Gardening for Health
Gardening offers numerous health benefits that can add quality years to your life. It's both a physical and mental activity that positively impacts different aspects of your well-being.
Physical Activity
According to the National Library of Medicine; ‘Gardening was the second most commonly reported physical activity. Gardeners had a better CVD health status than non-exercisers, they were more likely to consume fruits and vegetables ≥5 times/day, and they had lower 10-year mortality risk.’ Reference
Gardening provides light physical activity which gets the body moving and burns calories. It also strengthens the body. Activities like digging, planting and pulling weeds will increase your hand strength, improve joint mobility, ROM, great for those suffering with arthritis.
Former president of the Royal College of Physicians, Sir Richard Thompson, wrote about gardening in Clinical Medicine journal. 'Digging, raking and mowing are particularly calorie intense. There is a gym outside many a window.’ Reference
Balance
Engaging in gardening is surprisingly effective for enhancing balance. The diverse movements involved, such as bending, reaching, and squatting, strengthen muscles in the legs, core, and back—essential for stability. Navigating uneven terrain, adjusting weight distribution while carrying tools or pots, and maintaining posture during planting or weeding all contribute to improving proprioception, which is your body's sense of movement and position.
Over time, these activities enhance coordination and proprioception, reducing the risk of falls, especially among older adults. Gardening not only cultivates plants but also cultivates better balance and body awareness, promoting overall health and well-being.
Vitamin D & Stress Relief
Spending time outdoors in the sun while gardening allows your skin to absorb ultraviolet rays, stimulating the production of vitamin D in the body. Vitamin D is crucial for bone health, immune function, and mood regulation. Even just a few minutes of sun exposure during gardening sessions can fulfill a significant portion of your daily vitamin D needs. However, it's essential to practice sun safety by wearing sunscreen, sunglasses, and protective clothing.
Nurturing your garden under the sunshine not only promotes plant growth but also enhances your own well-being. Gardening serves as an effective stress-reduction activity. While all forms of exercise are beneficial for stress relief, there's something uniquely therapeutic about planting, tending, and perhaps harvesting plants for food or decoration, which has a profound positive impact on mental health.
In essence, gardening not only nurtures plants but also nurtures a healthier and more balanced body, promoting physical fitness and mental well-being.
Physiotherapy
We specialise in the treatment and prevention of injuries and conditions. If you are suffering with any health aliments that you feel we could help you with, get in touch today. We provide treatment for a wide age range from 9 years to 90 years old.