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The health benefits of gardening (regardless of how well your garden grows)

Posted in Fitness Tips on September 4, 2013.  Last modified on April 30, 2018. Read Disclaimer.

emotional and physical health benefits of gardeningFlower garden, vegetable garden, container garden... no matter which way you dig it, plant it, pot it or mulch it, gardening can be a boon to both your physical and emotional health.

Improved mental and emotional health

Gardening can not only give you a source of fresh, wholesome vegetables, but it can also help improve your outlook and quality of life, according to a study from Texas A&M and Texas State University. Researchers there found that older adults who considered themselves gardeners were more likely to engage in physical activity and report a higher quality of life than non-gardeners.

Other studies have shown that gardening can help reduce stress and even depression. Another fun fact: gardeners often exhibit the same brain wave patterns as people who meditate.

Getting physical

Gardening won't turn you into a fitness icon, but it will provide low-impact exercise that can get your blood moving. Compared to non-gardeners, home gardeners are stronger, less likely to be overweight or obese, and have better overall physical health. Gardening may also help improve mobility and fine motor coordination.

No place to garden? No problem!

Don't have a green space at home? Try container gardening: flowers, vegetables, herbs and more can all be grown this way. Another increasingly popular choice for urban dwellers in greater San Diego is community gardening. These gardens bring people together in a common cause, benefiting both the gardeners and the community as a whole. Not only that, but community gardeners are less likely to be overweight and obese than their non-gardening neighbors.

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