It’s not just your yard that can benefit from a gardening routine. Digging around in the dirt could also be an effective way to improve your own health and physical appearance. From helping with weight loss to helping you get your fix of vitamin D, there are many ways in which gardening can make you glow inside and out. We’ll explore some of these benefits (as well as some of the drawbacks) in this post.
Physical Exercise Without A Gym
Gardening is a full-body workout disguised as a hobby. In fact, the average person can burn 175 to 300 calories per hour doing light gardening tasks. More physically intense gardening tasks like digging and using power tools could help you burn more calories. All in all, if you’ve been looking for a way to lose weight and you don’t want to pay for a gym subscription, gardening could be the answer.
It could also help you to build muscle if you want to get more toned. Carrying tools and pots will help you build upper body strength, while all that squatting will tone up your calves and glutes.
Don’t overexert yourself by choosing very heavy tools or taking on more than you can chew in one day - gardening can lead to injuries if you don’t take precautions.
Relieve Stress By Being Outdoors
Your body and mind can benefit from gardening. It’s a very therapeutic hobby that provides constant reward by allowing you to see the changes you’re making. However, what really makes it good for your mind is the fact that it gets you outdoors.
Many studies have found that fresh air, sunlight and being around nature can help reduce cortisol levels (the stress hormone). Gardening allows you to experience all this without having to go on long walks away from your home.
Reducing your stress levels can not only fend off anxiety and depression, but it can also have physical benefits, including helping to delay wrinkles and prevent skin flare-ups if you struggle with conditions like acne or psoriasis. It could even keep your hair looking healthy.
Farm Your Own Fresh Food
While some gardeners prefer to grow ornamental plants, it’s also possible to grow your own fresh produce. This could include fruit-bearing plants, herbs, spices and vegetables.
Growing your own fresh food could be a chance to keep it all organic. No pesticides or chemicals that could potentially impact your health! You can also consume fruit and veggies straight after picking it, allowing you to retain all of its vitamins and minerals.
These vitamins and minerals will keep all your organs healthy and also keep your skin looking good. You’ll also save money on grocery shopping by growing some of your own foods. Start with fruit and vegetables that don’t require too much care, and then work your way up to more demanding plants.
Expose Your Skin To The Elements
Our skin needs to be exposed to the sun and fresh air. UV light from the sun helps to activate the production of vitamin D, which supports cell growth and repair, keeping our skin firm and clear. Getting regular fresh air meanwhile tends to prevent dryness and helps support our skin’s natural biome.
Of course, there are ways in which going outdoors can damage the skin, so you need to be careful. Too much exposure to sunlight could lead to sunburn and premature skin ageing if you have lighter skin, so make sure to wear sunscreen. Excessive squinting could meanwhile make eye wrinkles develop, so wear shades when gardening on a sunny day.
Pollen, dirt and sweat can meanwhile cause an increase in clogged pores. However, showering and exfoliating your skin after gardening can prevent blackheads and spots from forming. If anything, working up a sweat could actually benefit your skin by helping to get rid of toxins in the skin. Just make sure to drink lots of water so that you don’t get dehydrated.
Tips For A Healthy And Beauty-Enhancing Gardening Routine
To help you get the best health and beauty benefits out of your gardening routine, consider following these tips.
Protect your skin: Slather up on SPF 30+ before heading out to stop you getting sunburnt, and consider sunglasses and a hat for additional shade on very hot days. To protect your hands from cuts, wear gloves.
Choose the right gear: Choosing the right tool can help you to maximize the health benefits. Opting for a battery powered lawn mower over a petrol option is recommended if you don’t want something too heavy and if you want to reduce noise and protect your ears. It could also be worth considering low-vibration strimmers and hedge trimmers to prevent you from developing conditions like HAVS.
Stay hydrated: You could end up sweating a lot while gardening, so bring a bottle or flask of water with you to keep yourself hydrated. Good hydration won’t just stop you getting exhausted, but will also aid muscle growth and keep skin healthy.
Get the family involved: You don’t have to do gardening alone. Consider getting the whole family involved in gardening projects to turn it into an opportunity for family bonding.
Pick the right projects: It could be worth easing yourself in with small projects rather than trying to take on large challenging projects immediately. This will help you to maintain motivation while you are getting into gardening. Eventually, you may crave bigger projects. Try to time these right so that the conditions are good - don’t plan to take on big outdoor projects during rainy seasons unless you like getting wet.
To Sum Things Up
Gardening can make you healthier and more beautiful by helping you to stay in shape, reducing stress levels, allowing you to grow your own fresh foods, and helping your skin produce vitamin D. Just make sure to take precautions to protect your body and skin such as using the right tools, staying hydrated and using sun lotion. Keep yourself motivated by taking on projects in the garden that you want to do and consider getting family involved now and again.
