Gardening may seem like just another hobby – something to pass the time between tasks at work – but what many don’t realize is that gardening has unexpected health benefits for both physical and mental wellbeing. From improving concentration to relieving stress to helping build strong bones and reduce cardiovascular risks, gardening is an incredible way to stay healthy and improve wellbeing overall. Here, we explore five of gardening’s unexpected benefits, so that you can better appreciate why such an enjoyable pastime can make such an enormous impact in our lives.
1) Improves Concentration And Reduces Stress
Gardening requires time in nature, where fresh air, sunshine and plants provide a relaxing setting. Studies have proven this can have a beneficial impact on how you think and help reduce levels of anxiety and stress. Gardening also serves as a meditative activity that allows one to focus on one thing at a time while blocking out distractions; gardening helps build social connections as well as mental wellbeing!
2) Builds Strong Bones
Gardening is an effective way to get plenty of Vitamin D – essential for strong bones and overall good health. One of the easiest and fastest ways to obtain Vitamin D, gardening allows you to do it without spending hours out in the sun; just a few minutes spent gardening each day will provide all of the Vitamin D your body requires as well as A, C and K vitamins! Plus it provides low impact exercise without stressing joints while helping strengthen bones while burning extra calories to achieve weight loss!
3) Reduces Risk Of Heart Disease
Gardening offers many surprising benefits, and one of these is helping lower your risk of heart disease. Studies have demonstrated that gardening can reduce blood pressure – something which is great for heart health – as well as help you lose weight, lower cholesterol levels and decrease diabetes risks, all which contribute towards having a healthier heart. Of course, existing conditions should always be discussed with your physician first before beginning gardening for yourself but it shouldn’t prevent its reduction as part of overall heart health strategy.
4) Boosts Immune System
Gardening is great way to strengthen your immunity, helping strengthen natural defenses against bacteria and viruses. Although gardening gloves may harbor millions of bacteria, research shows this actually strengthens immunity rather than weaken it. Furthermore, gardening provides fresh air as a break from indoor allergens that might be bothersome; fresh air helps both boost your immunity as well as reduce air pollution – making gardening an excellent way to manage allergies.
5) Improves Mental Health And Lowers Depression
Gardening can also have a positive effect on mental health. Gardening has been shown to reduce feelings of sadness and depression by helping you focus on something positive and constructive. Many people use gardening as a form of relaxation after long days at work; studies into its therapeutic benefits show it particularly helps older individuals suffering from depression as well as those in group settings; some studies even showed gardening could reduce depression more effectively than prescription medication!
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Conclusion
With all these surprising benefits of gardening in mind, it’s easy to see why gardening has become such an appealing pastime among people of all ages and walks of life. Not only does gardening offer great opportunities to get outdoors and take in some fresh air; but it can also provide relaxation benefits, reduce stress levels and enhance both mental and physical health benefits. If gardening has never been tried before now is the perfect time to give it a try; no garden space required: just start small by cultivating herbs on your kitchen windowsill!