The Health Benefits Of Gardening
Talking to your plants to improve their growth is a well-known old gardener’s tale, but believe it or not, numerous studies have indicated that playing music for plants does in fact promote faster, healthier growth.
However, it isn’t so much about the “sounds” of music, but more to do with the vibrations created by the sound waves. The vibrations produce movement in the plant cells, which ultimately stimulates the plant to produce more nutrients.
Not to mention the benefits that music has on us as humans … music provides a total brain workout. Research has shown that listening to music can reduce anxiety, blood pressure, and pain as well as improve sleep quality, mood, mental alertness, and memory.
Giving us two good reasons to pump the volume this Garden Day, taking place on Sunday 15 October.
Don’t let gardening slip your mind
Research shows that daily gardening may lower the risk of dementia by 36%. According to a Swedish study, engaging brain-stimulating activities reduces the risk of Alzheimer’s disease as much as physical activity would.
For those suffering from dementia or other memory loss conditions, gardening may be the answer. Taking part in gardening activities has the power to help regain gradual memory loss. The reason for this being, the amygdala, which is the centre of the brain, allows us to recall memories that appeal to our emotions. Gardening can be used as a form of rehabilitation in improving brain activity – helping individuals revisit those long-term memories.
Who knew remembering where you put your garden fork would promote brain health?
Move into gardening gear
The fact of the matter is, we are all aging, that is inevitable! We can no longer perform things with such vigour the way we used to. As we become older, we begin to do things a little slower, and with slightly more difficulty. And there is no shame in that! This is because our motor skills eventually begin to decline. Motor skills refer to the way in which our muscles coordinate in order to do different things. In simple terms, it is how we move. And it is entirely common to lose strength and dexterity in our hands as the days pass – limiting the daily activities we can perform.
On a positive note, do you know what keeps your handles strong and nimble? You guessed it…Gardening! Actively gardening can play a big role in enhancing your motor skills. No matter what age you are, gardening is a guaranteed healthy addition to your lifestyle – so roll up your sleeves and dig in!
Get your garden glow on
Some of the best and most healthy solutions to hair loss can be found in … your garden! For years, plants and herbs have been used to facilitate hair growth.
Rosemary, chia seeds, green tea, avocado, kale, basil, beets, and microgreens are all said to do wonders in terms of boosting hair growth and ensuring a smooth, silky texture. Many of which can be easily and inexpensively grown in your own garden. So as your backyard comes to life, so will your hair!
But this is not where the nourishing benefits of gardening come to an end… Did you know that gardens can also contribute to better-looking skin? This is due to a variety of factors:
Enhanced nutrition – if you’re manning a garden, it is likely that you’re consuming the wonderful fresh produce (we hope). Consuming a diet rich in B-carotene and lycopene (found in fruits and vegetables such as tomatoes, carrots, broccoli, and pumpkin) increases the skin’s defense against UV irradiation, contributing to the skin’s overall appearance and health.
There are also a bunch of other skin saviours that may be growing in your garden, helping to balance and nourish your skin.
Physical activity – Exercise increases blood flow throughout the body, including to the body’s largest organ, the skin. A study conducted by scientists at Harvard Medical School and Brigham and Women’s Hospital, found that exercise in fact reduces the risk of psoriasis in women.
Breaking a sweat in the garden is healthy! With the act of gardening being quite labour-intensive, it is sure to get the heart pumping, giving your skin a natural glow.
Reduced stress – Simple exposure to green spaces has been proven to help reduce stress and increase one’s sense of wellness and belonging. In turn, this results in clearer skin. Science aside, less stress also means less worry/frown lines.
However, when pottering around in the garden, don’t forget to slather on some sunscreen or wear a hat in order to further protect your precious skin.
Planting a sense of responsibility
Being responsible (for anything) pays big dividends in our lives. If we take care of our commitments, even if it is something we may like to ignore, we are bound to feel better about ourselves. Every step we take towards responsibility helps in raising our self-esteem and improving our relationships with others.
It has been proven that having a sense of responsibility for something only makes us more invested. And gardening is the perfect example of this, enforcing a sense of purpose and responsibility into our lives whilst teaching us to have respect for things other than ourselves.
Taking time out of your day to do the small things like nourish and water plants – whether it’s the little cacti on your windowsill or the family of peppers growing in your back garden, these acts will provide you with a sense of purpose and worth. Talk about a rewarding experience!
Wherever you go, garden
Ever wondered why your first glance at the abundance of flowers and plants blooming in spring elicits such happiness?
Gardening, in all its green glory, is a practice of mindfulness. The physical benefits of gardening are well established. What is less known, is that gardening also reaps intangible, mental benefits. The very act of connecting with flowers and other plants instills a sense of inner peace and calm amongst us that ultimately boosts overall happiness.
If you’ve ever heard the Chinese proverb that tells us If you want to be happy for a lifetime, be a gardener, well science backs that up. Research indicates that those who spend more time cultivating plants have a generally more positive outlook on life, experience less stress, and are happier both mentally and physically.
With phones being an obvious gateway drug for a lack of mindfulness, ditch the devices when spending time in the garden, engage in your thoughts, and let the garden be your mindfulness mentor.
For more information about the health benefits of gardening visit gardenday.co.za.
Image by lookstudio on Freepik