Health & Wellbeing Benefits of Home Gardening

Summer in Bozeman is in full swing and that means many people are out their flower and vegetable gardens. Gardening is not only one of the oldest human pastimes, it’s also one of the most popular , with over 75% of the American population taking part according to a National Gardening Survey.

If you are an avid gardener, you probably already know the many benefits that come with the hobby. But if you are someone who is considering taking up the hobby, here are some of the benefits you can expect:

Improve Your Immune System

 While we can get critical vitamin D from some foods and supplements, there is no better source than the sun. Gardening gives you a great reason to head outdoors and spend some time soaking up those healthy rays. Just 30 minutes of gardening is all that you need to give your immune system a boost.

Fresher Produce

If you grow your own veggies, you know there is nothing quite like going out into your backyard and gathering the ingredients you need for a salad for dinner. Since these veggies are straight out of the ground, they are still loaded with vital nutrients that the produce at our local grocery stores often lack due to long transit times.

As an added bonus, you can save a lot of money growing your own herbs and vegetables!

Family Time

It seems it is getting harder and harder to get the family together for some bonding time, as we’re all so busy with work, school, and extracurricular activities. Gardening is a great (and healthy) way to get everyone together on the weekend to work on a common project.

These are just a handful of reasons why gardening is such a wonderful endeavor. If you haven’t given gardening a try before, make this summer the time you plant a new hobby. It is not too late even in August to plant a few flowers to enjoy all fall. And houseplants can be enjoyed all year long.

At Bozeman Counseling Center, we fill our waiting room and offices with lots of plants to fill the air with extra oxygen and green space. We also encourage our clients to get their hands dirty gardening or tending to house plants as a way to reduce stress, calm their nervous system, and practice some self care.

If you are interested in becoming a new client of Bozeman Counseling Center, feel free to reach out!

SOURCES:

https://www.benendenhospital.org.uk/health-news/helpful-tips/health-and-wellbeing-benefits-of-growing-your-own-food/

https://www.healthline.com/health/healthful-benefits-of-gardening

https://health.usnews.com/health-care/for-better/articles/5-health-benefits-of-gardening