How Gardening Boosts your Health and Well-Being
Being outside is good for our health and well-being, but you don’t have to go far to get the benefits. Spending time in your own garden can be good for your health in lots of different ways. Here are some tips on why gardening is good for us, and why you should get out there and build an outside space to be proud of.
Exercise
Gardening can sometimes be hard work, especially if you are starting from scratch. There’s digging over the flower beds to be done, weeding and planting. All this add up to a cardio workout, strengthens and tones the muscles, and improves flexibility with the bending and stretching actions. If you are finding work in the garden too difficult, remember that you only have to do a little at a time to see the benefits to your garden and your health.
Fresh Air
Being outside in the fresh air helps clear our lungs, and adds oxygen to the blood. It also makes us feel good to feel fresh air on our skin. For some, however, being outside can have its drawbacks, and that is if you are someone who has allergies. Pollen from flowers, grasses, and trees can cause an immune response when they enter the body, resulting in itchy, watery eyes, sneezing, and sometimes triggering conditions such as asthma. It is a good idea to get tested for allergies, so you can find the right medication and enjoy your time outdoors. Learn more about allergy testing to decide if it is right for you.
Boosts Immunity
When you are in your garden, you are exposed to many sorts of organic matter and compounds that you would not be in contact with if you stayed indoors. This is good for our health because it strengthens the immune system. It means that you will be better able to fight off viruses and bugs that make you feel unwell.
Relaxation
One of the best things about gardening is that it gives you time and space to think and relax. Gardening is creative, and that helps to improve your mood. Stress is a leading cause of illness, so creating a haven where you can get away from it all is something that can make a difference to your mental health. You don’t need to have a large garden or be a skilled gardener to make a beautiful outdoor space. Having somewhere to sit, and some flowers or plants in pots can be enough. If you have more space, planting fruit trees gives you some shade as well as some fresh produce to enjoy.
Gardening is something that anyone of all ages and abilities can do. Even if you are short on space, or just have a balcony, you can still plant flowers, fruit, vegetables, and herbs in pots, window boxes or planters fixed to walls. If you are feeling like you could use the benefits of being outdoors, begin with your garden and create space where you can relax, socialize or enjoy the environment.