How Gardening Can Improve Your Overall Health

Written by: Alessia Carpino

Gardening is a fun and positive activity that gives people joy, but did you know that there are great improvements it brings to your overall health? Gardening can improve your mood, decrease risks of diseases, help you bond with your loved ones and so much more.

Gardening is beneficial on many levels, from physical and mental health aspects and beyond. For example, removing negativity, being in a calming environment and supporting your immune system are some of gardening’s many benefits. This significantly positive activity is something people can integrate into their routine to live healthier lives.

Gardening encourages us to acknowledge, appreciate and protect nature while enjoying the great outdoors. Outdoor gardening creates peaceful and calming mindsets and physically active bodies. Being surrounded by nature encourages the elimination of negativity, keeping the focus on positivity and happiness. If you don’t have time for gardening, try looking at some pictures of nature, like some pretty flowers. Did you know that gardening is a great way to get some exercise? According to the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), yard work or some light gardening burns about 330 calories per hour, which is equivalent to the number of calories burned while dancing and more than walking. Through movement, gardening can increase your heart rate and lower your risk of obesity and heart disease.

This hobby can also support your immune system. When the Sun’s rays are absorbed by our skin, vitamin D is produced. This vitamin assists our immune system so we can fight off viruses and infections better. Vitamin D also helps us absorb calcium to keep our bones, teeth and muscles healthy.

Gardening can even help to lower your blood pressure. In multiple studies, elderly women had decreased blood pressure and anxiety levels by gardening or holding objects similar to gardening tools. Moving every day is important for all age groups, and gardening can help everyone live healthier lives.

In addition to improving your blood pressure, gardening is a great stress reliever, as many studies have shown that gardeners experienced less stress, anxiety and depression.

Another great perk to gardening is the benefit it provides for brain health among adults in their sixties and seventies. In a study geared to this specific age demographic, researchers discovered that those who regularly gardened were 36% less likely to have symptoms of mental ageing than non-gardeners, even when other health implications were considered.

If you’re looking for a new and healthy activity to enjoy with your family, then gardening is your solution! School gardening programs can teach kids and youth how to care for plants, fruits and vegetables while educating them about nutrition. One study discovered that when kids took part in gardening programs, they ate more vegetables. Another study from McMaster University found that adults who gardened had an improved quality of life. Check out the many benefits of school food gardens here and explore our website to see how gardening can improve your life.

When the pandemic ends, the social and physical components of community gardens are a great way to improve your overall health. While you may not be able to do this now, it’ll be something to look forward to soon.

Additionally, maintaining a healthy garden can help you eat your greens. When you’re growing your healthy food, you can conveniently pick some fruit, vegetables and herbs from the comfort of your home. You may also feel proud that your work has paid off by growing your own tasty and nutritional snack.

Lastly, eating plant-based meals instead of meat is one of the greatest changes you can make to improving worldwide environmental issues. Reducing your water footprint, lowering the number of greenhouse gases on our planet, saving animals’ lives and improving your overall health in the process are just some of the many benefits of converting to a plant-based diet.

Hopefully, this array of health benefits relating to gardening has inspired you and others to start this hobby to improve your overall health and life. If you would like to read the second part of this article, please read my next post “3 Plants that Significantly Improve your Overall Health”. Happy gardening!