Why gardening is good for you!

  1. Reduced risk of stroke

According to The British Medical Journal gardening can help reduce the risk of a heart attack or stroke. When looking at the age group 60+ gardening can help prolong life by up to as much as 30{8633c3e0fbd16c0d1ccecd0f6e2167f0640dc23c98358eb34ac808b500a94f22}.

  1. Burns calories

Gardening can be a hard workout depending on what you do and for how long. A simple 1 hour of gardening could help you to burn up to 330 calories. Also, if you garden for three to four hours, you could easily burn as many calories as you would from one hour in the gym. Therefore, The National Institute of Health recommend 30-45 minutes of gardening for three to five times per week. Which could be a perfect solution for those not wanting to visit the gym.

  1. Stress relief

Gardening as a form of exercise can be good for you as it helps to release endorphins, the hormone that helps to make people feel satisfied and relaxed. Furthermore, being outside in direct contact with the sunlight could help improve your mood. Similar to that of Seasonal Affective Disorder, a type of depression that occurs during the winter months where sunlight is restricted.

  1. Improved immune system

Also, another advantage of the sun is that it can help you absorb plenty of vitamin D. In short, Vitamin D can help your body to absorb calcium, which in turn, can help keep your bone strong and your immune system healthy.

  1. Responsibility

Maintaining a garden and keeping plants alive is a great responsibility. This can give you a real sense of self-worth and purpose.

  1. Free anger therapy

If you have experienced a bad day simply grabbing a shovel and doing some heavy digging or drastic pruning could be a great way to rid of your built up of negative feelings. Furthermore, destroying unwanted brambles and weeds is a convenient way to exert anger as if you don’t destroy them they may soon take over your garden!

  1. Sensory

Spending time in the garden is a great way to enhance your sensory system. With all the different smells, colours and textures of plants around you can easily make the most of your body’s abilities.

  1. Growing fruit and vegetables

Growing fruit and vegetables in your garden can be good for you as you can include your produce in your diet. Apples, tomatoes, carrots, in your garden, could all help you reach your daily five a day.

  1. Decreases osteoporisis

Osteoporosis is a disease that can weaken bones and therefore increases the likelihood of a broken bone. Therefore, by regularly gardening you will take part in repetitive tasks that can ensure all the major muscle groups are getting a good workout. This can help decrease the risk of osteoporosis.

  1. Reduced risk of dementia

There has been research that suggests engaging in a physical activity such as gardening can help lower the risk of developing dementia. For instance, one study following a group of people in their 60s and 70s for 16 years found that those who gardened regularly had between a 36{8633c3e0fbd16c0d1ccecd0f6e2167f0640dc23c98358eb34ac808b500a94f22} – 47{8633c3e0fbd16c0d1ccecd0f6e2167f0640dc23c98358eb34ac808b500a94f22} lower risk of developing dementia compared to non-gardeners.