How Gardening Can Improve Your Health
Yes, digging in the dirt is good for you!
When it comes to good summer activities, you can think of walking, hiking or jogging. But there is another popular hobby that has many benefits, and an added bonus: gardening. Even if you don’t have the greenest thumb, there are many benefits to digging and planting a few health benefits, both physical and mental. And this bonus? You exercise and get a basket of tomatoes, peppers or many other fruits, vegetables or ornamental plants.
But some people think that gardening can damage your body, like your spine. But don’t worry. Find out how gardening is right for you and tips to help you get started.
How good is gardening?
The health benefits of gardening are extensive and work towards one important goal: preventing osteoporosis.
Prevention of osteoporosis
Osteoporosis is a disease in which bones become harder, lose mass and strength, and put them at risk of fracture. Affecting more than 50 million people in the United States alone, it affects people over 50 and affects women more than men. Our bones also tend to soften as we age, which can make them more prone to fractures and breaks. Although these bones can cause a fall, if the soft bones become stronger, you can get such a fracture, especially in the spine, just by coughing or bending over. A healthy diet combined with other factors can help fight osteoporosis. And gardening meets many of these criteria.
Vitamin D
First, you have to leave. You breathe this fresh air and you cover the sun which promotes vitamin D. It is important to get regular, unprotected sun exposure a few times a week to provide your body with essential vitamins that make bones strong and help your body absorb calcium.
Weight-bearing exercise
Everyone knows that exercise is good for your health, but gardening provides the perfect balance, especially for people at risk of osteoporosis: it not only gives you exercise that can strengthen your bones, but also easy exercise for people of all ages. When you exercise in the pool, you get cardio and strength work, but you don’t get the bone. When you’re gardening, you’ll get this boost through weight-bearing exercise like walking and using your gardening tools. You use these muscles in some way to move both the bones and the muscles.
It is the best form of exercise, he says, to prevent softening of the bones.
Brain health
Regular gardening has many benefits for brain health. Although many studies have focused on how gardening can be a good therapy for people with dementia, some studies also show that gardening is one of the many activities that can prevent dementia.
Mental health benefits
Gardening also has some mental health benefits. In addition to the emotional boost that comes from being outside in the fresh air, you feel a sense of satisfaction when you see your plants growing and growing. Gardening gives you the opportunity to be satisfied in the mind because you see the flowers, you smell the fresh garden and you can bring your fresh vegetables. You see progress and feel a sense of accomplishment.
It can also provide opportunities for social interaction, whether you are in your garden or a community park. Once you enter your yard, you will see your neighbors or other people and have the opportunity to interact.
Gardening is a great way to socialize during the worst of the pandemic, when social distancing is essential. People in their fields maintain social relationships, a good way to communicate with others at a time when face-to-face is very limited.
