Benefits Of Gardening During Your Retirement

​Seasoned gardeners and rookies all alike have many things to benefit from taking up gardening as a hobby. Even as a late bloomer, it's never too late to start your journey.

Gardening is one of the most satisfying activities we can engage in for ourselves. It provides total-body advantages, but it also strengthens our bonds with the environment and even our communities.

Here's why tending to a patch of land can benefit your health and surroundings!

Excellent for Hands
Gardening is a fantastic way to bolster your hand strength. Maintaining your fingers and hands in peak shape to combat stiffness for as long as possible.

Encourages People to Eat Healthier
Gardening can help you eat healthier since you have a ready supply of fresh, organic produce. It's recommended that we eat at least two cups of vegetables and one-and-a-half cups of fruits every day to get the nutrients we need and reduce our risk of chronic illness.

It's a Fantastic Workout
Weeding, twisting, bending, and crouching all get your body moving. Even less strenuous gardening activities might burn up to 300 calories each hour. Lifting, tilling, and raking are low-impact exercises that increase muscle tone and strength.

Dementia Treatment
Gardening could be used as therapy for those with dementia or Alzheimer's disease. Some care facilities offer healing gardens to help people stimulate their senses.

Improves Mental Well-Being
Gardening can help reduce the amount of stress hormones produced by the body. Relaxation can be aided through mindfulness, in which your thoughts are entirely focused on the present moment.

Aids in the Treatment of Anxiety
Most people who garden regularly will tell you that digging in the dirt helps them relax and feel better. Indeed, gardening has been linked to increased serotonin levels, the feel-good hormone. A garden's tranquil sights, sounds, and scents can also help you rest and de-stress.

Vitamin D Exposure
Vitamin D raises calcium levels in the body, good for your bones and immunity. According to studies, sunlight exposure helped older persons obtain appropriate serum vitamin D levels. Don't forget to apply sunscreen and wear sunglasses to protect your eyes!

Reduction of Loneliness
According to the CDC, many individuals find it difficult to socialize after retirement, and community gardens can be a pleasant way to meet new people while also benefiting the community.

Final Note
A garden does not have to be a huge undertaking. You could start with a small windowsill herb garden or low-maintenance sunflower patch to put your green thumb to the test. You can grow and see where your gardening journey takes you.

Planting a garden, as the saying goes, is believing in tomorrow. So consider sowing the seeds for a greener, healthier, and happier summer season.

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