In about a month, spring is poised to start in Louisiana. As the temperature goes up, you might be thinking of getting your garden shears, trowel, and gloves and proceed to beautify your yard once again. If, not, start prettying them up with some flowering plants and luscious greens. This is, in fact, an enjoyable and safe hobby for you or your loved one, who is already in retirement. Not only this, there can be a lot of benefits of gardening that you can experience if you make this endeavor a habit. Here is a list.
Improved Physical Health
As you grow older, physical activities might prove to be difficult to engage in given the fact that you become more susceptible to health conditions. Strenuous workouts may no longer be possible, but staying fit is imperative so you can remain healthy. Gardening is considered a mild exercise that allows you to move your body and keep your blood flowing for better health. It isn’t too physical, so you need not worry about overexerting or aching muscles after. Overall, gardening can improve the immune system, tone muscles, and maintain healthy body weight.
Improved Mental Health
Just as being sedentary can affect our body negatively, being unable to exercise the brain can also increase memory problems. When you engage in gardening activities, you allow all of your senses to function. This results in a good stimulation of the mind, which can combat signs of memory loss. In fact, it has already been proven by studies that gardening can decrease the risk of dementia and Alzheimer’s.
Renewed Sense of Value
Often, when people grow older and are retired, they may feel a certain loss of importance. They no longer have work that makes them feel a sense of accomplishment, and once loved ones or caregivers start to take care of them, they might feel even more incompetent. A lot of times, this leads to loneliness. However, if you turn to gardening, you have something to look after. When you take care of your plants every single day, you will get that sense of accomplishment again, especially if they grow well and make your garden even more beautiful.
Relief from Stress
Tending to a garden reduces stress. It can improve your overall mood, as well. When you take care of your plants in the garden, you are given the chance to be in tune with nature. You can smell the aroma of fresh leaves, the fragrance of the colorful flowers. You can even listen to the sound of visiting birds chirping. This is a great way to find tranquility and stimulate your happy hormones. No more stress, just contentment.
Source of Healthy And Fresh Produce
When gardening, you are not just given a chance to plant flowering plants, you can also start growing your own fruits and vegetables. Imagine, harvesting your own tomatoes or lettuce for your healthy meals. There’s this phrase “from farm to table.” But if you’re planting your own veggies in your backyard, it becomes, “from garden to table.” You are assured that what you eat is healthy and always fresh.
Enjoy Gardening And Other Activities at The Trace
When you decide to live at The Trace, you don’t just enjoy the benefits of gardening. You can also enjoy the benefits of a wide variety of activities offered by our assisted living community. To know more about or see what it is like to live at The Trace, contact us to schedule a tour today.
