Posted on November 20, 2007 in latest news
Nature in the truest sense is a real source of comfort to our stressed bodies and mind. The importance of seeking solace in nature was stressed by various poets like Wordsworth and many others, ages ago. Nature(as a sorce of relief )with all its greenery and habitat is very much needed in today’s world of pollution and stressed living.
With the number of skyscrapers growing around everywhere and the massive deforestation occuring ,we do not get to enjoy the everyday beauty of nature. Unfortunately in order to enjoy the pleasures of nature we have to travel to holiday centers where one gets to see a just a glimpse of greenery.
Fortunately though, we can enjoy several benefits of nature by adopting gardening as our hobby. There are several benefits of gardening. Evidence proves that, gardening is good for people, as well as plants. That fact is emerging clearly from research in diverse fields as medicine, psychology, urban housing and horticulture.
The physical benefits may be easiest to prove.
1) Just walking through a garden can reduce blood pressure. If you pick up and use a shovel or hoe, you gain strength benefits. In fact, according to the latest research, digging burns about double the calories per minute of a more commonly endorsed form of exercise, such as biking.
If you use those tools with some enthusiasm or determination, you also get aerobic benefits similar to those in jogging or working out with exercise equipment. Unlike the bleak, goal-challenging rigors of the gym, gardening is great fun.
2) Research shows that people who garden at least once a week have higher bone density than those who swim, jog, walk or do aerobics.
3) For people with limits created by age or handicap, the passive benefits of gardening are just as important as the active exercise
Hospital studies have shown that just seeing plants (and/or their flowers) can make a difference. Patients who viewed outdoor plants regularly recovered more quickly from major surgery and also required fewer painkillers.
4) NASA studies discovered that foliage plants, such as the philodendron and spider plant, reduce indoor air pollutants, too.
5) Researches also show that the presence of a single plant or flower in an office has the same psychological effect as a roomful of plants and flowers. Plants in the office are said to reduce stress and absenteeism. They generate the feeling of security and pleasantness.
6) Planting tress and watching them grow creates a feeling of accomplishment and well being and also increases levels of fitness.
The beauty of gardening is that anybody can do it. So, try out this technique of fitness. Gardening is like a game of golf, whether you’re gardening at 18 or 90, the health and psychological benefits are the same.
» Filed Under latest news
