The Benefits of Gardening For Fitness
A healthy lifestyle is important, and gardening is an ideal way to improve your physical and mental health. By putting in a little bit of effort, you can find out how to get your garden ready for a spring spruce-up. Not only can it be a rewarding activity, but you can also enjoy the benefits of a healthy garden for years to come.
Stretching
When you’re gardening for fitness, stretching can prevent injuries and help you stay in shape. But how can you stretch during your garden work?
One way to prevent injury is to do stretches before and after gardening. You should use a variety of movements, such as squatting, lunging, twisting, and jumping. You can even incorporate yoga positions to strengthen and stretch your muscles.
Depending on the type of gardening you do, you might need to stretch your back or your calves. In general, you’ll want to do about five minutes of warm-up exercises and then another five to 10 minutes of static or dynamic stretches.
A gentle stretching routine can increase your flexibility and reduce muscle pain. If you’re new to the sport, start with simple stretches, like reaching for an object, and gradually build up your workouts until you’re ready for dynamic and more strenuous stretches.
For those who already have back pain or are older, stretches can help alleviate tension and stiffness. However, you should avoid stretches that might hurt your back or put undue pressure on your joints.
In addition to stretching, you should take breaks when you feel stiff. You may want to try light watering and jogging to get your muscles moving.
You might also find it helpful to take a break and go for a walk. This will get your heart rate up and help you assess your gardening situation.
Digging in the dirt
Aside from the usual suspects (booze and cigarettes), there are a myriad of health benefits associated with gardening. Those who get their hands dirty may also reap the benefits of the healthy microbes that inhabit their garden soil.
There are many ways to go about gardening for fitness, including raking, pruning, and planting, but digging in the dirt is a great way to get some exercise in the outdoors. It will also give you a multi-sensory experience that will improve your quality of life. This is especially true if you have kids, who will appreciate the fact that you are doing something other than playing video games all day.
The best way to go about this is to find a garden near your house and make it a regular weekend activity. You could get in a good sweat in a short time, and you will have a gratifying sense of accomplishment when you look down at your carefully groomed lawn. Having a garden also gives you an excuse to get your hands on some of those tasty treats that come in the mail from time to time. If you are lucky, you might even get to take a stroll in your own back yard! This is a great exercise in itself and the fact that you are surrounded by nature will make it easier to focus on the task at hand.
Strength-training exercises
Gardening is an excellent way to stay fit. It burns 300 calories per hour, is low-impact, and can be done outside. It does not require a gym membership, and it is easy to incorporate into your daily routine.
Some of the best ways to get a good workout out in the yard include walking, pushing, lifting, and stretching. It’s also important to take a hot shower afterward to soothe your muscles. This will help you to avoid soreness.
A great full-body exercise is the farmer’s carry. It’s a simple, but realistic, exercise that works the back, triceps, and chest.
Another excellent exercise is the push-up. It’s a great full-body workout that will help you to lift heavier objects. You should complete the exercise for two to three repetitions.
Lunges are a great exercise to improve balance and motion in the hips. They’re also a good exercise to do while you’re digging.
If you’re going to be gardening for several hours, it’s a good idea to wear a broad-brimmed hat. You should also wear sunscreen. Make sure to check your yard for ticks and poison ivy.
If you’re new to gardening, it’s a good idea to start with smaller amounts of weight and a shorter amount of time. This will help you to build up your endurance. You should be able to do this before moving on to more strenuous exercises.
Improves cognitive function
When gardening for fitness, you can improve your memory, concentration, and overall health. In fact, it has been shown that gardening helps people with dementia.
Gardening is a wonderful activity that is suitable for anyone. It is also a great form of exercise. It not only improves physical health, but it also reduces stress and depression. It provides an opportunity to interact with others and learn new skills.
Research conducted by Korean scientists shows that seniors who garden show increased levels of brain nerve growth factors. These factors are key proteins involved in cognitive function.
Researchers measured the levels of BDNF, PDGF, and VEGF. The subjects completed a series of activities including making a vegetable garden, digging, and planting. After each activity, blood samples were taken. The results indicated that a 20-minute gardening activity had a significant impact on BDNF and PDGF.
The study was published in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. It is not clear whether the results were related to the therapeutic effects of gardening, or just to the physical activity itself. The study may be limited by the lack of a control group.
Although the results of this study are promising, more research is needed to determine the exact mechanisms behind the health benefits of gardening. Future studies should focus on the physical effects of gardening, such as how it affects brain nerve growth factors. They should also explore the therapeutic effect of gardening in a variety of populations. They should look at the differences between age groups, types of disability, and other factors. They should also consider using psychometric scales to measure mood and memory.
Reduces obesity, diabetes and heart disease
Obesity is a real problem and has become a public health concern of epic proportions. Not only is it the most prevalent disease in the US, but it also is associated with an array of health hazards. One of the more pronounced effects of obesity is its impact on the quality of life. Aside from the physical ailments mentioned above, it is known to affect the emotional sphere as well. It has been estimated that approximately 40 percent of the adult population in the United States is obese. Among children, the figure is even higher. The rate of increase is particularly pronounced in urban environments.
Modern lifestyles involve eating high calorie foods and sitting for long periods of time. In addition to the physical maladies, obesity can also cause cognitive problems ranging from short-term memory loss to dementia. The best defense is to maintain a healthy weight and take charge of your dietary habits. A doctor can help you devise a strategy that is both effective and achievable.
The most important point to remember is that obesity is a preventable disease. Aside from weight loss, there are several other things you can do to reduce your risk of developing heart disease. A good start would be to get in shape. By exercising more often and eating healthier, you can achieve your goal in no time. Lastly, don’t hesitate to ask your doctor about possible medications to lower your risk.
Set a big goal
If you’re a gardener, you may be looking for ways to improve your health. One of the best and most effective is to get out and get your hands dirty. And, while it may seem like a chore, there is a plethora of health benefits to be gained. In fact, gardening has been proven to increase your test scores in the school setting. So, if you’re looking to improve your state of mind, your state of fitness or both, try gardening for fitness.
The best part is, you don’t have to be a pro to do it. If you’re new to the hobby, you’ll find plenty of people willing to show you the ropes. The key is to be patient and have fun. You’ll be rewarded with a better quality of life and a better smelling house. You’ll also get the satisfaction of knowing you are a part of the local community.
As a bonus, you’ll have a nice place to enjoy some well deserved downtime. And, who wouldn’t want to spend time outdoors? There’s a reason gardening is so popular. It’s a great stress reliever. As a matter of fact, the National Health Service has even recommended a prescription for gardening.
If you’re considering a new hobby, you’ll find plenty of resources online. A good place to start is by reading up on the most notable gardening tips and tricks. In particular, you’ll find information on which tools to buy, the most efficient gardening methods, and the best methods for weeding and trimming.
