By SunnySkyz - Based on Survey!
A new study suggests that frequent gardening may be linked to increased health benefits.
According to the study posted on ScienceDirect, gardening just two or three times a week maximized the benefits of better wellbeing and lower stress levels. Gardening Encourages Family Togetherness, and it Keeps You Company if you live on your own too - I love to do this, my plants are great company. Folks, you don't have to have a lot of Plants to do this!
The research explored why residents engaged with gardening and the extent to which they recognized any health benefits from the activity.
A questionnaire was distributed electronically within the UK, with 5,766 gardeners and 249 non-gardeners responding. Data was collated on factors including garden typology, frequency of gardening and individual perceptions of health and well-being.
"This is the first time the 'dose response' to gardening has been tested and the evidence overwhelmingly suggests that the more frequently you garden – the greater the health benefits," said Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) wellbeing fellow and lead author Dr Lauriane Chalmin-Pui. "In fact gardening every day has the same positive impact on wellbeing than undertaking regular, vigorous exercise like cycling or running.
"When gardening, our brain is pleasantly distracted by nature around us. This shifts our focus away from ourselves and our stresses, thereby restoring our mind and reducing negative feelings."
Improving health, however, was not the prime motivator to garden, but rather the direct pleasure gardening brought to the participants.
"Gardening is like effortless exercise because it doesn't feel as strenuous as going to the gym, for example, but we can expend similar amounts of energy," Chalmin-Pui added.
"Most people say they garden for pleasure and enjoyment so the likelihood of getting hooked to gardening is also high and the good news is that from a mental health perspective – you can't 'over-dose' on gardening.
"We hope all the millions of new gardeners will be getting their daily doses of gardening this week and feeling all the better for it."
Article Source HERE
Janets Comments
So gardening is a great asset to Health and Happiness hey? I'm sure those of you who do can relate with the benefits mentioned in this article.
It has been an observation of mine through the years that people who engage in Gardening, Walking, Exercise or who spend time in the Parks are calmer in temperament, and people who live in the Beach, Hills or Country areas are noticeably emotionally balanced. Most of us live in the city or suburbs and could do with one or more of the practices mentioned here.
In recent times, different articles and INFO keep surfacing on these topics in my Natural Health Research and also when looking for Interesting Articles to place in my Blog on Ours Australia. Things like even those who sit outside in their garden, a park or nature setting a few times each week benefit. And a total of 120 minutes a week of such ourdoor exposure is ideal (has the most benefit). All this is well documented.
We spend far too much time indoors and far too much time on TV and Tech. Our brain and our mind is saying "let me breathe, give me some space" we crowd so much in. And so are our emotions - we are not made to handle all that. Is it any wonder our faculties aren't what they should be and our health is affected mentally, physically or emotionally? Maybe all three.
Gardening is a good way to make a break away from the Modern Lifestyle that affects most of us. And 2 or 3 times a week at-least, gives us pleasant intervals hey? Try it and See!