Weekend Workout Blog Post Seven: Gardening

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Fiona_BCNA
Fiona_BCNA Member Posts: 75 ✭
edited September 2016 in Health and wellbeing

Image Source: alreadyhome.com.au

Gardening has many health and therapeutic benefits and can be very enjoyable. It’s an activity that everyone can enjoy. Whether your garden is a small balcony planter, a backyard vegetable garden or a plot in a community garden, gardening is a very healthy hobby, on so many levels. Studies show that gardening promotes physical health, mental health through relaxation and satisfaction, and better nutrition.

The activity of gardening is a form of regular physical exercise. Research shows that gardening can offer enough moderate physical activity to keep you in shape and is a great way to meet the physical activity guidelines. Gardening also provides a rewarding motivation in the form of delicious fresh produce. Studies have shown that gardeners eat more fruits and vegetables than other people. The freshest food you can eat is the food you grow, and when you have access to a garden filled with fruits and vegetables, you’re able to eat some of the healthiest food you can get.

Gardening is also great for improving mental wellbeing. Studies have shown that those who participate in gardening have a more positive mental outlook than those who don’t garden. The benefits appear to spring from a combination of physical activity, awareness of natural surroundings, cognitive stimulation and the satisfaction of the work. We must also remember that we humans are social creatures, and we maintain psychological and emotional health by interacting with one another in some form of community. Gardening can connect you with people and community gardens provide an ideal opportunity for people to interact with each other.

“All the world’s problems can be solved in a garden” - Geoff Lawton (Permaculturist) Gardening can indeed feed the body, mind and spirit.

Tips for your health whilst gardening

  • Be sun smart – wear a hat, long sleeves and use sunscreen
  • Stay hydrated - take a bottle of water with you
  • Be careful not to strain your back. Bend at the knees and don’t lift anything too heavy.
  • Use gardening gloves and a kneeling pad. 

To find your nearest community garden, or to start a garden in your community visit http://communitygarden.org.au/.

For more gardening tips and information watch this video. http://www.abc.net.au/local/videos/2013/04/09/3733264.htm.

May you be Mindful message.

Mental Photography

Try taking mental photos of interesting things you find as you are out and about. To take a mindful photo, think about what details you’d like to capture in a shot.

Don’t forget to post about mindfulness to be in with a chance to win the May you be Mindful prize pack. Post a quote, a picture, a story… you have to be in it to win it.

 

References:

Permaculture Research Institute 2013, Wellbeing Gardening – Gardening for the Body, Mind & Spirit, http://permaculturenews.org/2013/06/05/wellbeing-gardening-gardening-for-the-body-mind-spirit/, viewed May 2016

Better Health Channel 2016, Gardening for health - starting out, https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/healthyliving/gardening-for-health-starting-out, viewed May 2016

Kansas State University (2009, February 17). Gardening Gives Older Adults Benefits Like Hand Strength And Self Esteem. ScienceDaily. Retrieved February 11, 2013, from http://www.sciencedaily.com­ /releases/2009/02/090203142517.htm

American Society for Horticultural Science (2008, December 30). Gardening Provides Recommended Physical Activity For Older Adults. ScienceDaily. Retrieved February 11, 2013, from http://www.sciencedaily.com­/releases/2008/12/081229104702.htm

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Comments

  • gilliegirl4
    gilliegirl4 Member Posts: 18 ✭
    edited May 2016
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    I TOTALLY agree with everything written here.  I ADORE my garden.  I have a small front, back and some down the side.  Not big, but enough for One person to manage and care for. And something new to enjoy every single day I go out into it.
    I am 1 year post Right Axillary Dissection.  Had surgery to remove lymph nodes, 6 months of Chemo, 1 year of Herceptin (finishes Sept 2016) and 5 weeks radiation. 
    I am/was/still am going really well except swelling in my breast, heaviness and fullness.  I am waiting to hear from my Breast Care Nurse to ask her if l may have Breast Oedema. 
    I am due to have a follow up Mammogram and a visit to my Breast Surgeon in 3 weeks, maybe that will tell me.

    Big smiles nevertheless, am loving 'finally' the cooler Melbourne weather.

    Best luck to everyone on this site.

    GG 

     

  • SarahL501
    SarahL501 Member Posts: 22
    edited May 2016
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    Thanks for your post, GillieGirl4. Glad to hear that you really enjoy your garden. It's great to get outside and breathe the fresh air.

    Best wishes for your follow up appointments,

    Sarah

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