Gardening isn’t just about creating a beautiful flower bed or productive veg patch, it’s also good for your body and mind.
1. It’s a cardiovascular workout
Several studies have found that gardening is similar to other forms of moderate cardiovascular exercise, and can burn up to 250 calories in half an hour.
Want to lose weight? Research found that digging, followed by raking and weeding burned the most calories. Gardening can also help you tone up. For example, squatting to do weeding or lifting up watering cans all help build muscle strength.
2. It’s beneficial for the mind
Gardening doesn’t just workout the body, it’s also beneficial for your mind. Gardening allows you to be present and is often recommended as a way to be mindful without sitting down to do meditation.
3. It improves flexibility
Reaching to deadhead flowers, bending down to plant seeds or even watering plants at the back of the border all require and improve flexibility.
4. It’s also good for balance and core strength
Many aspects of gardening help develop balance and core strength, which are especially important for the older gardeners among us.
5. It relieves stress
Amazingly, just looking at plants and trees can reduce blood pressure and lower anxiety.
Get the most out of your garden workout
- Garden for at least 30 minutes to count as an exercise session.
- Want a full body workout? Combine push (like mowing or digging) and pull (raking or weeding) motions in the same gardening session.
- Remember to stay hydrated like you would with any other workout.
- Don’t multi-task. Skip the podcast or music and focus on what you’re doing to get the maximum mindfulness benefit.
- After you’ve got your garden workout in, don’t forget to relax and enjoy the fruits of your labour at your garden bench or table.