Physical and Mental Health Benefits of Gardening
Blooming into Better Health with Gardening
Whether you decide to start a garden in your yard or prefer planting indoors, gardening is an excellent hobby that supports your mental and physical health. Read on to learn how you and your loved ones can plant your way to blossoming your physical and mental health.
Improves Strength and Dexterity
Gardening is a form of exercise that uses almost every major muscle group, helping to support your physical health by improving muscle strength. Some gardening-related activities that can help to bolster your muscle strength include:
- Shoveling
- Digging
- Raking
- Cutting grass
- Weeding grass
Boosts Your Vitamin D Levels
When you spend time outdoors doing yard work or gardening, you get one of the nutrients your body needs—vitamin D, which helps to support your body’s absorption of calcium.
Along with boosting your vitamin D levels, getting more sun can help your body reduce your risk of developing the following health issues:
- Psoriasis flare-ups
- Breast cancer
- Colorectal cancer
- Bladder cancer
- Multiple sclerosis
Supports Cardiovascular Health
According to the American Heart Association (AHA), it;s recommended that the average adult should aim for 2.5 hours of moderate-intensity physical activity each week. Whether you’re planting seedlings or tending to your lawn, gardening and yard work are an excellent form of low-impact physical activity that helps to support your cardiovascular health.
Improves Mental and Emotional Health
Along with being an excellent way to fill your free time, gardening also helps to promote mental health and emotional wellness. The American Institute of Stress states that gardening can have the following mental health benefits:
- Reduces stress hormones like cortisol.
- Improves the ability to focus.
- Encourages creativity.
- Improves self-confidence.
- Reduces stress levels.
Indoor Gardening Tips
While we still may be facing inclement weather here in Wyoming, that doesn’t mean we have to miss out on the many benefits of gardening while we remain indoors. Here are some tips to help you get started on your gardening journey from the comfort of your own home:
- Move your plants around your home to ensure they get enough warmth and sunlight.
- Keep your plants away from heaters and colf doors or windows.
- Remember not to over-water your indoor plants.
- Prune your plants regularly.
- Use commercial potting mixes rather than dirt from outside.
- Make sure the temperature of your home is stable.
