve as the limit for what’s possible. Gardening even helps to reduce Alzheimer’s risk and benefit overall brain health, and you’d be hard-pressed to find a stronger combatant against depression.
Gardening is Fulfilling, Inspiring Work
Nothing beats waking up in the morning to a lush, personally manicured oasis of natural wonder. A little dabbling in horticulture can go a long way in regards to instilling a sense of personal fulfillment and pride. You’ll sleep more soundly as a result of a body that’s been healthily exposed to natural sunlight and fresh air, and gardening on a regular basis might even inspire you to start a new project that gets you outdoors more often.
You Can Minimize Grocery Bills
If you opt for vegetable or spice gardening in addition to those tulips, posies, and marigolds, you’re going to take a bite out of grocery bills in addition to fresh, home-grown goodness that you know you can trust. Taking the size of your available planting area, climate, and direct sunlight exposure into consideration, you could easily plant everything from tomatoes and basil to grapes, strawberries, and even watermelons. Don’t be afraid to try something new. If you have too much for a personal harvest, help out a neighbour or two or even spend a day selling at a local farmer’s market to make a little pocket money.
Huge Physical Health Benefits
It goes without saying that working outdoors is highly beneficial towards your immunity and overall physical health. It’s great for reducing stroke risk and assisting with heart health over time, so long as it is regularly practiced. An increased vitamin D intake stemming from working outdoors will help reduce the risk of various cancers and strengthen bones, negating the risk of osteoporosis. Even 30 minutes of gardening a day will dramatically improve your physical health over time, and chances are you’ll actually feel the difference.
Getting out into the soil and absorbing the nutrient-rich art of horticulture is an ideal way to benefit your health, especially if you’re older or have too busy of a schedule to fit in trips to the gym. Check out our services here at Hansen to see how we can help you plan the garden of your dreams!
Helpful Links:
11 scientific reasons you should be spending more time outside
A prescription for better health: go alfresco
The great outdoors: how a green exercise environment can benefit all