by E. Rae Fallesen

Created on: February 26, 2008

I am a firm believer in the power of gardening. The health benefits of gardening go beyond the obvious. There is more to tilling the earth than just breaking a sweat as you break up soil.

ALL THE BENEFITS:
1) Fresh air. This is important to everyone. Even if you live in the city the air is going to be fresher around your flowers than it is on the sidewalk. All those little plants casting off little bits of Oxygen and you're bound to get some benefit just by being near them. If you live in the country, your benefits get even better. Breezes blowing through a crop of tomatoes are oh so satisfying.

2) Exercise. Yes, this is the most obvious health benefit of gardening. Gardening can be as much exercise as you can make of it. Moving rocks, moving wood, transporting weeds, spreading mulch, carrying a watering can, reaching around to pull something pesky up by the roots... all of these activities will get your blood pumping and if you're anything like me you'll discover muscles you've forgotten all winter. Who knew your grip could be so strong?

3) Time to think. Health isn't just about your body. When you're alone in a garden with a set task of weed control you can discover what's been bothering you all week accidentally. How many times have you been doing a fairly mindless task and come to the realization that you dread running into a co-worker, or you're tired of the same old yogurt for breakfast every morning? Gardening gives you time to reconnect with yourself. Most people in our break-neck social society don't have enough time to re-evaluate their lives.

4) Reconnection with nature. Simply put, nature will calm you. Things happen slow and steady in the garden. There are lessons to be learned about hard work, priceless beauty and the calm before the storm. Being out in your yard cultivating plant life is one way to focus on what is important and undeniable in life.

5) A sense of pride. There is nothing more healthy than a balanced sense of pride. Work hard in your garden and pat yourself on the back for it. If you're proud and happy you'll be proud and healthy. It feels great to stand back at the end of a session and admire your work.

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