Photo courtesy of Healthline.com
Being stuck in our homes and having extra time to do other things because we don’t have to deal with crazy traffic going to and from our offices has transformed most of us into plantitos or plantitas, K-drama enthusiasts, businessmen, and many more.
If you’re still on the fence about getting your own plants, you might get convinced upon knowing the proven health benefits of taking care of plants and gardening at home. Here are some of them!
Gardening improves brain health
Research shows that gardening activities spur growth in your brain’s memory-related nerves. It is seen as effective to keep your mind sharp and serves as a way to lower your risk of dementia and Alzheimer’s (Inquirer.net BrandRoom, 2020).
It promotes healthy physical well-being
“The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says gardening is exercise” (Stanborough, 2020). This can be your morning routine and doing so helps you utilize the major muscle groups in your body when watering, trimming, or digging in your garden. Additionally, studies show that the physical exertions you do while tending to your plants may help “offset both age-related weight gain and childhood obesity” (Stanborough, 2020).
Gardening relieves stress
During these trying times, our stress levels are undeniably higher than usual. One great benefit of gardening is helping reduce the stress that we have because we get the chance to focus on something and work with a goal in mind, such as growing our plants healthily and beautifully. “Not only that, exposure to sunlight makes your body produce Vitamin D, and in turn, Vitamin D produces serotonin, which is a brain chemical that makes you happy!” (Inquirer.net BrandRoom, 2020).
It can help you eat healthier
If you’re into growing fruits and vegetables, you’re getting an assurance of having fresh produce without pesticides. “It’s essentially as farm-to-table as it gets,” Dr. Hutchins says, “if you’re eating what you’re growing” (as cited in Hutchins, 2020).
Gardening helps you get better sleep
After a tiresome day of doing some gardening and other physical and mental activities, you can give yourself a better sleep. “Owing to the light therapy given off by the sun, you will also have adequate melatonin to help you sleep well at night, and realign your sleep patterns for an energy-filled morning the next day” (Inquirer.net BrandRoom, 2020).
Your life shouldn’t be confined to the four corners of your room. Activities like gardening invite you to make good use of your extra time. Aside from this, you also get a number of health benefits, so it’s a win-win!
References
Hutchins, R. (2020). 8 Surprising Health Benefits of Gardening. Retrieved from https://healthtalk.unchealthcare.org/health-benefits-of-gardening/
Inquirer.net BrandRoom. (2020). Here’s How Gardening Benefits Your Health. Retrieved from https://lifestyle.inquirer.net/373547/heres-how-gardening-benefits-your-health/ Stanborough, R. J. (2020). Seed, Soil, and Sun: Discovering the Many Healthful Benefits of Gardening. Retrieved from https://www.healthline.com/health/healthful-benefits-of-gardening