5 Reasons Why Gardening is Good for Your Health

Gardening is a great activity for a variety of reasons. The U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH) notes how it provides physical activity, exposure to nature and sunlight, and otherwise contributes to a healthier lifestyle. Let’s take a look at the following ways gardening is good for your health.

1. Excellent Form of Exercise

It is well-known that exercise helps build a stronger body and encourages a healthier lifestyle. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention lists light gardening and yard work as “moderate physical activity.” Gardening easily fits into developing a healthy all-around exercise routine.

• Offers good cardio workouts
• Encourages muscle building
• Contributes to bone strengthening (preventing softening)
• Burns calories

Think about all the activities taking place in the garden. You dig, lift, rake, shovel, plant, weed, and, if you use a wheelbarrow or mow, you can get a good full-body workout.

2. Eating Your Garden Bounty is Healthy

By growing and eating your own food, you support a commitment to a healthier lifestyle which will benefit your life in various ways. Depending on the climate where you live, you can grow veggies, fruits, and herbs—essentially eating farm-to-table. It doesn’t get much fresher than that!

3. Keeps Hands Strong and Nimble

Working in the garden keeps hands strong and nimble. People who garden can build better hand strength and pinch force, and enjoy an overall healthier physical condition.

4. Keeps the Mind Active

Gardening involves both physical and mental work. The activities associated with gardening can involve learning, planning, and problem-solving. This means, as a gardener, you may use a number of the brain’s most critical functions, providing stimulation while allowing you to stay active and alert. 

5. Offers Mood-Supporting Effects

Gardening can even support your mood! Aside from being outdoors in the fresh air, watching plants flourish and grow can offer a sense of satisfaction and higher self-esteem. Once food reaches picking time or flowers bloom, you can enjoy the labors of your hard work and feel good about yourself. Additionally, gardening is a great time to practice mindfulness.

Tips for Gardening

Many people understandably worry they might hurt themselves gardening. The following tips can help provide a safe and healthy gardening experience.

• Do light stretches and warm-up movements before gardening
• Start slowly and build endurance with each visit to your garden
• Don’t lift anything too heavy
• Drink plenty of water
• Take breaks
• Use proper equipment for garden tasks

Many adults find using a kneeling bench is helpful to work in their gardens. If bending is too much, consider installing a raised garden instead.

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Gardening is an excellent way to support your mood and physical health. In addition to incorporating this healthy activity into your lifestyle, you can also consider taking Prevagen as an over-the-counter supplement for healthy brain function and memory  improvement.* Come see what Prevagen is all about and learn what others are saying.