Gardening: A hobby with myriad health benefits beyond beautification.
While often belittled by the younger generation, gardening remains a passion project for many adults, offering a treasure trove of benefits beyond simply growing flowers or vegetables aesthetically.
Speaking to India Today, Dr. P Venkata Krishnan of Artemis Hospital emphasized gardening’s positive impact on mood and stress management. The activity stimulates feel-good endorphins, like exercise, through exposure to sunlight and Vitamin D absorption.
The expert highlighted gardening can burn up to 330 calories per hour, providing a low-intensity option for those opposed to rigor.
Additional manual tasks, such as lifting items, pushing tools, and navigating the outdoors, also impart a whole-body workout.
Importantly, gardening engages the brain akin to puzzles or games. A 2019 study found improved nerve growth factors tied to memory in seniors who took up gardening, suggesting possible aid in dementia prevention or treatment.
Regular practitioners also gain immunity advantages through balanced Vitamin D levels, aiding calcium absorption and bone mineral density.
While casually dismissed by some, incorporating gardening into routine confers a treasure trove of benefits beyond beautification. From mood enhancement to decent calorie burn, workout to brain stimulation – it is a therapeutic hobby worthy of further consideration.
