I have so many fond childhood memories of my father’s backyard garden.
When I close my eyes, I can still see him happily digging, raking, planting, watering and weeding
his vegetables.
Gardening was his was of relaxing after a long day of work.
And it was also a source of pride.
Of course, the best part for me was picking and eating fresh corn, tomatoes, okra, potatoes,
carrots, zucchini and collard greens from our own backyard.
And our homegrown produce tasted so much better than store bought.
And it was healthier too.
In short, gardening ROCKS!
Gardening is a fantastic activity in so many ways.
It’s a great form of exercise, stress reliever, creative outlet, and just plain old good fun.
Studies have shown that regular exposure to nature and fresh air is good for us.
Not only will you feel energized and refreshed after a gardening session, but you’ll also feel a
great sense of achievement.
Here are a few other reasons why gardening is a great all-around exercise:
#1 – Stress relief
Many of us lead very stressful lives.
Gardening is a good way of relieving that stress.
It’s a quiet, gentle activity that also helps you connect with nature and clear your mind.
There’s something very nurturing about getting close the earth and having a part in helping
something grow.
#2 – Great for joints and flexibility
As we get older, so do our joints and mobility.
Gardening is a great option for keeping your joints supple and flexible without too
much pressure.
Simple exercises like bending, lifting and light digging will help your flexibility and
muscle tone.
All of this will lead to improved health and quality of life.
#3 – Keeps you busy
If you already have a busy schedule then gardening may be something you fit in on
the weekends or in short spurts.
However, if you’re out of work or retired, keeping a garden is a great way of staying
active, fit and healthy.
You’ll also feel a wonderful sense of achievement when you see the fruit of your labor.
#4 – Great social activity
Gardening is becoming increasingly popular.
Many people are joining community garden projects and schemes.
This is a great way to bond with your community.
It’s also a fantastic opportunity for swapping home-grown produce and teaching your
kids and family about healthy eating.
Gardening is a great link for friendships.
It’s a good way to meet like-minded people doing something you enjoy.
#5 – Great for children
Children are naturally geared to love gardening.
They have an inbuilt instinct for connecting with the earth around them.
Give a young child a small shovel and a vegetable patch and they may happily dig for hours.
Exposure to gardening also shows kids the importance of food and healthy eating, as well as
Many schools now have gardening clubs and projects to help children get involved as gardeners too.
On the surface gardening seems like a great health activity, and it is, but there are also many
other wonderful benefits.
Along with getting plenty of fresh air and exercise you can relieve stress, make new friends,
show your kids the importance of our environment and keep your joints and muscles supple.
It’s a fantastic all-around activity to enjoy.
Photos: Freedigitalphoto.net
How has gardening been good for your life and health?
Share your thoughts and comments with us.
You´ve said it all with this post. I enjoyed reading it. Pinned!
I have fond memories of my grandfather’s vegetable garden and my father’s flower beds. I have both! I have a small kitchen garden where i grow my own tomatoes, peppers, garlic, beans and herbs. I agree, there’s nothing better than fresh vegetables from your backyard. I also enjoy fresh flowers in my home from the backyard. Gardening is good for the soul, and a great way to exercise.
We have the tiniest backyard ever now. Yet we still find ways to grow herbs and flowers and yes, a few veggies. It just makes me happy. I can’t operate a shovel very well 🙂 but I still love the digging and planting and watering and most of all, the enjoying. There’s just something about a garden that makes me happy. My Dad always had a big garden when I was growing up and he looked forward to planting it every year even though it was a lot of work. Fond memories.
Loved this post. Thanks for sharing it. Found you from Friendship Friday.
Sarah @ Living Intentionally SImple