Gardening can extend life by preventing various illnesses, says a research by Growing Health Project. This research was run by Garden Organic and Sustain and funded by the Tudor Trust. The campaign’s mission is to see how community food-growing can be applied by social care services as a cost-effective and risk-free measure to promote health and well-being.
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Gardening: “A Health-Boosting Hobby”
Gardening can extend life by preventing various illnesses, says a research by Growing Health Project. This research was run by Garden Organic and Sustain and funded by the Tudor Trust. The campaign’s mission is to see how community food-growing can be applied by social care services as a cost-effective and risk-free measure to promote health and well-being. Researchers claim that spending time in the green outdoors and growing food may lower the risk of dementia, obesity and high blood. Dubbed as the “green prescription”, gardening can also serve as a therapeutic outlet for people dealing with depression and stress.
The Muscle and the Brain For people with a sedentary lifestyle, gardening is a good transition from a stationary to a more active regimen. It offers a good balance between mental and physical exertion, bringing out the participant’s creativity, as well as hand dexterity. Engagement in gardening, therefore, does not only put the muscles to work, but more importantly the person feels more emotionally and mentally involved. By continuously keeping the brain operating under relatively less pressure, it provides a good form of mental exercise. Furthermore, studies show that people who allot more time in the garden have better moods and lower cortisol levels. Cortisol, also known as the stress hormone, is responsible for mood regulation. People with lower cortisol levels are less prone to depression, anxiety and mood disorders.
The Heart A study in 2013 indicates that daily gardening may also reduce risk of heart attack and stroke. According to the research, which was published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine, regular gardening can extend life as much as 30% and provides as many health benefits as regular exercise. The study has a pronounced emphasis on over-65 individuals because there is little to no need for high-intensity exercises, which makes gardening an instant priority. In 2013, it was voted as the pensioners’ favourite pastime. Today, GPs and other physicians are being urged to prescribe gardening as part of the overall health care interventions.
RESOURCES: http://oakleighmanor.com/ http://www.theguardian.com/society/2013/oct/28/gardening-exercise-cuttingheart-attack-risk-diy-60-plus http://www.express.co.uk/life-style/health/570786/Gardening-key-longer-lifeDoctors-prescribe-health-boosting-hobby