If you’re seeking a positive approach to enhance your physical and mental well-being, consider engaging in gardening. According to Loren Lasater, MD, a family medicine physician with Banner Beyond in Arizona, gardening encompasses various factors that contribute to its positive health benefits, such as bolstering social connections and enhancing cognitive abilities.
6 Ways Growing Your Own Fruits and Veggies Boosts Your Health
1. Gardening enhances mental well-being
Dubbed as horticulture therapy, gardening has the potential to alleviate symptoms of depression, anxiety, stress, and low mood. Dr. Lasater explains that immersing oneself in nature is strongly linked to overall health improvement. Simply marveling at the marvel of a small seedling transforming into bountiful zucchinis can inspire awe and reduce anxiety.
2. Gardening aids in weight management
Through gardening, you cultivate an array of wholesome fruits and vegetables, which can contribute to weight loss or help maintain a healthy weight. Additionally, individuals who grow their own food are more inclined to consume fresh produce, a fundamental aspect of the Mediterranean diet. Research supports that gardeners are less likely to be overweight compared to non-gardeners.
Gardening can help you stave off diseases and health conditions that can make it tough to do the things you want to do in life. You get some benefits from the sunlight you’re exposed to when you’re gardening. It can help lower high blood pressure and increase vitamin D levels (just don’t overdo it). Microbes in the soil can help strengthen your immune system. And eating the healthy foods you’ve grown can help decrease your risk for heart disease and cancer.
4. Gardening can connect you with your family and your community
Gardening might be a family affair. It’s something you, your partner and your children can do together. Or you might grow your fruits and vegetables in a community gardening plot. There, you’ll benefit from social ties with other gardeners. And even if you garden by yourself in your backyard, you’ll likely exchange seeds and seedlings with other gardeners. Plus, you’ll connect with friends and neighbors when you share the inevitable bounty from your vegetable garden.
5. Gardening can help you get more physical activity
You might be watering your tomatoes, harvesting your melons or pulling the weeds from around your lettuce. When you’re gardening, you’re almost always moving. So, when you spend time in your garden, you’ll likely naturally be more active. Most general gardening tasks count toward the moderate activity you need. More intensive tasks like digging or hoeing can boost you up to the vigorous activity level. And when you garden, you use almost all your muscles. It’s nature’s full-body workout.
6. Enhancing Cognitive Function through Gardening
Numerous studies have indicated that engaging in gardening can have a positive impact on brain health. The presence of plants in your surroundings can contribute to increased productivity and enhanced creativity. Moreover, gardening has the potential to improve cognitive performance and memory. Remarkably, research suggests that gardening may even offer preventive and therapeutic benefits against dementia.
According to Dr. Lasater, few activities can rival gardening in terms of its cost-effective contribution to overall well-being. Gardening not only provides an enjoyable experience but also promotes physical activity, fosters social connections, and encourages a wholesome diet. Consequently, it can be considered a highly therapeutic and beneficial practice for leading a healthier life.
In summary, while gardening may appear as a leisurely outdoor pursuit, cultivating your own fruits and vegetables can significantly enrich both your physical and mental health.
