This article was contributed by Annie Button.
As we enter the later years of life, finding fulfilling activities that nourish the mind, body, and soul are important. One of the most popular and enriching hobbies to explore more once fully retired is gardening. This particular pastime can resourcefully absorb your time, produce literal fruits of your labours, and offer further mental and physical benefits.
Gardening provides a pathway to better physical and mental health for people of all walks of life. The cultivation of green spaces is rewarding in so many ways, so as we hopefully prepare for another warm summer ahead, let’s explore some of the incredible health and wellbeing benefits that can be gained from our own home plot.
What are the Advantages of Gardening?
A Stress Reliever
Many people find entering their golden years anxiety- and stress-inducing. Whether this is due to long-term health concerns, financial worries, or simply coming to terms with ageing itself, it’s only natural to feel anxious about losing the abilities you had in abundance throughout most of your life.
Gardening is a way to bridge that gap, offering a serene, tranquil escape where you can find much-needed respite and solace from life’s pressures. Connecting with nature and creating a green space that is entirely your own can bring a newfound level of control over something important and dear to you. The physical act of gardening can lower cortisol levels, and as stress dissipates, greater feelings of calm and wellbeing replace it.
Keeps You Active and Mobile
One of the most significant benefits of gardening is the opportunity to stay physically active. Gardening involves a range of motions and activities that can help you maintain flexibility and mobility whilst encouraging better posture. This is an important consideration as you spend less time on your feet during day-to-day activities.
Understandably, you may worry about overexertion during certain aspects of gardening that require more strenuous activity. Digging, raking, planting, mowing, and other movements can engage various muscle groups. Without proper care and preparation, or by doing more than your body is capable of, there is a minor risk of injuries and worsening of musculoskeletal conditions. Knee, hip, lower back, and foot pain can all be exacerbated by overexertion in the garden. Therefore, it is crucial that you pace yourself and know your everyday limits.
As an activity, gardening should be enjoyed. Indeed, it can be an amazing low-impact exercise reducing the risk of other injuries occurring in the home. Over time, the strength you build and the pain you alleviate whilst gardening can make your daily life more active, thus promoting a more active lifestyle all around.
Exercises the Mind and Body
Gardening isn’t just a form of exercise; it also promotes a healthy mind. As a holistic approach, it cultivates a healthy mind by encouraging creative thinking, problem solving, and attentiveness through the process of planning, designing, and caring for your garden. Such cognitive stimulation can be incredibly beneficial, potentially slowing age-related cognitive decline. What’s more, the sense of pride, fulfilment, and accomplishment after a productive day in the garden can boost self-esteem, making other activities feel more manageable and less daunting. Gardening truly nourishes the body, mind, and soul, promoting an active and engaged lifestyle for individuals of all ages.
Gets You Outdoors
There is much to be said about the numerous health benefits of spending time outdoors. Gardening allows pensioners to soak up some sunshine, gain some essential Vitamin D, breathe in fresh air, and connect with the natural world. The gentle exercise involved with gardening outdoors can be a great cardiovascular health boost, promote better sleep patterns, and generally promote a healthier lifestyle.
Can Be a Social Activity
A common concern and challenge for many elderly people is feeling lone, isolated, and separated from their family and friends. However, gardening doesn’t have to be a solo activity; it offers a unique opportunity to connect with other similarly passionate people, share ideas, give advice, and engage in projects together. Using gardening as a social opportunity to make friends and build relationships can be a great regular activity for seniors to share together, which can only be a good thing for reducing loneliness and promoting mental wellbeing.
With the Royal Horticultural Society’s Chelsea Flower Show fast approaching (21st–25th May), there’s arguably no better time to start exploring the real benefits of gardening in later life.
How to Avoid Overdoing It When Gardening
Gardening evidently offers plenty of advantages, but pensioners mustn’t rush into it straight away. Take note of the following precautions to ensure you remain safe and comfortable tacking a gardening project, as on paper it can often appear easier than in execution:
- Warm up: Take a few moments to stretch and warm up your muscles before starting any gardening activities. This will reduce the chances of sprains or pulled muscles.
- Dress appropriately: Wear comfortable clothing, closed-toe shoes with good traction, and sun protection (hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen).
- Pace yourself: Listen to your body and take frequent breaks to avoid overexertion, which may otherwise lead to injuries.
- Remember to stay hydrated: Drink water regularly to prevent dehydration, especially on warm days.
- Use proper gardening tools: Invest in high-quality gardening tools with proper grip to reduce strain on your joints and muscles.
- Consider raised beds: Minimise bending and kneeling with elevated garden plots.
- Speak to your doctor and other health professionals if needed: Always make sure you consult with your doctor if you have an underlying health issue that gardening could exacerbate.
Use Gardening as a Means of Maintaining Your Independence and Active Living
At LifeConnect24, we recognise that many pensioners want to maintain their independence and stay active in later life. Gardening is a timeless activity that has the power to achieve both of these in spades (no pun intended).
Having the reassurance of always being able to reach out for help if necessary, whether inside the home or outside in the garden, is very possible by investing in fall detectors and personal alarms. These reliable emergency assistance products can prove invaluable in letting someone know that something is wrong. Always being able to call for help if necessary will allow you to enjoy your gardening activities with complete confidence, whilst continuing to reap all the personal and horticultural benefits gardening offers.
To find out more about our service and products, contact our friendly team today by calling on 0800 030 8999.
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