Gardening - A Relaxing Activity That Makes People Happier

Gardening has many physical and mental benefits, according to a recent study by The Spruce. According to the study, gardening has the same impact on people's well-being as exercise. This activity is good for cardiovascular health, it can even protect against Alzheimer's disease. Find out in this article about the benefits of gardening.

1. Gardening - Health Benefits

Gardening is a very relaxing activity, which involves: weeding, mowing, sowing, etc. These special activities can greatly increase people's well-being, say, researchers.

During gardening, you have the opportunity to spend more time outdoors and enjoy the sun.

According to a recent study, gardening has many health benefits, including:

• Exposure to sunlight and movement during gardening facilitates the release of serotonin into the brain; this hormone has been associated with stimulating well-being and inducing a feeling of calm.

• With 30 minutes of gardening, you can burn the same number of calories as when you play 30 minutes of badminton or volleyball.

• Gardening induces a good mood because you are exposed to nature, air, light, and plants.

• Gardening has an antidepressant and anti-stress effect, it also helps to increase self-esteem and morale.

Gardening can increase your attention and concentration

Researchers suggest that gardening can help restore mental health, promote peace of mind, and stimulate attention. Gardening helps you focus on the present moment, to exercise your attention, and this is an excellent exercise for maintaining mental health.

Even a simple walk in the garden is related to increasing people's well-being.

Gardening prolongs your life

Several studies have shown that this activity is a good exercise for health. Gardening has a therapeutic effect, reduces the symptoms of mental illness (depression, anxiety), provides joy and peace of mind.

Gardening is a great way to go out in nature every day and be creative. It can be considered a relaxing hobby or a pleasant job. For some, it is a refuge, a daily routine, or a moment of relaxation. The atmosphere in the garden is attractive, interesting, full of special charm. Nature impresses and soothes with sounds, smells, colors, and other fascinating things.

People who spend part of their time in the garden escape from reality, get rid of nervous tension and stress. The level of stress hormones is reduced in this way, and the effect of this activity becomes therapeutic, physiological, calming.

Plant care is very pleasant, it gives a sense of responsibility, confidence, and self-esteem. Through gardening, people learn to respect living things and this makes them appreciate more the magic of nature.

Researchers have found that plant care has many benefits for people's mental health and overall health. All gardening activities provide a state of joy that promotes longevity.

The time spent in the garden is a bit tiring (some people would say) but also relaxing. In this way, you can sit outdoors, enjoy the sun, the positive energy of plants, and this will help you feel better and sleep better at night. By gardening you get rid of negative emotions and thoughts, you feel better, calmer, and free from stress.

2. You can get rid of the effects of stress by gardening

Your current lifestyle (work, family, financial problems, etc.) causes you a lot of stress, which is not just a negative feeling, it is a danger to your health.

The consequences of stress are devastating, they include:

• Headaches and migraines

• Aggravation of acne, formation of wrinkles (due to loss of collagen due to stress)

• Hair loss, brittle nails

• Micro inflammation of the skin and early aging of the skin

• Fatigue, dark circles

• Triggering of heart disease, high blood pressure

• Accumulation of fat in the intra-abdominal area and increased risk of obesity

• Worsening of asthma attacks (especially in children with the disease)

• Increased risk of death or early death.

• Gardening reduces anxiety and stress

By spending time in nature or the garden you can improve your health and reduce your anxiety. This activity helps you get rid of stress, nervous tension, emotional imbalance.

Just 30 minutes a day of gardening is enough and you can reduce your stress level a lot.

Gardening relieves depression in people

Depression, whether acute or chronic, has become a popular disease worldwide. Globally, the number of people suffering from depression has increased, mainly due to the negative news and the problems caused by the coronavirus pandemic.

Researchers say that gardening, or exercising outdoors, can cure depression. The brain produces more serotonin through exercise and exercise, people become calmer, feel better and thus get rid of depressive states.

Gardening has an antidepressant effect and can replace medications to reduce depression, which causes side effects. Serotonin released in the brain induces a good mood, which is a good remedy for fighting depression.

Healthy eating

A healthy diet also plays an important role in mental health. A healthy diet includes a range of foods that provide more nutrients and more energy. Depressive symptoms can be reduced by such a diet, which consists of foods that induce a state of well-being and pleasure.

Foods that promote mental health are:

Antioxidants found in vegetables and fruits that reduce inflammation in the brain and eliminate oxidative stress

Carbohydrates from vegetables, grains, and fruits, provide energy to the body's cells and brain

Omega-3 fatty acids found in fatty fish meat (such as salmon)

Probiotics and prebiotics in dairy products (such as kefir and yogurt) help the development of beneficial bacteria in the intestinal flora.

In Japan, people eat less processed foods. They especially choose fruits, fish, green tea, soy products for the daily diet, which have a positive effect on mental health.