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Just As Many Benefits As Traditional Exercise
Staying active with age is essential. But older adults don’t have to spend endless hours on the treadmill. Gardening can offer just as many health benefits as a traditional exercise routine.
Why gardening is beneficial
Gardening is not only physical exercise. The activity also involves cognitive skills and problem-solving. Additionally, the purposeful nature of gardening, not to mention being in nature, can help to improve a person’s mood.
Lose weight
Many people don’t realize that gardening can help people lose weight. In fact, one study found that people who garden have significantly lower BMIs and lower odds of being overweight or obese than non-gardeners. What was the exact difference? On average, women gardeners weighed 11 pounds less than non-gardeners and men weighed 16 pounds less.
Avoid the treadmill boredom
Tired of spending hours on end staring at nothing while treadmill walking? Gardening is a workout with a purpose that boasts just as many benefits as traditional gym workouts. Pushing a wheelbarrow, carrying mulch, pulling weeds, moving pots, and pushing a mower are all strengthening exercises. Research of adults aged 63-86 found that regular gardening is a great way to fulfill the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s weekly exercise recommendations.
Decrease risk of heart disease
Heart disease prevention is increasingly important as people age. People don’t typically think of gardening as high-intensity cardiovascular exercise. But studies have found that gardening can cut a person’s risk of heart attack or stroke by as much as 30%.
Boost your mood
Fresh-cut flowers can undoubtedly brighten a room and boost people’s spirits. And growing those flowers can offer the same mood improvements. Researchers studied how growing flowers and vegetables in space can help astronauts feel less depressed, anxious, lonely, and isolated. Researchers concluded that being involved in meaningful work, like growing a garden, can help people feel more positive and productive.
Fight infections faster
As people age, the immune system ages as well. This can make it harder to fight infection and stay well. Certain bacteria in dirt can help boost the immune system. The soil bacteria Mycobacterium vaccae, which is common in gardening dirt, has been found to alleviate the symptoms of allergies, asthma, and psoriasis, all of which are linked to a compromised immune system.
Keep your brain sharp
One long-term study found that gardening was a significant factor in reducing people’s risk of Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. Researchers discovered that daily gardening could reduce the risk of dementia by as much as 36%. The reasons for this link aren’t clear. However, gardening does require an intricate use of critical functions, including strength, endurance, skill, problem-solving, critical thinking, and sensory awareness.
Pick up your gardening tools
As people age, staying active is key to good health. Gardening is just one way to keep the mind and body young. Not only does gazing at a garden boost a person’s mood but tending to that garden can keep spirits high as well.
