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Gardening is often seen as something that older people do, perhaps when they are retired and looking to keep busy. However, this doesn’t have to be the case and a growing number of young people are saying the same.
The great thing about gardening is you already have a garden, all you need is a few simple tools, such as a spade, fork, rock augers, and perhaps some gloves. The rest is simply a case of physical labor and enjoying the fruits of your labor. Of course, no one gets it right the first time. But, that’s part of what makes gardening fun. After all, you can experiment and adopt the approach that suits you.
The Health Benefits
However, what may surprise you is that gardening isn’t just fun. It actually offers an array of health benefits.
- Physical Activity
Gardening is physical work. You probably don’t think of it as exercise in the same way as going for a run or lifting weights. But, gardening is hard work, you will work up a sweat and elevate your heart rate, that’s what you do when you’re exercising.
Doing as little as 2.5 hours a week can reduce your risk of heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure, and even Type 2 diabetes.
Alongside this, gardening involves lifting and shoveling, which’s a form of resistance training and can help you to improve muscular strength.
- De-Stress
Being in the garden and in the fresh air allows you to focus on the task at hand and nothing else. This allows your body to de-stress as it doesn’t have to think about all the other things going on in your life. De-stressing is important to balance your hormone levels and help you prepare for a new challenge.
- Reduced Risk Of Depression
Depression often occurs when people feel trapped or unable to contribute to society. It may even be caused by an inability to control your own destiny. Gardening gives you control, makes you feel useful, and allows you to contribute to others. In short, you’re much less likely to feel depressed, especially if it’s a beautiful sunny day outside.
- Healthy Food
If you’re gardening and producing your own vegetables then you’ll also benefit from choosing healthier food. The things grown in your garden are natural and have no additives. That means they are better for your body and your overall health.
- Social Skills
You may garden by yourself but you’re likely to chat to neighbors about your gardening techniques and your successes. If you have excess crop you may even want to share it or sell the produce. This means you’ll need to chat with other people, improving your social skills, and potentially feeling happier about life.
Of course, you shouldn’t overlook the simple pleasure of growing your own vegetables and enjoying the flavor. When the first crop succeeds it will be hard to disguise the big grin on your face.
