Starting a garden this summer can bring numerous benefits, ranging from physical exercise to improved diet and mental well-being. Gardening has a rich history and has experienced a recent surge in popularity, bringing people solace and the chance to connect with nature. As a gardener, you can experience firsthand the many advantages of digging in the dirt. Let’s explore the unique benefits of starting a garden and why it might be the perfect summer activity for you.
Increased Exercise
Engaging in gardening activities provides an excellent opportunity for increased exercise. Whether weeding, carrying bags of mulch, or digging and raking, these functional movements mimic whole-body exercises. Squats and lunges while tending to your garden can work for various muscle groups, providing a physical workout similar to what you might experience in a gym. The work can help your joints, too, since movement generally will keep them loose, lubricated and reduce pain.
The calorie-burning potential is significant, and although you may feel a bit sore at first, you’ll gradually improve your balance, strength, and flexibility through consistent gardening. Even if movement is challenging, there are ways to modify gardening activities to suit your needs, such as using raised garden beds, stools, or lighter pots.
Improved Diet
Growing fruits and vegetables can profoundly impact your diet and inspire you to try new recipes. Gardeners incorporate more vegetables into their meals, leading to healthier and well-balanced diets. A variety of vegetables can offer unique health benefits. For example, peppers with capsaicin content have anti-inflammatory properties, tomatoes are rich in vitamin C and potassium, and sweet potatoes are high in beta-carotene. This antioxidant helps slow the aging process.
The fruits of your garden can even be recycled to add extra nutrients to the plants you grow and increase their health profile. You can use compost bins to dispose of over-ripe fruits and vegetables, peels, and other organic refuse from your kitchen or garden. Mixing the resulting compost into the soil produces healthier plants with higher-quality fruits and vegetables.
Time in Nature
Spending time outdoors in your garden offers numerous benefits for your physical and mental health. Breathing in fresh air allows for deeper breaths, aiding in lung clearance, digestion, immune response, and increased oxygen levels in the blood.
Being in nature reduces your heart rate and muscle tension, while sunlight lowers blood pressure and boosts vitamin D levels. A garden provides a tranquil setting to help you reconnect with the natural world, fostering a sense of peace and well-being.
Reduced Stress Levels
Aside from all the physical benefits, gardening provides effective emotional relief, contributing to lighter moods and decreased stress and anxiety levels. The rhythmic routines of planting, tending, harvesting, and sharing your food create a soothing rhythm that keeps your mind present and eases tension.
When you’ve had a long day, spending time in the garden, whether pulling weeds or simply enjoying the surroundings, allows you to slow down and find solace. Gardening provides a therapeutic outlet and a space for reflection and problem-solving.
Social Connection
One of the most rewarding aspects of gardening is the opportunity for social connection. The gardening community is filled with passionate individuals eager to share their knowledge, time, and plants with fellow gardeners. From master gardeners offering guidance to community garden plots fostering collaboration among diverse backgrounds, gardening brings people together around a common goal.
Building social connections lowers stress levels, improves resilience, and provides support during challenging times. The friendships you form through gardening can add joy and strengthen your overall experience.
Enhance Your Environment
Starting a garden allows you to create a beautiful and vibrant environment around your home. Your plants and flowers add aesthetic appeal and contribute to a healthier ecosystem, and introducing various plants can attract beneficial insects like butterflies and bees, which are crucial in pollination.
Additionally, plants help improve air quality by absorbing carbon dioxide and releasing oxygen. Transform your outdoor space into a lush and inviting sanctuary by incorporating different colors, textures, and scents throughout your garden.
Teach and Inspire Others
One of the remarkable aspects of gardening is the opportunity to educate and inspire others. Share your knowledge and passion with friends, family, and community. Teach your children or grandchildren about the wonders of nature, the joy of growing their food, and the importance of sustainable practices.
Consider organizing gardening workshops or volunteering at local schools or community centers to help others learn the art of gardening. Becoming a mentor and passing on your gardening expertise can positively impact others’ lives and encourage a deeper connection with the natural world.
Also Read: 10 Ideal Plants to Give As a Gift for Garden Lovers
Final Thoughts
Embarking on the journey of starting a garden can bring you many unique benefits. From physical exercise and an improved diet to the therapeutic qualities of spending time in nature and the opportunity for social connection, gardening offers a holistic and fulfilling experience. So, this summer, seize the chance to dig in the dirt, cultivate your oasis, and reap the rewards of starting your garden.
