7 Ways Gardening Can Improve Health

Gardening has taken off since the pandemic hit. And the benefits are many and varied. From increasing curb appeal to bringing in healthy produce, this hobby benefits those who practice it in a number of healthy ways.

1. Gardening Helps Lower Blood Pressure

The exercise of gardening may help reduce high blood pressure. That's right, we called it exercise. The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute recommends 30-45 minutes of gardening each day to lower blood pressure. You might divide this into 10-minute intervals throughout the day if needed, especially on hot, sunny days but get out there and move that soil around.

2. Gardening May Enhance Mental Health

Gardening has been linked to mental health benefits. It can keep the brain busy, and the natural aspect of tending to plants can be refreshing. Plants can also be eye-pleasing, and since they are alive, tending them might provide a sense of purpose. It may even fight depression.

3. Gardening and Stress

Some find the act of digging into soil relaxing and calming, so it may be effective for stress reduction. It may seem like it just happens because you're hanging around in the yard, but the microbes in soil do a lot to boost our well being, including possibly helping to promote serotonin production. Planting gardens has even been used as therapy in some hospitals as a way to reduce stress and anxiety, with studies showing its efficacy.

4. Gardening Can Boost Mood

In addition to reducing stress, many people find gardening perks up their moods. It might the satisfaction of seeing (literally, sometimes) the fruits of one’s labor, or simply being able to watch something thrive, but watching things they’ve tended grow over time seems to lead to a better mood for some people. And a recent study suggests that gardening may improve mood as much as other forms of exercise such as cycling and walking.

5. Gardening Can Improve Food Choices

Need to eat a little healthier? Growing vegetables, herbs and maybe even some fruits can help some people reach for better choices when it's time to munch a meal. Gardening food is generally less expensive and might make it simpler to eat better when the items are within reach. A bowl of fresh veg, grown by one's own hand, is much more likely to promote health than a bowl od candy after all.

6. Health Benefits From Vitamin D

Working in the sun while gardening helps increase vitamin D levels. Normal vitamin D levels help with the absorption of calcium and phosphorus, which helps create healthy and strong bones. The vitamin is also beneficial for DNA repair, antioxidant activity and other important bodily functions. In addition, it helps with sleep, mood, blood pressure, and respiratory health. A daily dose of sunshine is pretty powerful — but of course, not advisable for everyone. Check with a doctor to be sure it's appropriate for you.

7. Weight Loss and Maintenance

For those struggling with weight loss or working to maintain a specific weight goal, gardening might be a great help. As with other physical activities, consistency contributes to fitness, so get out there every day for best results.

Gardening can offer a healthy dose of aerobic exercise to meet physical goals. Gardening involves moving in a variety of ways, such as twisting and bending to plant, pulling weeds, walking back and offers a number of ways to improve mental and physical wellbeing through movement.

So, what are you waiting for? Put that green thumb to use, or develop one anew, and reap all of the benefits that go well beyond the literal harvest.

Copyright 2020, Wellness.com