Whether one grows a flower garden for pleasure or an edible garden for food, they can both serve our overall health in many ways. Scientific research shows that there are multiple benefits to being outside in nature and landscapes. Further evidence shows that being in our own gardens can also be extremely beneficial for our health and well-being.
Gardening can help us make better food related health decisions.
It has been shown in studies that people who grow their own food will make better health decisions when it comes to what food goes on their dinner table. When produce in the garden is ripe and plentiful it becomes a hobby to pick and prepare fresh ingredients. Those with edible gardens will likely choose to eat the fruit of their labor; literally.
My own children love growing tomatoes; every summer as the tomatoes turn a bright, gorgeous red, I see them picking and eating fresh tomatoes right off the vine. They have also been growing basil the last few years; it’s like they have their own little tomato and basil salad right in the backyard. They recently discovered they love kale; so this year we will likely incorporate kale and arugula into the garden again. To see my children caring for their own little patch of garden is a much needed relief after a long up all winter.
Gardening can teach coping skills.
Gardening has many other benefits beyond choosing fresh fruits and vegetables. Gardening can teach coping skills, how often do we go out to the garden to find something is not just right? Rabbits and woodchucks can devour an entire garden, pests can cause issues with plant growth, and weeds can choke out our desirable plants; but through this we learn to cope and learn from the experience.
Gardening can teach patience.
Gardening also teaches patience; we learn to slow down and appreciate the natural pace of the garden. With our rush, rush society and need for instant gratification, gardening can help us slow down and focus our mind on the present moment. Gardening can become a form of mindfulness meditation.
Gardening can give us a sense of control.
Gardening can also give us a small sense of control. Even though most things in the garden are not completely controllable, like mentioned above with coping with the unexpected or learning patience. What is in our control is what plants to put in the garden and where they should go. Obviously the environment in which we are growing certain plants, and the micro-climate of the garden will have to be considered, but for the most part, the gardener has a sense of control. With so many other things in the world being out of our immediate control, having some small say in our garden can give a sense of confidence and satisfaction.
Gardening can be a family experience.
Gardening can draw the family together. Make sure you are including your children in on the gardening experience. Children naturally love learning and gardening is no different. Children can benefit from the lessons taught in the garden.
Gardening can boost mood and fight depression and anxiety.
Like mentioned before, being in nature is extremely beneficial to our overall well being. This also applies to being in the garden. Gardening has been shown to boost mood, increase positivity, and help one become more optimistic. Gardening has also been linked to a decreased amount of depression and anxiety as well as decreasing other mental illnesses. Overall gardening can greatly increase our emotional well being.
Being outside boosts vitamin D intake.
Being outside in the sun can boost our vitamin D intake. According to medical professionals vitamin D plays a vital role in promoting healthy bones, vitamin D can also lower blood pressure, reduce one's risk of diabetes, and lower the chances of a heart attack. Be sure to practice safety in the garden to limit overexposure to the sun, especially for those more prone to burning like myself.
Gardening is a fun form of exercise.
Gardening may be relaxing, but it is also hard work. Gardening gets us up and moving around. Health experts suggest that gardening burns calories. When doing heavy yard work (landscaping, moving rocks, hauling dirt) one can burn as much as 600 calories per hour. Likewise raking in the garden can burn about 400 calories per hour. Even performing lighter gardening duties such as pulling weeds and planting flowers can burn anywhere from 200-400 calories per hour.
Go Eat Dirt!!!
Okay, not literally, please don’t go eat dirt.
Has anyone ever told you to go eat dirt? Well, turns out that maybe that’s not such a bad thing after all; at least when referring to healthy soil. Digging in soil actually has many of its own benefits on top of already being in the garden.
When we get down close to nature and lightly dig in the soil, say to plant a new Hosta (yes, I really love Hosta) we come in contact with soil. Some microscopic soil organisms can even become airborne and get breathed in or even swallowed. This is however, actually okay. Soil is very complex and made up of millions of microscopic organisms and microbes like beneficial bacteria and fungi. So when we “accidentally” or naturally swallow or inhale some soil it can have many of its own health benefits. According to research, soil contact can even change our brain chemistry to be like that of taking an antidepressant. It has been shown in recent studies that digging in the soil can decrease depression and reduce anxiety and stress.
So go get your hands dirty and maybe even eat some soil in the process.