If you’re feeling a little bored of staying indoors, scrolling through Netflix, and sitting on the couch, it might be time to find yourself a new hobby. Gardening is a great hobby for a whole number of reasons and can benefit you in more ways than you think. Whether it’s tending to potted indoor plants, renting an allotment, or sprucing up your outdoor space, here are five reasons gardening should be your next hobby.
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It releases serotonin
Serotonin, the chemical our bodies release to elevate mood and reduce anxiety, can actually be triggered by the soil in our back garden. According to research published by Bristol University, a particular type of bacteria found in the soil can trigger our bodies to release the mood-boosting chemical, meaning weeding, repotting, or planting new shrubs will actually make you feel happier.
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It’s good exercise
We’ve all heard the calories you can burn when cleaning the house, and gardening is no different. The University of Scranton found that gardening and other light exercises can burn more calories than heading to the gym. The exercise is low intensity but can be done for much longer than standard cardio. So, if you’re raking or mowing the lawn, or even just weeding for an hour, you could be burning more than 400 calories without even realizing it.
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It’s massively satisfying
By tending to your garden, you’ll quickly gain a great sense of fulfillment when you sit back and see what you’ve done. The same can’t really be said for completing yet another series on Netflix. By giving ourselves more purpose, we can benefit from better self-esteem and reduce the symptoms of mental illness.
You might have in the past called in the professionals to get the garden looking good before the summer. But with suppliers like arbourlandscapesolutions.co.uk, you can get everything you need to do the work yourself, burn calories while you’re doing it and enjoy how impressed everyone is when they see the finished product!
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It’ll change the way you eat
If you start growing your own herbs on the windowsill or set up a vegetable patch in the garden, you’ll become more aware of the things you’re eating. In Barcelona, it was found that children who were shown and taught about growing their own food actually consumed more fruit and vegetables. After all, who doesn’t want to eat something they’ve grown themselves?
Picking fresh herbs or harvesting fruit and veg from your own garden will also allow you to enjoy the flavor at its best, as well as reducing your carbon footprint.
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It’s a great way to practice mindfulness
Mindfulness isn’t all about meditating and yoga. Gardening is a great way to practice mindfulness because, as to tend to your plants, you need to be in the present. It’s also an ideal distraction from the technology and stresses of modern life. While we might be tempted to snack, drink, or smoke to cope with stressful situations, caring for a desk plant or heading to an allotment after work will help you destress and give you peace of mind after a tough day.
Start off small with a few indoor plants and see where this hugely beneficial hobby takes you.