I am a firm believer in the power of gardening. The therapeutic benefits of gardening have been recognized since humans first cultivated plants. Some people think of gardening as a chore, whereas others take up gardening as a hobby. Whether you love gardens and gardening or you hate the idea of even getting your hands dirty, you should know that gardening offers many physical and mental benefits to those who are willing to try it. Numerous studies have been undertaken which show that gardening offers many health related benefits for people of all ages, but we already know this!
The act of gardening goes back at least 4000 years. Egyptian paintings of the 1500s BC are some of the earliest physical evidence of horticulture and landscape design, depicting lotus ponds surrounded by rows of acacias and palms. Persia also has an ancient gardening tradition, Darius the Great was said to have had a “paradise garden” and the Hanging Gardens of Babylon were renowned as a Wonder of the World.
Aside from its glorious history, gardening is a great way to get some fresh air, exercise, reduce stress, be creative, and develop patience. Strength, endurance and flexibility are all improved by gardening, making it one of the best all round exercises. Gardening can be as much exercise as you can make of it. Weeding or cultivating can burn around 200 calories an hour. Doing more strenuous work such as moving rocks can burn as much as 600 calories per hour. Physical activity also releases endorphins into the body, which help to alleviate stress and its negative results. Studies have shown that just being in a garden lowers blood pressure and that people who are exposed to gardens and gardening recover more quickly from illness. I guess that you could say that gardening is just what the doctor ordered!
Gardening can also be a form of meditation. The hustle and bustle of everyday life is difficult to avoid. A garden provides a place of calm. It can be a personal private and peaceful place to escape to, a place to go to when we need to restore our sense of wellbeing. It’s obvious, for example meditation retreats are usually based around gardens because of their natural calming effect. Meditation and gardens go hand in hand. Gardening reconnects us with nature and our self. Simply spending time in a garden, enjoying the sights, sounds and smells around us, can invoke a powerful sense of belonging and spiritual peace. The most important aspect to a garden is that the space feels comfortable and nurturing to you. Something simple like watching a butterfly flutter around the garden at close range or the scent of a flower can clear the mind. This is the point, nature will calm you!
At the same time gardening is an art and can be a form of self-expression. It gives us a chance to be creative. The time spent researching different plants, and planning where to put them is a great brain workout. Planning the garden and then caring for the garden can help a person clear the mind. It allows us to refocus our attention on creation. A garden is a living artwork that will change over time. As a garden evolves, so to do the countless ways in which a living area can be filled with plants, ponds, and other forms of nature. There are infinite styles of landscaping tailored to each individual, and it can be extremely exciting to find and adapt yours.
Gardening teaches us patience and responsibility and helps us to slow down. Things happen slow and steady in the garden. Unlike other activities, gardening does not produce instant results. A gardener must work and wait for their rewards. Once a basic plan has been developed, you till the soil and sow the seeds and wait for your garden to grow. In order to achieve healthy plants, the garden needs care and attention. Weeds and pests must be constantly controlled. The fruits of your labor will be a beautiful garden space, flowers or vegetables. The act of gardening improves our problem solving ability and teaches us patience and responsibility. For example a common problem such as, ‘why is that plant sick, and how can I fix it?’ or ‘how can I fix that problem without chemicals?’ stimulates and encourages the mind to look for the best solutions. This process gives you confidence and will enhance your problem solving and decision making skills in other areas of your life.
Gardening offers nutritional benefits to those who plant a vegetable garden. Vegetable gardeners know exactly where their produce is coming from and they also know exactly what chemicals were used to grow the produce. There’s no substitute for freshly picked foods straight from your garden to your dinner table, they taste better and are much healthier.
If you are in the garden keep these tips in mind. Warm up before starting by stretching to prevent muscle soreness, back pain, and repetitive strain injuries. Change activity every 15 minutes, and don’t let your body stay in the same position for extended time periods of time. Protect yourself from the sun by wearing long sleeved shirts and a hat. When picking up tools or heavy lifting, bend your knees and keep your back straight.
