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Gardening: A Healthy Hobby

We can all benefit from having hobbies outside of our work and family life.  Hobbies have the potential to keep us mentally active, physically fit or connected to community. Gardening is one hobby that combines many positive elements to make it a benefit to health and well-being.  Horticultural Therapy is actually a practice based on the benefits of interacting with the garden.  It is helpful in treating a wide variety of mental and physical health issues, and aids in recovery from physical illness.

Planning a garden is a creative process that can involve the whole family.  Let everyone choose one or two of their favorite fruits or vegetables to include in the garden.  Plan the size, the location and the layout of the actual planting areas.  You can incorporate interesting structures or scarecrows in the garden for the kids.  Of course, learning about plants and the science of growing is a great activity for all ages.

Once your garden is planned and seeds or plants started, it's time to get outside!  This is one hobby that allows you to reconnect with nature, enjoy the seasons and take time to notice all of life's little miracles. Studies have shown that just being in the garden can decrease depression and increase your mental well-being.

Some enjoy gardening as a solitary pursuit ' a chance to clear their mind and have a private retreat from the pressures of everyday life.  But gardening can also be a social experience if you choose to work with family or even participate in a community garden.

Of course there is the physical benefit of gardening.  You can burn up to 400 calories per hour when gardening, depending on your activity level.  Gardening incorporates different elements of exercise, such as stretching, repetition and even resistance. Exercise like gardening, done at a moderate level of intensity, can lower your risk of heart disease, cancer, high blood pressure and other diseases.  Physical activity also releases endorphins, which are the body's own way of decreasing stress and producing a feeling of general well-being.

Improving your diet by adding more healthy fruits and vegetables is another benefit of having your own home garden.  After working in your garden, you'll be more likely to increase the number of servings of vegetables you eat per day.  The USDA and National Institute of Health guidelines recommend at least five servings of fruits and vegetables per day.

Vegetables are rich in nutrients like vitamin A, vitamin C, folate, iron, and potassium.  They also contain flavonoids, which act as antioxidants that fight disease and help build our immune systems.  By growing even a small variety of vegetables in your garden, you can boost your vitamin and mineral intake significantly.

Vegetables are naturally low in calories.  The fiber and water in vegetables make them filling, so if you substitute vegetables for foods higher in calories and fat, you have the potential to lose weight.

All of these factors add up to make gardening a hobby that can have a significant positive impact on your health.  Start planning your garden today and get ready to feel great!

About the Author:

Gardening can help boost your mood and your health. Gardening is also a great way to lose weight, so get out there and enjoy the outdoors.

Author: Julie

Living Flora TM