Gardening has many health and therapeutic benefits and can be very enjoyable. It’s an activity that everyone can enjoy. Whether your garden is a small balcony planter, a backyard vegetable garden or a plot in a community garden, gardening is a very healthy hobby, on so many levels. Studies show that gardening promotes physical health, mental health through relaxation and satisfaction, and better nutrition.
The activity of gardening is a form of regular physical exercise. Research shows that gardening can offer enough moderate physical activity to keep you in shape and is a great way to meet the physical activity guidelines. Gardening also provides a rewarding motivation in the form of delicious fresh produce. Studies have shown that gardeners eat more fruits and vegetables than other people. The freshest food you can eat is the food you grow, and when you have access to a garden filled with fruits and vegetables, you’re able to eat some of the healthiest food you can get.
Gardening is also great for improving mental wellbeing. Studies have shown that those who participate in gardening have a more positive mental outlook than those who don’t garden. The benefits appear to spring from a combination of physical activity, awareness of natural surroundings, cognitive stimulation and the satisfaction of the work. We must also remember that we humans are social creatures, and we maintain psychological and emotional health by interacting with one another in some form of community. Gardening can connect you with people and community gardens provide an ideal opportunity for people to interact with each other.
“All the world’s problems can be solved in a garden” - Geoff Lawton (Permaculturist) Gardening can indeed feed the body, mind and spirit.
Tips for your health whilst gardening
Be sun smart – wear a hat, long sleeves and use sunscreen
Stay hydrated - take a bottle of water with you
Be careful not to strain your back. Bend at the knees and don’t lift anything too heavy.
Use gardening gloves and a kneeling pad.
To find your nearest community garden, or to start a garden in your community visit http://communitygarden.org.au/.
For more gardening tips and information watch this video. http://www.abc.net.au/local/videos/2013/04/09/3733264.htm.
May you be Mindful message.
Mental Photography
Try taking mental photos of interesting things you find as you are out and about. To take a mindful photo, think about what details you’d like to capture in a shot.
Don’t forget to post about mindfulness to be in with a chance to win the May you be Mindful prize pack. Post a quote, a picture, a story… you have to be in it to win it.