There are so many things to love about gardening. The dirt under your nails. The fresh breeze as you pull weeds. The warm sun on your face after a long winter. Yes, we all know gardening is good for the soul… but did you know it’s also good for your health?
Gardening Helps You Build Confidence
It takes a lot of effort to make a garden grow. Even those with the greenest of thumbs find garden prep to be a bit challenging at times. But once you begin to see the literal fruits of your labor, it will give you a boost of confidence knowing the hard work paid off. As your garden grows and thrives, you can proudly say “I grew that!” And that’s a feeling like no other.
Gardening Helps You Reduce Stress
After a prolonged day full of grown-up decisions and hard conversations, you can relax and relieve that pent-up stress by working in your garden.
Gardening interrupts your overthinking brain by focusing on something else. The tasks are intentional and often offer an immediate result – like pulling weeds, adding mulch, watering, etc. Seeing your garden spring to life can help you pause and reflect on the beauty of creation.
Also, getting your hands in dirt stirs up mycrobacterium vaccae (aka m. vaccae) – a healthy bacteria found in soil and, when inhaled, reduces anxiety and increases your serotonin levels. (Check out some more reasons behind Why Dirt is Good for You HERE)
Gardening Helps You Eat Better
There are so many health benefits to growing and consuming your own fruits, vegetables, or herbs. Fresh-from-the-garden produce is full of perfectly crafted vitamins and nutrients in their purest forms.
Gardening Helps You Physically
Okay, gardening may not be as fast-paced as a game of flag football, but it still gives your body an opportunity to be physically active.
For example, when you dig a hole with a shovel, spread fertilizer with a rake, prune a shrub with sheers or yank a pesky weed, your hands and fingers are getting a full workout.
In addition to strength training, your heart gets a cardiovascular workout, too. Your lungs are filled with fresh air and your skin soaks up vitamin D. That infusion of vitamin D helps to increase calcium levels that support your immune system and bones. (Psst – don’t forget the sunscreen.)
Plus, just think of all the calories you’ll be burning!
Gardening Helps Your Brain
In addition to physical benefits, gardening is also good for your brain. Research in memory studies has shown that nerve growth in participants’ brains increased after they started a vegetable garden. The combination of physical work and the thought process associated with planning and maintaining a garden can improve your memory function and learning skills.
If you’re looking for a good reason to start a garden, do it for your health! Stop by the greenhouse to get some hands-on inspiration and a big deep breath of M. vaccae to get you started!
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