Starting any type of new activity in life can be a daunting task, Especially if are doing it all alone. But gardening is not one of those activities.
The basics of becoming a gardener are easy, All that is needed when starting out is a shovel and some Gardening gloves. As you go on and become more serious about it you get more tools to complement your garden.
The benefits of gardening are huge compared to the work you have to put in. Some of those benefits are:
- Stimulates the Brain.
- Improves the Immune System.
- Lower The stress hormone.
- Increase the levels of dopamine.
- Saves you money in the long run.
- Encourages physical exercises.
- Provides healthier food for consumption.
Stimulates the Brain
Gardening has a particular way of triggers the brain and body to release certain types of hormones that can help reduce the risk of having some types of brain related disease.
It can also stimulate the brain by functioning some parts that are usually inactive.
Huffington Post notes that some studies have shown that gardening is linked to mental clarity, and it also promotes problem solving, learning, and sensory awareness.
Gardening is known to reduce stress, anxiety, and depression, but evidence points toward it also strengthening the brain and reducing the risk for Alzheimer’s to a degree that cannot be ignored.
Improves the Immune System
According to one study involving more than 4,000 people ages 60 and older, adults who garden regularly or engage in other forms of home improvement activities can reduce risk factors for heart attacks and strokes as much as 30 percent.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention claims 2.5 hours of gardening a week can reduce risks for other problems, too, including obesity, colon cancer, Type 2 diabetes, osteoporosis, and premature death.
Also, The exposure to the microorganisms that exist in the soil may contribute to the health of people, especially young children, building immunity against many types of diseases.
One of those microorganism is the M. vaccae(a common, non-pathogenic soil bacterium). Capable of improving your mood, energy and vitality.
It has also shown that it can ameliorate learning and lower stress and anxiety by motivating the brain to produce more serotonin.
Not only that, But the fact that you are outside in the sun will be a huge benefit for both your skin and immune system.
Increase the levels of dopamine
Of-course doing what you love will release a certain amount of dopamine. But some researchers have an interesting hypothesis about gardening specifically.
The hypothesis is that the response evolved over nearly 200,000 years of hunter gathering, that when food was found (gathered or hunted) a flush of dopamine released in the reward center of brain.
The dopamine release can be triggered by sight (seeing a fruit or berry) and smell as well as by the action of actually plucking the fruit.
Even though dopamine responses are triggered by many other things and is linked with addictive and impulsive behavior.
We can still rewire our brains to crave the dopamine hit from the garden and other more sustainable pursuits and activities.
Saves you money in the long run
Having a space where you grow your garden have the possibility of reducing your food expenses, But it highly depends on what type of plants you are growing and how wise you plan your work.
It can also cost you more to to produce your crops if you don’t know how and where to spend your money for your gardening.
The book [ The $64 Tomato by William Alexander ] shows how small gardening tools plus pesticides and water cost can add up quite fast over time.
Finally, The trick is to try and limit the cost it takes to produce one fruit or vegetable by maximizing the quantity you can generate in one cycle.
Here are some steps to follow to guide you in your first gardening project:
- Start small.
- Do some research and start with a plan.
- Select vegetables that you like.
- Get the expensive vegetables.
- Choose vegetables that can be preserved.
Encourages physical exercises
Having to do activities such as pulling weeds, Removing rocks, Digging, Planting, Spreading compost, Cultivating, Trimming trees and shrubs, and raking requires you to expend energy and burn calories.
You may think of gardening as a fun activity or a way to grow food for your family.While this is true, gardening is also a good way to get physical activity.
Physical activity can help strengthen bones and joints, lower blood pressure, and help manage stress. Gardening is a fun, creative, and healthy activity with positive health benefits.
Provides healthier food for consumption
Having organic food is known to be extremely good for your health but comes with a huge cost on your pocket. That is why when you grow your own food is a healthier choice both physically and financially.
When you grow your own food, you will also find it more tasty and savory because of the effort it took for you to get it to the table.
Here are Some of the many benefits it brings:
- Builds your digestive system.
- Improve the healthy microbes in your body.
- Educates you on the type of diets out there.
- prevent any type of food poisoning related to the marketplace.
- No need to depend on people to feed yourself.
Video on how to start gardening
Here is a video to teach you how to become a gardener and show you how it can benefit both you and your environement
Conclusion [ The Benefits Of Gardening as a Hobby ]
Gardening is one of the best hobbies someone can do. The fact that you can not only benefit your Health and finance but also being a part of a greater cause which is improving our environment for a better future.
We hope you like our guide on the benefits of gardening as a hobby. If you have anything you would like us to add make sure to leave a comment down below.
