5 surprising benefits gardening offers your mind and body
While growing and nurturing plants is a satisfying pursuit, gardening offers several surprising benefits that can boost your own physical and mental well-being, says Mike Ritchie of Ritchie Feed & Seed. Here are five of them:
IT’S GOOD FOR YOUR PHYSICAL AND MENTAL HEALTH
Getting outside and away from your electronic devices feels good, and gardening is a great reason to get outdoors. It’s a calming and meditative experience that reduces stress. For many people it can provide a sense of purpose and accomplishment that can help reduce symptoms of depression. Gardening can also be a surprisingly physical activity that provides a low-impact workout that not only burns calories but can improve your flexibility, strength and endurance. As an added bonus, being out in the sunshine increases your exposure to vitamin D, which can boost your immune system.
GARDENING HAS SOCIAL BENEFITS
You might think that gardening is a solitary pursuit, but it’s a great way to bring people together. It’s a fun and educational activity that the entire family can do together, where even the youngest member can pitch in. It can also bring you closer to your neighbours. Community gardens are one way to develop relationships with them, but even having a front yard filled with magnificent plants and flowers inspires passersby to stop to talk with you and compliment you for your green thumb.
LEARN ABOUT THE PLANTS AROUND YOU
The American poet Ralph Waldo Emerson once described a weed as a plant whose virtues have not yet been discovered. Discover the virtues of the many native plants available at Ritchie Feed & Seed garden centres and be part of the growing movement of gardeners who work to incorporate more native species into their gardening plans.
IT IMPROVES YOUR NUTRITION
While many gardeners are content with growing flowers, many like to plant their own fruits and vegetables. Having your own veggie plot can provide you with fresh and healthy produce that is free from pesticides and other chemicals. It also doesn’t have to travel thousands of kilometres before it gets to your plate and can be enjoyed at the peak of freshness. This not only can benefit your diet and overall health but can also save you money on your grocery bills.
YOU CAN GIVE POLLINATORS A HELPING HAND
You might appreciate flowers for their beauty and their pleasant smell, but for pollinators like bees and hummingbirds, they are essential food sources. By planting the right kind of flowers in your garden, not only can you appreciate their natural splendour, but you can pat yourself on the back for doing something for the unseen pollinators around you.
Ready to discover how gardening can benefit you and the world around you? Ask the experts at Ritchie Feed & Seed for advice on how to get started. Visit www.ritchiefeed.com to find the garden centre nearest you.