So, occasionally our ever changing Kentucky weather cooperates enough to let us get outside and get our hands dirty.
Dirt, seeds, plants, water, and sunshine = AWESOMNESS
Planting a garden, whether it is large (acres) or small (pots on a patio) has benefits for your health and well being. In fact, in Traditional Chinese Medicine, our acupuncturists are taught to look at the body like a garden, and they the gardeners. When we approach our health and well being as if we’re tending to our own garden, we become more in sync with the natural order of things, and can learn to cultivate ourselves to fulfill our potential for health, wellness, and vitality,
Below are just a few examples of how cultivating your green thumb helps you be healthy in body, mind, and spirit!
- Being outside in fresh air and sunshine allows you to soak in those Sunshine rays (in moderation!) When we absorb these rays, our skin is able to synthesize Vitamin D, which is an important vitamin for bone health, immunity, cardiovascular health, and more!
- The act of planting and tending a garden is physical and mental exercise. Daily tending of the garden is low intensity on the body, but is a great exercise for the mind in the art of mindfulness and focusing on the present moment. If you’re in the business of full landscaping and digging holes for trees and larger vegetation you can get a higher intensity workout 🙂 Just be sure to practice proper lifting and posture to protect yourself!
Health-wise, when you plant your own fruits, vegetables, herbs, etc. you know all about the conditions in which they were planted and cultivated – you were even able to select the seeds you planted (organic, non-GMO etc). So, when it’s time to eat, you know what you’re putting in your body (also a great exercise for mindful eating). You can’t get anymore “local” than your own back yard!- Watching your own food grow in front of your eyes is exciting. Maybe not roller-coaster or sky dive exciting, but watching the small changes that happen everyday is kind of thrilling. It’s those small victories that bring you doses of joy and a smile on your face, and it keeps you open to seeing something new each day, and that makes each day important.
Studies have shown that people who garden have lower cholesterol and blood pressure levels. Not only that, but the body mass index (BMI) is lower in gardeners too. BMI measures the percentage of fat we have in comparison to our muscle mass. You may interpret this information in any way that resonates with you. For us, it gives us a strong inclination that when we’re planting and cultivating our own food, we’re becoming active (physically and mentally) participants in the process which contributes to our health and wellness.- Those who garden have improved feelings of well-being. The types of brain activity that is used in gardening is different than the focus it takes to read this article or text and e-mail messages. This is wonderful for your brain and overall feeling of wellness. Being out in nature, hearing natural sounds, feeling the sun and the breeze is just soothing. It is restorative on many levels,
If you are not able to garden due to space or availability in your own living area, check to see if there are any community gardens in your area that you can join. That way you can get out, grow something delicious or beautiful, and meet some new people.
Here at Stream Point Wellness, we are planting our own pots too!!
Happy Planting!
Brought to you by Mary Pat Curran, LMT @ Stream Point Wellness
