How Gardening Is Good For You
By Sara Butler
Spring is right around the corner, and if you’re itching to get back into your garden, then you probably already how good gardening makes you feel. But it’s not just the feeling it gives you because gardening is actually good for your mind as well as your body. Here are a few of the ways gardening is good for your overall health that might just surprise you.
It Lowers Anxiety and Stress
Digging in the dirt helps to reduce your stress levels and also helps to lessen your mental fatigue. Studies have shown that gardening for 30 minutes has a pretty big impact on your stress levels. That means your mood will be better too!
It Lowers Your Risk of Diabetes and Heart Disease
According to the National Institutes of Health, heart disease and diabetes impact the lives of millions of Americans. In fact, if you have diabetes, then you are two to four times more likely to die from complications related to heart disease than someone without diabetes. So, the two diseases go hand in hand.
When you work in your garden you are reducing your stress levels and staying physically active – both important factors in the fight against heart disease and diabetes. Plus, growing your own nutritious vegetables and fruits in the garden is a great way to promote a healthy diet!
It Increases Your Happiness
Many people are just plain happy when they get to work in their garden – and that’s backed up by science. Many studies have found a direct link between depression and anxiety and the time spent outside. So, stave off the blues by using your garden as an outlet for stress and create something beautiful that makes you happy.
It Helps to Keep Your Mind Sharp
The Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease published a study that found that physical activities such as gardening can help cut your risk of developing dementia and Alzheimer’s by half. Other studies have also found horticultural therapy to improve the well-being of dementia patients. So, stay sharp as a tack in your garden!
It Improves Sleep
You can improve your sleep quality by working in your garden, too. Physical activity helps you to sleep better at night as well as get to sleep faster. Plus, the reduction in stress levels from working in your garden means that sleep will find you easier at night, too.
To learn more about your health and wellness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic.
