Benefits of Gardening on Your Health
A garden serves more than just being a beautiful space. Besides enjoying pleasant areas for relaxation and leisure, it allows you to engage in gardening, which has proven physical and mental health benefits. Here are some of them:
Calorie Burn – Did you know that gardening is considered moderate to intense physical exercise, and you can burn a significant number of calories while doing it? It’s one of the best ways to stay in shape. Being a true physical activity also helps in controlling blood pressure.
Growing Your Own Food – In the garden, you can grow some of the vegetables and fruits you consume, which is not only rewarding but also excellent for a healthy diet with fresh produce. Having a small vegetable garden or fruit trees, for example, can also be educational, as children can learn and experience different fruits.
Stress Relief – Various studies have shown that gardening reduces depression and anxiety levels. Plants are now used in hospitals and clinics because they have a very positive impact on patients’ rehabilitation, both physically and mentally. In addition to learning a new skill, it helps them regain confidence in their abilities, as they feel capable of caring for something. It also provides an escape from the daily routine for many people who work indoors and in front of screens.
Bone Health – Being outdoors increases vitamin D levels due to sun exposure, which helps the body absorb calcium, which is essential for the bones.
Immune System Boost – Being outside, working with soil, and interacting with the garden exposes us to different microbes, which help strengthen the immune system.
Happiness – In summary, growing plants and being surrounded by them improves anyone’s mood. Numerous studies show that gardening and contact with gardens increase the quality of life and reduce mood disorders. Taking care of something, and watching it grow, makes us feel good and believe in the future.
Now, do you know where to begin?
Amália Souto de Miranda, Landscape Architect