Are you thinking about starting a garden? If so, it carries a wide array of benefits, such as improved mental health, stronger physical health, more sunshine, and additional family time. Overall, it’s a great outdoor activity if you don’t like exercising indoors.
You’ll be in tune with nature, and you’ll feel happier. That said, gardening is hard work and is more strenuous than many people think. However, the rewards are exceptional.
This article will reveal more about the benefits of gardening. Read further to know more.
Mental Health Benefits
Gardening is a soothing endeavor that can place your mind at ease. It’s a labor-intensive undertaking that allows you to take your mind off things. It’s an especially good activity if you suffer from anxiety or depression.
When it comes to anxiety, the soil can release serotonin levels in your body. When working in a garden, you’ll inhale a beneficial bacteria from the ground called M. vaccae, which lowers anxiety by boosting serotonin levels.
Additionally, gardening gives you a sense of accomplishment. You’ll feel a sense of reward when you see your plants blossom into a mature state. You’ll also develop a sense of purpose as you complete garden-related tasks, boosting your self-esteem in the process.
The time you spent nurturing plants, satsuma trees, or vegetables will make you feel like you can accomplish anything. If you’re tending a vegetable patch, for example, pat yourself on the back, as growing food from the ground is a serious commitment.
Improve Your Diet
If you choose to grow fruits and vegetables, you’ll fall into the habit of eating healthier. Additionally, home-grown fruits and vegetables are far superior to the store-bought variety.
Plus, you’ll have peace of mind knowing that the food you eat won’t contain pesticides or contaminants. Moreover, fruits and vegetables can reduce your cravings for junk food.
A diet that includes more plant-based food can even reduce the number of times you eat out per week. After growing quality food in your garden, the desire for fast food and other restaurant items will slowly wane.
- Note: You may be concerned about pests and diseases when it comes to growing food. However, some fruits and veggies are more resistant to diseases and pests than others. For example, growing broccoli isn’t as hard as growing other vegetables because it doesn’t contend with many diseases.
Fruits and vegetables will keep you full compared to empty calories and sugar. Further, a diet that comprises more plants will help you lose weight and avoid negative carbs.
Over time, you’ll notice that more of your diet consists of fruits and vegetables. Also, the quality of your food will improve, especially if you choose to grow an herb garden. You can grow different types of herbs and spices to enhance your meals.
Enhance Your Physical Health
Since gardening is a rigorous activity, don’t be surprised if you lose some weight in the process. Consider the following types of activity during a typical gardening session:
- Walking extensively
- Lifting bags
- Pulling away plants
- Digging holes
- Using a lawnmower
- Using tools
In particular, the tools and other equipment will increase your hand strength. Also, the act of moving around will improve your heart health as you burn calories.
Further, gardening helps you breathe cleaner air. Indoor pollution plagues your respiratory tract. Breathing in the fresh air promotes respiratory health.
Getting Plenty of Sun
The sun provides your body with Vitamin D. This vitamin offers plenty of benefits, such as reducing stress and promoting weight loss.
When it comes to weight loss, vitamin D can suppress your appetite. Other benefits of vitamin D include:
- A stronger immune system
- Healthy growth of teeth and bones
- Stronger emotional stability
- Reduced risk of long-term disease (i.e. heart disease or multiple sclerosis)
- Reduced risk of contracting the flu
When it comes to preventing disease, the increased levels of vitamin D in your blood can prevent cancer and osteoporosis. Many people are deficient in vitamin D, especially children that don’t play outside.
Family Time
Gardening is a great way to get all family members out of the house. It’s also a great way to spend time together and away from the drudgeries of life. All too often, family members don’t have enough time to interact with one another routinely.
Perhaps you’re part of a family that doesn’t do family activities often. Perhaps you and your spouse are having trouble connecting. Regardless, a garden can help you forge stronger social bonds.
Moreover, it can appeal to people of different persuasions. Perhaps the kids want to grow a veg patch, while you and your spouse may want to nurture a flower garden.
A garden will also improve a child’s health. Kids that interact with dirt more often develop stronger immune responses.
As a result, you can help your child reduce the likelihood of autoimmune diseases and allergens. Studies suggest that children who are outdoors more than four hours a day are less likely to develop eyesight problems.
Starting a Garden Is Easy
If you’ve never tended a garden, it’s never too late to learn. Do you want to grow fruits or vegetables? Are you more interested in flowers or trees?
Determining your gardening interests will set you in the right direction. Gardening is a commitment, but the payoffs will improve your mental health.
It will ease stress and give you some purpose. If you grow food, you’ll eat healthier, and the intense activity will help you lose weight. Gardening allows family and friends to participate as well.
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