8 Health Benefits of Gardening
Health Benefits of Gardening
In times of uncertainty, our gardens serve as a place of peace and solitude. As we connect with nature, time seems to slow down and an abundance of research proves that playing in the dirt can do wonders for your wellbeing. Here are 8 ways exercising your green thumb can benefit you.
Health Benefits of Gardening
Relieve Stress
Gardening can be a form of therapy to reduce depression and anxiety. 1
Increase Happiness
The act of growing plants can help boost your mood and make you more hopeful for the future.1
Eat Healthier
Growing your own food gives you and your family easy access to healthy veggies, herbs and fruits and can help prevent picky eaters.2
Concentrate Better
Exposure to nature and outdoor activities can help reduce ADHD symptoms in children.3 And plants in the office can help boost adults' attention span.4
Burn Calories
Yard work and gardening can help you burn up to 330 calories an hour, which can help with weight loss.5 It can also help improve strength, stamina and flexibility.6
Strengthen Bones
Sunlight triggers your body to produce vitamin D, which helps you absorb minerals needed for strong healthy bones.7 Gardening can help prevent vitamin D deficiency.8
Lower Blood Pressure
High blood pressure is dangerous because it makes your heart work too hard and increases risk of stroke. Gardening and yard work for 30-45 minutes can help lower blood pressure.9
Sleep Better
Purposeful physical activities like gardening can help you develop better sleep habits.10
Sources
1. Preventative Medicine Reports, 2017
2. American Journal of Public Health, 2015
3. American Journal of Public Health, 2004
4. Scientific American, 2011
5. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2015
6. American Association of Retired Persons, 2017
7. National Institutes of Health, 2019
8. Public Library of Science, 2014
9. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, 2003
10. University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, 2015
