Gardening Exercise-Double Benefits

​I was reminded by an article by Olivia Heath in www.HouseBeautiful.com that gardening can be an exercise program.  A British TV gardener and a retailer created a program calculating that a recommended daily allowance for gardening of 30 minutes a day boosts physical and mental health.  In my viewpoint, not only will 30 minutes a day provide health benefits, but my garden would look a whole lot better.  It’s actually pretty genius to embrace that goal since it would meet my exercise goal and my gardening tasks with one action.  In other words, two check-marks on my daily to-do list.  

​How many calories can you burn?  According to WebMD:

• Shoveling snow: 400-600 calories per hour
• Heavy yard work (landscaping, moving rocks, hauling dirt): 400-600 calories per hour
• Raking and bagging leaves: 350-450 calories per hour
• Gardening: pulling weeds, planting flowers, etc.: 200-400 calories per hour
• Mowing the lawn: 250-350 calories per hour

Why do I have shoveling snow on this list?  Because our winter will not end.  My sister actually suggested that I use the snow blower to clean up and mulch the perennial beds! 
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The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention not only cite the health benefits but also give some tips on staying healthy.  Here are a few reminders they list:

• Take frequent breaks – who among us don’t overdo especially on the first spring days we get to be outside.  Take a break at least every hour, preferably sitting with a back rest.
• Make sure your tetanus/diphtheria (Td) vaccination is up to date, it needs to be renewed every 10 years.
• Use insect repellent containing DEET to protect against ticks and mosquitos.  Use sunscreen.

In addition to burning calories, gardening can provide other benefits.  Studies have found that gardening reduces the risk of depression, cuts your risk of heart disease, lowers the possibility of dementia, boosts your immune system, increases hand coordination and strength, and also provides a workout for your brain.  Do you want to get gardening now?

With this delayed spring I’m making do by sharping my tools and going to the gym.  Spring will come, someday.