| We can all benefit from having hobbies outside of our | | | | You can burn up to 400 calories per hour when |
| work and family life. Hobbies have the potential to | | | | gardening, depending on your activity level. Gardening |
| keep us mentally active, physically fit or connected to | | | | incorporates different elements of exercise, such as |
| community. Gardening is one hobby that combines | | | | stretching, repetition and even resistance. Exercise like |
| many positive elements to make it a benefit to health | | | | gardening, done at a moderate level of intensity, can |
| and well-being. Horticultural Therapy is actually a | | | | lower your risk of heart disease, cancer, high blood |
| practice based on the benefits of interacting with the | | | | pressure and other diseases. Physical activity also |
| garden. It is helpful in treating a wide variety of | | | | releases endorphins, which are the body’s own |
| mental and physical health issues, and aids in recovery | | | | way of decreasing stress and producing a feeling of |
| from physical illness. | | | | general well-being. |
| Planning a garden is a creative process that can | | | | Improving your diet by adding more healthy fruits and |
| involve the whole family. Let everyone choose one | | | | vegetables is another benefit of having your own |
| or two of their favorite fruits or vegetables to include in | | | | home garden. After working in your garden, you’ll |
| the garden. Plan the size, the location and the layout | | | | be more likely to increase the number of servings of |
| of the actual planting areas. You can incorporate | | | | vegetables you eat per day. The USDA and National |
| interesting structures or scarecrows in the garden for | | | | Institute of Health guidelines recommend at least five |
| the kids. Of course, learning about plants and the | | | | servings of fruits and vegetables per day. |
| science of growing is a great activity for all ages. | | | | Vegetables are rich in nutrients like vitamin A, vitamin C, |
| Once your garden is planned and seeds or plants | | | | folate, iron, and potassium. They also contain |
| started, it’s time to get outside! This is one hobby | | | | flavonoids, which act as antioxidants that fight disease |
| that allows you to reconnect with nature, enjoy the | | | | and help build our immune systems. By growing even |
| seasons and take time to notice all of life’s little | | | | a small variety of vegetables in your garden, you can |
| miracles. Studies have shown that just being in the | | | | boost your vitamin and mineral intake significantly. |
| garden can decrease depression and increase your | | | | Vegetables are naturally low in calories. The fiber |
| mental well-being. | | | | and water in vegetables make them filling, so if you |
| Some enjoy gardening as a solitary pursuit – a | | | | substitute vegetables for foods higher in calories and |
| chance to clear their mind and have a private retreat | | | | fat, you have the potential to lose weight. |
| from the pressures of everyday life. But gardening | | | | All of these factors add up to make gardening a |
| can also be a social experience if you choose to work | | | | hobby that can have a significant positive impact on |
| with family or even participate in a community garden. | | | | your health. Start planning your garden today and get |
| Of course there is the physical benefit of gardening. | | | | ready to feel great! |