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Abstract

size my vegetable gardens at some point. Raised bed gardens offer an easier way to garden if needed. There are even taller planting boxes that can be purchased or made that allow for gardening with no bending.</p><p id="340d"><b>Mental/Emotional</b></p><p id="b2c9">Another benefit of gardening is the mental aspect. I must admit that since I retired I am much less stressed, but still very busy. A different busy. When I was still working I remember being mentally tired at the end of the day, since my job as a Workers Compensation Claims Examiner was demanding. After work, even though I felt tired, in my case it was mostly mental. Upon walking across the yard to my gardens I would immediately start to feel better. At that point, the task at hand was more physical and mentally relaxing. Physical activity helps you relax mentally, at least it does for me. Even if I only had time for an hour of gardening after work, I would feel so much better. Your entire focus shifts and allows you to think about something different, something fun. The worries of the day seem to disappear.</p><figure id="7948"><img src="https://cdn-images-1.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:800/1*[email protected]"><figcaption>Potato Planting Time/Author Photo</figcaption></figure><p id="7614"><b>Nutritional</b></p><p id="cf5c">If you are a vegetable gardener, an obvious benefit is growing what you want, how you want. You are in control of what types of plant food, pest control methods, etc. that are used. You know what you are eating. It is also very satisfying being able to grow your own vegetables.</p><p id="71c4">Nutritionally, the fresher the vegetables the better. No waiting weeks for shipping to a supermarket. By growing your own produce, you will get the maximum possible nutrition and also flavor.</p><p id="abde"><b>If you grow flowers, many benefits exist also.</b> The resulting flowers, perennial or annual, provide much satisfaction and of course, their mood-boosting ability is self-explanatory.</p><figure id="0fa2"><img src="https://cdn-images-1.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:800/0*GA3BEVgwdLmGr8jr.png"><figcaption></figcaption></figure><p id="1ee8">According to <a href="https://www.aarp.org/health/healthy-living/info-2017/health-benefits-of-gardening-fd.html">AARP</a>, here are 5 benefits of gardening:</p><ul><li>Exposure to Vitamin D</li><li>Decreased Dementia Risk</li><li>Mood Boosting Benefits</li><li>Enjoyable Aerobic Exercise</li><li>Helps Combat Loneliness</li></ul><figure id="cdf2"><img src="https://cdn-images-1.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:800/0*GA3BEVgwdLmGr8jr.png"><figcaption></figcaption></figure><p id="4be3"><b>Conclusions</b></p><p id="5bfd">Overall, with gardening, you can’t go wrong. The positives far outweigh any negatives. Whether you grow vegetables or flowers or both, I guarantee you you will feel better. If you have yet to try gardening, I encourage you to give it a try.</p><div id="c

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The Trusty Gardener-The Many Benefits of Gardening

Benefits Include Physical, Emotional, and Nutritional

Over the last few days, I have taken a little break from gardening, mainly because of the stretch of cold and rainy weather. I have continued to plant a few things, including green beans, cucumbers, and pumpkins. More stories to follow. While I make sure all danger of frost has passed before planting my tomato and pepper plants, I decided to reflect on the many benefits of gardening.

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As we all know, gardening has been a great pandemic activity, something to do while being outdoors and socially distanced. Many have discovered gardening during the pandemic. If you were one of them or already are a veteran gardener, the choice to garden is a good one.

Let's take a look at some of the benefits.

Physical

One major benefit of gardening is the physical activity and exercise. Importantly, it gets you outside in the fresh air and moving. No matter if you are a vegetable gardener or flower gardener, or both. Once you get started on establishing a garden, big or small, it is amazing how much activity it involves. There are so many activities involved with gardening including walking, planting, shoveling, hoeing, kneeling, watering, weeding, etc. Even container gardening on the patio will get you moving. You definitely will use a large variety of muscles that's for sure.

Gardening can help you maintain flexibility and mobility. Of course, be careful not to overdo.

Do you have mobility issues? I myself have back and knee issues, and will probably have to downsize my vegetable gardens at some point. Raised bed gardens offer an easier way to garden if needed. There are even taller planting boxes that can be purchased or made that allow for gardening with no bending.

Mental/Emotional

Another benefit of gardening is the mental aspect. I must admit that since I retired I am much less stressed, but still very busy. A different busy. When I was still working I remember being mentally tired at the end of the day, since my job as a Workers Compensation Claims Examiner was demanding. After work, even though I felt tired, in my case it was mostly mental. Upon walking across the yard to my gardens I would immediately start to feel better. At that point, the task at hand was more physical and mentally relaxing. Physical activity helps you relax mentally, at least it does for me. Even if I only had time for an hour of gardening after work, I would feel so much better. Your entire focus shifts and allows you to think about something different, something fun. The worries of the day seem to disappear.

Nutritional

If you are a vegetable gardener, an obvious benefit is growing what you want, how you want. You are in control of what types of plant food, pest control methods, etc. that are used. You know what you are eating. It is also very satisfying being able to grow your own vegetables.

Nutritionally, the fresher the vegetables the better. No waiting weeks for shipping to a supermarket. By growing your own produce, you will get the maximum possible nutrition and also flavor.

If you grow flowers, many benefits exist also. The resulting flowers, perennial or annual, provide much satisfaction and of course, their mood-boosting ability is self-explanatory.

According to AARP, here are 5 benefits of gardening:

Exposure to Vitamin D
Decreased Dementia Risk
Mood Boosting Benefits
Enjoyable Aerobic Exercise
Helps Combat Loneliness

Conclusions

Overall, with gardening, you can’t go wrong. The positives far outweigh any negatives. Whether you grow vegetables or flowers or both, I guarantee you you will feel better. If you have yet to try gardening, I encourage you to give it a try.