Health Benefits of Gardening
April is a wonderful time to get outside in Florida and Coastal Alabama and do some gardening. The timing is right for the plants and you’ll benefit too, both physically and mentally. Let’s examine what to plant and why it’s so beneficial.
Spring Plantings
It’s appropriate to plant warm-season vegetables including tomatoes, peppers, eggplants, cucumbers, squash, and beans. These crops do well in warmer temperatures and longer spring days. Likewise, herbs like basil, cilantro, parsley, and dill are great choices, in the ground or pots. Planting perennial flowers such as lantana, salvia, pentas, and coreopsis add color to your garden year after year and attract pollinators like butterflies and bees. It doesn’t matter what size yard you have. Container gardens are a great option if you just have a small porch and not much green space. Your garden doesn’t have to be big or fancy to bring you joy. It’s the act of planting, growing, and caring for plants that is so rewarding.
Health Benefits
Gardening offers a multitude of health benefits. Physical activities such as digging, planting, weeding, and watering can contribute to improved strength, flexibility, and endurance. Spending time in nature can lower cortisol levels – the stress hormone. The soothing sounds, smells, and sights of a garden can create a calming effect, reducing anxiety. Gardening is linked to improved mood and reduced depression. Planning and organizing a garden helps to stimulate the brain and can improve cognitive function. The connection to nature while gardening can enhance feelings of interconnectedness and promote a sense of belonging to the natural world. And lastly, spending time outdoors in the sun can increase vitamin D production which is essential for bone health and immune function.
Forest Bathing
Taking things a step further, Shinrin-Yoku is a Japanese word for Forest Bathing. It originated in Japan in the 1980s and is a holistic approach to promoting health and well-being, addressing the physical, mental, and emotional aspects of wellness. By immersing oneself in the healing power of nature, individuals can experience profound benefits for body, mind, and soul. Forest Bathing is so powerful, that the Japanese prescribe its use instead of prescription drugs. Beneficial effects of forest bathing (that have been scientifically proven) include:
- Increased natural killer cell count and improved immune system function
- Reduced blood pressure
- Improved sleep
- Higher energy levels
- Improved mood
- Increased concentration, particularly among children with ADHD
- Faster recovery from illness or surgery
- Decreased stress
Why Dirt Smells So Good
Geosmin: Geosmin is a compound produced by soil-dwelling bacteria called Actinomycetes. When raindrops hit the ground, they disturb the soil and release geosmin into the air. Humans are extremely sensitive to geosmin, and even in tiny concentrations, it can create the distinctive earthy aroma associated with freshly dampened soil. Plants oils contribute to the fragrance of the soil, as does decomposing organic matter. The aromas are more pronounced after a rain as the moisture in the air increases. For many people, the smell of soil evokes memories of outdoor activities, gardening or childhood experiences.
Holiday Builders
Holiday Builders is a Florida-based homebuilders specializing in building single-family homes in Florida and Coastal Alabama. With three collections of floorplans, Holiday Builders offers the style, quality and price options for families of all sizes and budgets. Visit HolidayBuilders.com to find your new home.
Tags: gardening, health, home, spring garden, stress reduction
