GARDENING IS GOOD FOR US IN MANY WAYS
The health benefits of being an active gardener and having plants in our lives are many and can go a long way to improve our physical and mental health.
Now that we are in late November being an active gardener has its challenges with the colder weather and having it get dark early which makes being outside in the gardens challenging after 5:00. We now live in a world where good physical and mental health is emphasized – eating healthier, getting plenty of sleep, and exercise. Getting adequate exercise is where gardening comes into play. As I stated earlier, an active gardener is challenged with the cold weather and the time change. So, what is an active gardener to do now and for the rest of the winter months? Easy question because there is still plenty to do in our outdoor gardens that can keep us physically active and give us good exercise no matter what time of year.
This blog hits home for me. I am now in my early 70’s, still enjoying working with plants, and staying active helping customers find the right plant(s). I do a lot of walking, lifting, and interacting with customers. I love being outside as much as possible. I love my job and what I do for everyone. I attribute my good health to my work and to all of you who come into the garden center. Every year during my annual checkup my doctor always comments “whatever you are doing keep it up!”
Right now leaves are falling fast and furious. Raking leaves is great exercise for the body. Try raking the leaves into the gardens and let them decompose over the winter. These leaves will turn into good organic matter. In other words – DON’T BAG. Leaves in our gardens will provide instant shelter for both birds and our beneficial insects and pollinators. Another good physical activity involving fallen leaves is to get out the lawn mower and mow over the leaves. You don’t want leaves to pile thick on your lawn. Chopping up leaves will provide both organic matter and nutrients to your soil. And with mowing you will get in plenty of steps.
Being outside in the sun gives us natural vitamin D that our bodies need. Take time on good, sunny days to walk around all your gardens. Take note of what you may want to do next spring. Being outside in the fresh air and walking around are healthy benefits to your body and mind.
One of the most obvious health benefits of gardening is having a vegetable garden and growing your own food. Nothing could be more fresh and nutritional. Many of us do not have the opportunity to have an active vegetable garden. That’s okay. I would be amiss if I left vegetable gardening out of this blog on health benefits.
Being around plants and gardening can make us happy and help to ease stress. Being around plants has a calming effect. Very therapeutic. Being around plants can help to improve our senses of touch and smell.
Having plants in our lives – both outdoor and tropical plants indoor – is healthy. Have you heard of the term “clean air machines”? That is exactly what plants are for us. Plants take in bad air and then through photosynthesis releases clean air that we breathe in.
Lastly, gardening can be a family activity. Both my sons are active with plants. And now I have the wonderful opportunity to expose gardening to my grandsons.
LIFE IS GOOD when you reflect back and realize how wonderful your life has been with plants and gardening. As I end many of my blogs …
PLANT A LITTLE HAPPINESS !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!