Gardening for Great Health! 31st May 2022
Gardening for Great Health!
There are a whole bunch of benefits to getting out in the garden; whether you’re a green-fingered gardening god to begin with or you’re a rookie at repotting, we think there is no better feeling on a spring day than getting your hands a little dirty in the garden. Here are just a few of those benefits if you’re considering getting some seeds to sow.
Stress Relieving
Getting out in the garden and giving your mind something else to focus on is a great way to reduce and relieve stress. By giving your hands and mind another thing to focus on outside of screens, jobs, and daily life, it is often found that stress levels come right down. It’s a bonus if there is some vitamin D boosting sunshine peeking out through the clouds as well.
Limber Up Before Picking the Timber Up!
Spring is a busy time of year for us at Stoke Chiro. We find many patients visit us this time of year with a niggle or stiffness which has been there for a few months over the winter which is further aggravated by bending or lifting in the garden. So if you’ve felt some stiffness recently take time to loosen up before doing the big jobs, simple knee to chest hugs and a cat-camel stretch for a minute before you start any gardening will get you limber and less likely to be injured.
Fresh Air and a Fresh Boost to Our Neuro Chemistry
Over the last couple of years, many people have found themselves spending more time inside. Whether that is through lockdowns or moving to work from home, we have certainly seen a lot more walls than we have blue skies. Gardening is a remedy to that because by being outside in nature we actively stimulate the happy hormone serotonin.
A Meditative State
Gardening is often very methodical, and the tasks involved can become almost second nature, and this allows the mind to enter a meditative state. We often associate meditation with an image of sitting with our legs crossed and eyes closed, trying not to let any thoughts creep in. However, that really isn’t what meditation is all about, and it can actually happen however and wherever we choose. Meditation is about calming the mind and slowing down, and gardening allows you to do just that.
Fruits of Your Labour
One of the most satisfying things is getting to see the plants start to grow and nurturing them as they do. Whether you’ve planted flowers or veggies, herbs or trees, tending to your plants and seedlings is one of the most rewarding parts of the process. Give them the love and attention they need and watch them as they grow. Plus, it is a good reminder to get out every day; remember what we were saying about the fresh air?
So, we know there are a lot of benefits to gardening, but it is also important to look after your body while you’re out there. For one, SPF sunscreen is an absolute must even on the cloudiest of days, as is staying hydrated. Another thing to keep in mind is that you may want to protect your knees by getting hold of a knee pad, to ease the pressure that is being put on them. Lastly, if you’ve spent a while hunched over the plants and having a good look at the topsoil, remember to have a good stretch after to release all the built-up tension; it’s meant to loosen you off, not tighten you up!
If your back hasn’t felt like it has sprung into spring time and you’ve got a few twinges in your hinges we are here to help. Like putting WD40 on that creaky garden gate improving the smooth and free movement in your joints and muscles is what we do at Stoke Chiro!
