The air wafted, sweet and warm, through the budding branches, over the greening grass, in and about the burgeoning ephemerals. The earth was softening, and the landscape was preparing to burst with color and life. Nature was beckoning us outdoors into her lovely, therapeutic realm.
Spending time in green spaces has been proven to be beneficial to our overall health and well-being, but did you know gardening has its own benefits? Let’s take a look!
Get Some Exercise & Vitamin D
Gardening provides both anaerobic and aerobic exercise. An hour of gardening can burn up to 300 calories, and best of all, it’s free! Additionally, Vitamin D is primarily acquired through sun light, so soak it up!
Decrease Stress Levels
Gardening has been known to boost moods while decreasing stress levels. It has also been shown to decrease depression.
Boost Your Immune System
Friendly soil bacteria, whether inhaled or ingested, has been found to alleviate allergies and asthma while decreasing anxiety, which also helps foster a healthy immune system.
Grow Healthy/Safe Food
You’ll know exactly what’s in your food when you grow and harvest it yourself!
Get Your Creative Juices Flowing
Gardening is a wonderful way to express yourself. Try something new each season. You are only limited by your imagination!
Enhance Emotional/Spiritual Well Being
Gardens can serve as tranquil retreats. Many find the act of gardening to be therapeutic. It can also help boost self-esteem and confidence.
Challenge Your Brain
In addition to exercising the body, gardening can help keep your brain nimble. Learn how to garden through trial and error, keep a journal, pick up a book, and feed your brain.
Gardens are a feast for the senses, and their aesthetic appeal is undeniable. You needn’t a large space, or a ton of money – just the drive to reconnect with nature, and in doing so, your health and well being will benefit as well. Reach out to Sweeney’s, and we’ll help get you started! We proudly serve the communities of Villa Park, Elmhurst, Oakbrook, Oakbrook Terrace, Glen Ellyn, Lombard, Wood Dale, Itasca, and more!
Sweeney’s: A Plant Based Company
Plant of the Week
Scentsation Honeysuckle Vine
Showy vine with extremely fragrant yellow flowers that bloom mid-Spring to late-Summer, followed by red berries. Prefers sun and moist, well-drained soil. Grows 12-15′ tall and 4-6′ wide. Excellent for training up a trellis or fence. Non-invasive. Attracts wildlife, butterflies and hummingbirds.
“Gardening simply does not allow one to be mentally old, because too many hopes and dreams are yet to be realized.”
~ Allan Armitage
Best wishes,
Kim Sweeney
Thanks for the very inspirational post. I always feels better after a day of gardening. As a bonus, I typically sleep quite well after being outside for most of the day.
Btw beautiful pictures.
Love the idea of vines, they seem often overlooked in the garden, but offer so much interest.
Awe, thank you for your kind words! We always aim to inspire, and couldn’t agree with you more. There’s something therapeutic about being outdoors with your hands in the dirt. Let us know if you add any vines to your garden this year. Would like to know what you planted, and how it goes.