Do you want to get in better shape this spring? Are you trying to relieve stress? Eat a healthier diet? Feel more focused? If your well-being is on your mind this season, then you just might consider spending some of your time gardening.

Not only is gardening a fun and rewarding endeavor, but spending time working on a garden has numerous benefits for both mind and body.

Gardening’s physical benefits:

• Exercise – Yes, gardening counts! It’s the kind of moderate intensity exercise that the CDC says we need to get more of.
• Caloric burn – Trying to maintain or lose weight? Fitness Blender notes that an hour of gardening burns well over 300 calories for the average adult.
• Outside time – When gardening outdoors, we reap the benefits of simply being outside, which include everything from getting adequate vitamin D (don’t forget the sunscreen), reducing inflammation,  boosting immunity, and getting fresh air.
• Nutrition – Fruits and veggies begin losing nutrients after harvest. When you eat fresh-picked fruit and vegetables from your garden, you’ll be enjoying produce at its most nutritious. Additionally, when you grow your own food, you’re in control of the soil you use, as well as any fertilizers or pesticides.

Gardening’s mental/emotional benefits:

• Dirt therapy – There’s a reason gardening makes us happy! About a decade ago, doctors confirmed that microbes in soil act as natural antidepressants.
• Cortisol reduction – A 2010 study showed that 30 minutes of gardening can reduces feelings of acute stress and increase positive moods.
• Focus – Gardening, like many outdoor activities, is associated with increased mental clarity.
• Dementia – Like all forms of exercise, gardening can help ward off dementia. Additionally, some studies show that just spending time in gardens can help reduce feelings of agitation in both dementia patients and their caregivers.

Whether we’re gardening greenhorns or established pros, we can all benefit from time spent in the garden. And if you’re short on space, new to gardening, or need ideas, there are plenty of resources out there to help you cultivate your green thumb.

Tips and Resources:

• Don’t have a yard? That doesn’t mean you can’t garden! Check out these ideas  for gardeners with limited space, or these ideas for indoor/window gardening.
• If you have space, consider making raised beds, which, among other benefits, can make gardening a little easier on your body. We love this great overview on raised beds from Popular Mechanics, and these cheap and easy raised bed ideas from Your House & Garden.
• Checkout  your local community gardens. Community plots are often fairly inexpensive to rent, and community garden programs often offer educational workshops and events to help gardeners get the most out of each season. Plus it’s a great way to meet other gardeners!
• Want to give back? Consider volunteer gardening. Many cities and nonprofits offer volunteer opportunities for landscaping and gardening in their community’s parks, gardens, or green spaces. Check your city’s website for volunteer opportunities, or visit Volunteermatch.org to find out if there are volunteer gardening opportunities near you.
• Check with your state university’s extension programs for gardening resources. These programs offer a wealth of gardening information, provide tips and resources that are specific to your climate, and let you speak or email directly with a Master Gardener to get your questions answered — all for free! Here are a few extension programs in our service areas:
  • Oregon State University Extension
  • University of California Master Gardeners Program
  • University of Alaska Extension
  • Washington State University Extension
  • Montana State University Extension

• All of that bending, digging, and lifting can leave you sore, so try these stretches for gardeners, and these tips for ergonomic gardening to avoid aches and pains.

Gardening Discounts

Clearly, we’re big fans of gardening, which is why we’re striving to add more vendors to our gardening category. If there are garden centers or other gardening-related businesses in your area that you’d like to see participating in the LifeBalance Program, sign in and complete our vendor request form, or email us at info@LifeBalanceProgram.com.

Disclaimer: While generally considered moderate exercise, gardening can be physically demanding. As always, we encourage you to speak with a health professional before beginning any new exercise routine.