Health Benefits of Gardening.
Mention fitness to anybody, and they automatically think of killing themselves in the gym, but spending tons of cash on a gym membership is not the only way to get a good workout. Look outside. Does your garden look as if it could do with a spruce up? Well get out your rag clothes and be prepared to sweat!
Any type of movements, like the ones involved in gardening will raise your heart rate, and a raised heart rate will mean you are training your cardiovascular fitness. As well as improving your fitness, gardening also helps promote fat loss. Studies show that an hour in the garden can burn between 250 – 400 calories per hour! That’s just as much as an hour’s jog.
Not only does gardening improve your cardiovascular system, it also increases your strength and helps build muscle mass. Activities such as digging, pushing the mower and shovelling all involve large muscles being worked, leading to them increasing in strength and muscle mass.
One other health benefit from gardening is your exposure to sunlight. Sunlight is vital for your body to produce vitamin D which is used to promote healthy bones and may help slow down the effects of osteoporosis. Sunlight is also a good motivator, as it keeps your spirits and mood high.
As silly as it may seem, a good stretch before you take part in any gardening activities is important to prevent any injuries. Gardening can be a very physical activity, and can be strenuous on your body, so stretching beforehand will reduce the risk of pulling a muscle.
So, the next time you look at your garden and realize it needs a makeover, do not throw it to the back of your to-do list, get outside, soak up the sun and enjoy the many health benefits it will bring you. Not only will you be thanking your garden for the good workout, you will also be left with a visually pleasant garden as a result of all your hard work.
