How to Save Money & Improve your Health

Why pay to visit the gym when you can take up gardening. It’s a great form of low-impact exercise that can improve your health in many ways

Photo by: Ross Brown – Your Life Photographer http://www.yourlifephotographer.com

Get Grounded

The simple act of getting your hands in the dirt, walking barefoot on the lawn or sitting in your garden observing the sights, sounds, smells, touch and taste of the fruits of your labour, has many emotional, physical, mental and psychological benefits to your health

Think about common phrases like:

“bring you back to earth” meaning returning to reality and“being grounded” meaning being fully conscious and fully present in the now

Relieve stress

Certain soil bacteria release serotonin [the happy chemical] into our brain, which helps to relieve stress.   Some soil bacteria are also natural anti-depressants and help to strengthen our immune system

You also receive a hit of dopamine when you see your garden flourish. Think about the natural high you feel when you pick a flower, vegetables or fruit. Dopamine is released into the reward centre of your brain and you feel that you want more, so you continue to garden

There are other positive benefits to being among your garden and green spaces; it has been proven to increase recovery rates from illness and surgery as well as lowering blood pressure and pulse rates, increasing liveliness and lowering mortality rates.

Photo by Dan Chung

Reduce anxiety

Gardens and green spaces also help reduce anxiety and aid your concentration. Remember, some of our greatest thinkers and scientists did their best work outdoors: Plato; Aristotle; Buddha and Newton under his apple tree

Green healing does not stop outside. You can bring this joy into your home and workplace. Studies have shown that potted plants can reduce air toxins by as much as 20%.   Similar studies in Europe have shown potted plants in the office can reduce ‘sick leave’ by up to 60%

 

Boost your Health

Look at including these health-boosting plants into your garden:

• Aloe vera: Break a leaf to reveal the sap to rub onto your skin to relieve burns, bites, itches and rashes. It is both an astringent and antiseptic

• Coriander / Cilantro: Good for digestion and has been shown to positively reduce blood pressure

• Lavender: The scent aids relaxation, sleep and nausea and it great at attracting bees to your garden

• Mint: A calming and soothing herb. Use it to ease an upset stomach, indigestion and relieve bloating

• Rosemary: Crush some leaves and inhale the scent. Traditionally used to help alleviate muscle pain, improve memory and concentration, boost your immune and circulatory systems.

So next time you are gardening or enjoying the fruits of your labour, think about how much good you are contributing to your own health and wellbeing.

Happy gardening!

Glenda

Originally written for and published at: https://www.hoselink.com.au/blog/how-gardening-is-improving-your-health/

Photos source from Unsplash.com 

Leading photo by:  Marie-Sophie Tekian

About Growing Snowballs

I have been described as Savvy; a Bargain Hunter and Tight. My fav is Value Shopper. I love a bargain to save money. I do this in-store, online, buying 2nd hand, recycling & upcycling. This is good for my pocket & good for this Planet. Check out some of my quirky projects as well as read about how you too can save yourself some money & time.

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