The surprising benefit of gardening
Have you ever heard the term summer bodies are made in winter? Luckily winter is almost upon us so what better excuse to get out into the garden and work those muscles, whilst bettering your garden.
While most people believe gardening is just for the visual appeal getting out and dirty in the garden is also helping you work up a sweat!
As a gardening enthusiast, you've probably spent hours reading and exploring how to produce a healthier, more beautiful garden or simply how to keep your plants alive and thriving. But have you ever considered how gardening can produce a healthier you without ever having to consume a single homegrown meal?
There are so many simple gardening activities like raking, fertilizing, weeding and mowing that can all give you an enjoyable and rewarding workout. Gardening is, in fact, a legit physical activity. It’s also a great alternative to traditional exercise because it incorporates elements of exercise while enabling you to engage in an enjoyable activity in the privacy of your own surroundings and amongst your own family.
Elements of gardening such as digging, weeding, trimming shrubs and mowing the lawn can require the same energy requirements as other physical activities such as walking, cycling, swimming and aerobics. It gives you zest for life and can even make you feel younger, after all, it reminds us of those days as kids looking for the latest insect.
Gardening helps tone your physique while also tending to the plants. Work such as raking and carrying leaves can tone the upper arms and increase flexibility and strength, which all qualify as moderate to high-intensity physical activity. Not to mention, you can expend as much effort raking the lawn as you would during a leisurely bicycle ride…it’s also great at perfecting your squat technique when pulling out those rude weeds.
Physical benefits aside, gardening also provides us with the satisfaction of a beautiful lawn to look at or fresh fruits and vegetables to enjoy.
So as the gardening season approaches, consider your gardening time as an opportunity to get a healthier lawn and a healthier you! Go green to get lean, seriously it can put a spring back in your step.
Beyond Sunflowers is a plant emporium based in Melbourne, and aims to be the catalyst to changing and, improving your home visually and its environment by adding some greenery.
