4 Reasons That'll Make You Want to Get Down and Dirty in the Garden

When you hear of gardening, the first thing you will probably say is how much of a hassle it is. Imagine digging, weeding, and planting under the scorching sun for hours. These are reasons enough to make one feel uncomfortable with the thought, and you probably would rather binge-watch on Netflix if you have the luxury of time.

But the thing is, the world has gotten more stressful recently. Surging prices of necessities, pollution, stressful congested roads, global warming, name it. And you probably experience burning out quite a lot.

(Photo : Markus Spiske, Unsplash)

Here is good news: According to Gwenn Fried, manager of Horticulture Therapy at NYU Langone's Rusk Rehabilitation, being with calm, green environment will make your cortisol–or the "stress hormones"–go down.

You probably think you will need to go hiking. Actually, you do not have to. A well-maintained garden should be enough to calm you down.

If this does not convince you to start gardening, then here are other benefits that you can get from getting down and dirty in the back or front yard.

1. It is a form of exercise.

In 2013, the American Journal of Public Health published an article that claims people who join community gardening program had lower BMIs compared to non-participating neighbors. This is because gardening itself is a form of exercise.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) claimed that an hour of gardening burns 330 calories - just like walking at a moderate pace. And since gardening is a physical activity, it can help lower high blood pressure. Just 30-45 minutes a day is enough, according to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.

2. Sun exposure means more vitamin D in your body.

Vitamin D is an essential that promotes calcium absorption. Calcium, on the other hand, is a needed mineral for bone formation. So having good amount of Vitamin D means stronger bones. While you can get this vitamin from eating fish and egg yolks, your body has a natural capability to produce it when your skin is exposed to the sun.

Don't forget to apply sunscreen before staying under the sun, though. Too much exposure might still cause skin cancer.

3. It promotes better diet and saves money too.

In order to prevent chronic disease, it is recommended to eat at least two cups of vegetables and 1 ½ cup of fruits daily. And by gardening, you and especially your children can develop a habit of eating them since you always have a supply of fresh vegetables, according to a research from the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences in 2016.

And since you grow your own food, you can save a lot of money too. It's a win-win situation.

4. It can make you happy.

Aside from its ability to lower the stress hormones, there is a 2017 study that claims gardening might help fight depression and anxiety. 

And it can also improve your mood because it promotes a better life outlook. According to Gwenn Fries, gardening gives you faith in the future because it allows you to grow "something green, something real, and something alive."

READ: Survival on Mars: NASA Scientists Developing 'Martian Garden'