Gardening is Not Only Fun and Engaging, It Benefits You in Many Ways

When initially starting out, gardening can seem a bit overwhelming as it takes a bit of effort to really get it going. This is why it is vital that you have researched it and know what type of equipment you will need, as well as what type of compost and seeds are best for your region and time of year. There are so many benefits to having your own garden and the resources available are pretty much unlimited, as the trend of being green is only getting stronger. Whether you are looking to benefit your wallet or your body, you can’t go wrong with a garden.

Benefit Your Mind, Body, and Soul

Gardening gets you into the fresh air, helping you to unwind after a hard day. Mentally, your focus will shift to nurturing the garden—this allows the daily bothers to slip away. You will also be expanding your knowledge to learn what does or does not work for your garden in terms of nutrients and the like. Stepping out into a garden allows you to breathe in all of the greenery to revitalize your body and put you in touch with the things that truly matter.

Your Home’s Resale Value

It has been said that a garden has the potential to increase a home’s value anywhere from 5% to 11%, or more depending on how much you commit to investing. The garden should complement the size and style of the home. A smaller home can support a modest garden, while a larger home will support a garden that is larger with a bit more intricate planning.

Large Families or Low Income Families

Growing your own food will help to offset the cost of food, which is beneficial for anyone, especially those who are part of a low income demographic or those who have a large family. People all over the world are seeing the effects of the current economic state of the world but luckily a garden can be outside or inside at just a fraction of the cost of regularly purchasing fruits and vegetables.

Food Will Taste Better

You will have greater satisfaction with eating something that you have grown. And one of the amazing things about having a garden is that you will know exactly what is or is not used in the growth process. Pesticides can alter the taste of fruits, vegetables, and herbs and if you are taking the natural route, your food will taste amazing right off of the vine.

It is Really Exercise

Don’t worry if you don’t make it to the gym—it is amazing how much your body will benefit from gardening. All of the building, digging, and planting will cause your body to ache—but in a good way. The first few days you will be sore in places that you didn’t know there were muscles, and that just means that you got in a great workout.

Your Body Will Benefit in The Long Run

There is a stigma that gardening is for older people, but the truth is that there are great reasons that so many older folk take part in the activity. All of the digging, rearranging, and planting actually work on the dexterity of the hands and strengthens them, keeping the muscles in the hands quite agile. Older people may pick up gardening to gain this type of strength back, while those who are younger will hopefully build the strength and keep at it for the future.

Great Source of Vitamin D

Many people don’t realize that they are lacking in vitamin D, and gardening will ensure that the body gets all that it needs. It is vital to remember to put on sunscreen though, even if you live in an area that is overcast. Vitamin D will help you inside and out, boosting your mood while you are productive with your fruits, vegetables, and flowers. Natural sunlight is the best way to get Vitamin D.

Featured photo credit: Garden Aura via gardenaura.com

The post Gardening is Not Only Fun and Engaging, It Benefits You in Many Ways appeared first on Lifehack.

Source: Lifehack.org