Gardening has many health benefits.
All that digging, raking and mowing gets the heart pumping and can burn as many calories as a session at the gym.
A number of studies have suggested that gardening and DIY can improve heart health and reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke. Being generally active day to day can help to manage weight, reduce blood pressure and prevent diabetes.
There can be other benefits as well – the garden is a great place to reduce stress and practice mindfulness. It engages the senses and helps to reconnect the body and mind, providing a distraction from worrying about the future and bringing focus on the present moment. So feel the soil in the hands, see the beauty and growth, hear the birds singing and literally smell the roses.
Having a heart condition doesn’t mean time can’t be spent in the garden. To read how Paul Peacock adapted to living with severe heart failure and kept up his passion for gardening, visit: Gardening with heart failure and diabetes |Heart Matters
If gardening is already a hobby, then keep going! If just getting started, consider joining a local community gardening club.
This article is for reference purposes only – it is not designed to be, nor should it be regarded, as professional medical advice. Please consult your own medical practitioner for health advice specific to your condition.
Disclaimer:
This article is for reference purposes only – it is not designed to be, nor should it be regarded, as professional medical advice.