If you love spending time outdoors, are a lover of nature and enjoy making your living space beautiful and welcoming, then you meet all the criteria for why gardening should be the next hobby you take up. It’s not difficult to see why you’d be skeptical about this. After all, gardening gets a stereotypical reputation as a pastime appropriate for older adults who have plenty of free time at their disposal and can therefore take their time looking after a large number of flowers and vegetables every day. Well, as is the case in general, stereotypes are a far cry from the truth. The fact is you can enjoy gardening at any age.
The moment you start it, you’ll notice that it fills you with so much tranquillity and peace of mind your family will probably have to drag you inside when the sun has set. There’s a quality of simplicity, clarity and freshness that comes with gardening which is what makes it completely irresistible after you’ve taken the first few steps and settled into it as your hobby. If you’re still not convinced, here are some of the main reasons you should consider picking up the gardening tools and head outside for a soul-cleansing planting session.
Elevated mood
When you do something as a hobby you expect it to lift your spirits. You’ll be glad to hear there’s nothing quite like gardening to achieve that. According to research, getting dirty may boost your mood and protect you against anxiety, depression and even PTSD. It has been postulated that the urbanised environments in which we live are likely to exacerbate stress levels and lead to some of the disorders that have come to be associated with chronically heightened levels of cortisol.
According to research, the individuals living in rural areas are more resilient to the impacts of stress. Some vaccines derived from the microorganisms inhabiting earth and which are believed to be the cause of this hardier, tougher constitution, have been administered to animals, and the scientists observed that the effects were overwhelmingly positive, helping quell stress-related brain inflammation and digestive disorders.
However, there’s still going to be some time until the stress vaccine is available for human use. And just because the people in the city get the shorter end of the stick compared to those in the countryside it doesn’t mean you should consider relocating. The simplest solution is to start a garden that can provide you with the time you need to spend in nature so that both your body and soul feel refreshed and content.
Better diet
You are what you eat may sound like nothing more than a slogan, but it’s a genuine fact. When you choose nourishing foods for your meals you also look after your health. You’ll feel better, more energised and ready to tackle the challenges of the day. However, it can be difficult to figure one what food to buy at the grocery store. After all, you have no idea about the conditions in which they were grown, and if any pesticides or harmful substances were used during the cultivation process.
All these worries are a thing of the past when you grow your own fruits and veggies. Not only will you be able to cook with foodstuffs whose growth you were in full control of, you will also empower yourself and your family to make healthier food choices. If you’ve ever struggled with your family shunning away their greens, this is the perfect way to get the fussiest, pickiest eaters to give vegetables a try.
You can also challenge yourself and try your hand at looking after some plants that are a little different from the rest. Seedsman offers a wide selection of cannabis seeds you can buy, keep or collect. You can have your pick and choose between several varieties. When you choose their cannabis seeds, you are certain to get a top-quality product, no matter the strains you choose. If you’re a beginner, you may want to gravitate towards feminized seeds, as you won’t have to worry about guessing which male plants you have to remove before pollination begins, therefore saving space and time. However, since the seeds are so nutritional on their own, you can also use them in dishes on their own. Add a few to your morning smoothie or cereal bowl, or turn them into delicious hemp milk.
Burning calories
You already know that physical activity is important for your overall health and well-being. However, you may struggle sometimes with keeping up a consistent workout schedule. You may let laziness get the better of you or may just not feel like going to the gym. This is where gardening comes into play, and you best believe its benefits are genuine.
Compared to the traditional workout, gardening is lower intensity, meaning you’ll be able to sustain activity longer. Since you get tired slower, you’ll be able to keep working longer, getting more benefits out of being in the garden. A single hour of gardening can help you burn between 300 and 400 calories, which is bound to help you shed a few pounds faster and lose a few inches around your waist. Since not all gardening tasks are created equal, you can alternate the moderate ones (such as weeding or planting), with more effort-intensive ones (raking, digging or installing garden features) to make it more like a veritable workout routine.
Exercise is also good for your blood pressure, particularly if you’re dealing with hypertension. When you get in plenty of movement you lower your risk of heart attack or stroke. The right amount of sunlight is also important so you get enough Vitamin D, one of the most important nutrients for bones, joints and the nervous system. However, prolonged exposure is bad for the skin and can predispose you to chronic conditions. Always make sure to protect yourself with sunscreen, wide-brimmed hats and clothing that covers as much of your body as possible.
The advantages gardening brings into your life are second to none. Taking up this hobby is one of the most rewarding things you can do for yourself.
Barry Lachey is a Professional Editor at Zobuz. Previously He has also worked for Moxly Sports and Network Resources “Joe Joe.” He is a graduate of the Kings College at the University of Thames Valley London. You can reach Barry via email or by phone.
