Recent medical studies have documented what backyard enthusiasts have known for years: gardening is good for us.
It's taken me almost half my life to discover a fabulous gym outside my door. Turning compost is essentially lifting weights. Raking is like using a rowing machine. Pushing the mower is similar to walking on a treadmill. Our exercise machines are post-hole diggers, shovels, rakes, push mowers, and wheelbarrows. Our running track is the yard and garden.
The health benefits of gardening are impressive. Gardening uses all the major muscle groups--the muscles that do most of the calorie burning--in the human body.Your legs, buttocks, shoulders, stomach, arms, neck, and back all get a workout. Gardening also increases flexibility and strengthens joints. And if you are eco-friendly and only use human powered tools (think old-fashioned push mower), the health benefits are even greater. Besides the physical aspects, you are not putting any pollutants into the air with gas-exhaust from your mower or blower. Did you know blowers also produce dust pollution? Using a leaf rake stirs up less dust.
Gardening is also good for the soul.I often lose myself in the garden contemplating all of my issues and concerns, having conversations with the butterflies and lizards, playing hide and seek with the cat as I work the soil.The earth gives back to us as well when we treat her lovingly and with care.And what beautiful color and graceful movement I get back in return from the plants!
So the next time you are conflicted about whether you should mow the grass or go to the gym, consider the work out you will get behind the mower. Or better yet, fire the landscaper and do it yourself. Why pay the landscaper and a gym membership when you can do it and get fit at the same time?
Doreen Pollack is the Garden Goddess and owner of Down 2 Earth Gardens. Join her newsletter for free gardening tips on monthly What to Do in Your Garden this Month. She also holds garden consultations and gardening classes in Phoenix AZ. To find a workshop near you, visit http://www.down2earthgardens.com
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