Gardening can improve your health for many reasons. Most people in the U.S. spend 90% of their time indoors, which is an unhealthy and unnatural lifestyle. This sedentary and disconnected way of living can lead to several health problems, such as obesity. Gardening gets you outside and active, thereby combating many health issues.
Here are seven reasons how spending more time gardening can benefit your health:
- Reduces Stress and Anxiety: Gardening can reduce stress and anxiety by lowering cortisol levels (the stress hormone). A study has shown that people who gardened after a stressful day were in a better mood than those who relaxed by reading.
- Works Out the Body: Gardening is an excellent workout to burn calories without expensive equipment. Light gardening and yard work can burn almost 350 calories in an hour, and 30-45 minutes of gardening three to five times a week is a healthy routine recommended by the National Institute of Health.
- Reduces the Risk of Stroke and Osteoporosis: Gardening can help reduce the risk of stroke (as well as swimming and jogging) and osteoporosis. Engaging repeatedly in activities like digging, planting, and weeding that require strength or stretching provides all the major muscle groups with a workout.
- Increases Happiness: Flowers are a natural moderator of moods, and gardening impacts happiness while producing long-term positive effects. Gardening cultivates intimacy and connection with nature, making our lives more meaningful and helps us focus on the beauty of our surroundings, which in turn allows us to experience more abundance, gratitude, and pleasure in our lives.
- Improves Relationships: People who spend time nurturing plants and flowers tend to have better relationships. Caring for nature increases empathy towards others and fosters compassion, allowing us to form better relationships.
- Lowers Risk of Dementia: Gardening may help lower the risk of dementia as physical activity associated with gardening can help keep the body active and healthy. Two separate studies have shown that regular gardeners have a lower risk of dementia compared to non-gardeners.
- Strengthens the Immune System: Being out in the sun increases the body’s vitamin D intake, which helps the body absorb calcium and maintain bone mass. Calcium strengthens the bones and the immune systems overall health.
When gardening, remember to drink a lot of water to remain hydrated and apply sunscreen to protect your skin from harmful rays. Wearing a hat and gloves to protect your head, shoulders, and hands is also advisable. Take breaks when feeling tired or weak, and consider adding your favorite music to your gardening experience.