Are you finally thinking about starting your own garden? Due to the global pandemic, most of us have a little more time to spare every day. Growing plants, whether vegetables or flowers and fruits can help to improve our overall health, reduce anxiety, and enhance our mood. Here are the different benefits of gardening for older adults.
History of Gardening
Gardening in ancient times was mainly focused on growing plants that offer a source of food. Instead of spending long hours foraging for food, people started planting vines and trees to make gathering food more accessible.
Health Benefits of Gardening
Many people enjoy gardening and grow their own fruits, produce, and flowers. However, many are not aware of the many benefits of gardening and how it is good for you. Here are all the reasons why gardening is more than just a fun summertime and spring hobby.
- Reduces Blood Pressure – Participating in just 30 minutes of daily exercise can help older adults prevent health problems that are usually associated with aging such as high blood pressure. Gardening increases your heart rate while helping you to build strength and burn calories.
- Strengthen Bones – Spending time in the sun while gardening enables your body to absorb vitamin D. This fills you up with calcium which is an important nutrient that builds strong bones. Long-term exposure to the sun may however increase your risk of developing skin cancer so be sure to always apply sunscreen before gardening.
- Relieve Stress – Experiencing long-term stress can have detrimental effects on our health. Stress may lead to heart problems, depression, and cognitive decline. Gardening provides us with confidence, a sense of control, and pride as we watch our plants grow from a seedling.
- Decrease Risk of Dementia – Gardening provides us with a lot of sensory stimulation. This is effective in reducing the reduce the progression of dementia. Studies have also found that spending time in a garden each day working with plants can potentially reduce the onset of dementia by up to at least 36 percent.
- Combats Loneliness – Isolation can be harmful to our health, especially for the elderly. Community gardens provide older adults with social opportunities to mingle with their neighbors and bond over their favorite pastime.
Gardening in Small Spaces
If you do not have ample space for gardening, you may wish to try urban gardening. It requires just a small space that you can easily set up using common peripherals that are easy to find. Urban gardening is also suitable for individuals who prefer to perform gardening indoors. Here are some great gardening options for small spaces:
- Windowsill Gardening – You can easily garden right by your windows. Choose plants that can easily thrive inside like herbs.
- Vertical Gardens – Make use of hanging pots that you can put in a trellis to allow plants to grow up instead of out.
- Patio Gardens – You can try using raised beds for gardening. They are deep enough to grow vegetables even without much space.
- Indoor Gardens – Choose a sunny area indoors near the window to place your containers. Start with easy plants like spinach, herbs, or cabbage.
