Benefits of Gardening
Gardening is a common activity, especially during the summer months. It can be a great way to get outside and enjoy nature. Not only does the activity produce beautiful flowers, it can also help you physically and mentally. Here are some of the ways gardening can help your health goals sprout.
1. Gardening promotes exercise:
The Mayo Clinic states, while gardening, you perform functional movement that mimics whole body exercise. For example, you are performing squats and lunges while weeding. Digging, raking and other gardening efforts can work large muscle groups.
- 2. It improves your diet:
- When you are growing your own fruits and vegetables it can help you choose more healthier options to put on your plate.
- 3. It reduces stress levels:
- According to the Mayo Clinic, gardening has been shown to lighten mood and lower levels of stress and anxiety. Becky Kay, the founder of Survivors of Suicide Loss, says planting in her garden helped her while dealing with the loss of her two sons. “My yard became a place where there was peace, and it has a peaceful feel to it. And one day I realized I had prayer flags out there that I had made. I made things and worked through my grief by planting flowers and watching them grow.” Another way gardening can reduce stress is that it can get you into a routine that provides structure. The Mayo Clinic states structure is linked to improved mental health.
Benefits of Indoor Planting
If you don’t have the space for a garden, houseplants are also beneficial. According to the Healthline:
- Indoor plants can reduce stress levels:
A study by the Journal of Physiological Anthropology shows that house plants can lower your stress response. The study looked at a pool of 24 men. Half of the group did a computer task and the other did a transplanting task. It found that the group that performed the transplanting task was more soothed. The study also found that taking care of houseplants can lower your blood pressure. And like gardening, it helps you create a routine that is beneficial to your mental health.
- Indoor plants can improve air quality:
Research by the University of Birmingham found that some house plants can reduce a common pollutant, Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2) by 20 percent. Click here for some of the best house plants that can provide better air quality. You can also read more about plants that are safe for pets and children.
For gardening tips and recipes click here.
Wellzesta
Wellzesta Life encourages holistic wellness, and gardening is the perfect way for plant lovers to increase their Environmental wellness.
Wellzesta Life’s daily wellness content also includes additional resources to further users’ interest and knowledge of the healing power of plants.
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