In 2016 we will…
Do more gardening.
This is a resolution that will benefit both your health and your garden. Now, I know winter isn’t exactly the most obvious time of year to be thinking about getting out in the garden, but there is always something that needs doing and even if the weather is so bad it prevents you going outside, there’s still plenty of planning that can be done inside.
Just look at these reasons why gardening is so beneficial to our health:
Exercise – Doing just one hour of light gardening; weeding, planting seeds etc., can burn up to 360 calories.
Clears the mind – Doing a job that doesn’t require much brain power, for example weeding, gives us a chance to reflect. Gardening allows us a bit of precious and much needed ‘me’ time; a time where we can be more mindful of our actions and essential stock take the thoughts whizzing around our brains.
Fresh air – Nothing beats a blast of fresh air to make you feel re-energised, refreshed and rejuvenated. In the summer months getting out in the garden also helps your exposure to vitamin D from the sun, which is great for keeping your bones healthy, just remember to apply sun lotion.
Hobby – Having a hobby, like gardening, keeps the brain active and gives us a general sense of meaning and purpose in the world.
Rewarding – What better feeling than knowing you have planted some seeds, watered and cared for those seeds to finally experience the reward of beautiful flowers, juicy fruits or bulging vegetables at the end of it all?
Healthy – If you grow your own fruits and vegetables chances are you’ll be eating them too, which is obviously incredibly healthy and a great way to eat your 5-a-day. Eating home grown food is better for you, because you are unlikely to have used any pesticides or harmful chemicals and you will also be eating them at their absolute, optimum freshness, meaning a greater nutritional quantity of healthy vitamins and minerals.
Make gardening one of your New Year resolutions and you’ll be reaping the benefits come the spring. Why not invest in some gardening books, which will help you work out what can be planted when etc., or take a look on Pinterest for some great small space planting ideas; you really can create a garden out of the tiniest of spaces. And send us your garden photos; we’d love to see them 🙂
