Did you know that gardening can actually improve your health?
According to a new study released by the Environmental Health Perspectives, women who surround themselves with more greenery tend to live longer. You can bet that I’ll be putting a fern on my bedside table!
More than 100,000 U.S. women (108,630 to be exact) participated in this study and were observed from 2000 to 2008, charting mortality rates and their relation to seasonal greenery via satellite imaging around their home address. Their study ultimately showed that women who have a higher exposure to greenery and vegetation also have a 12% lower non-accidental mortality rate.
So why exactly is this?
The data suggests that women who surround themselves with more greenery tend to have more opportunities for physical exercise, such as tending to a garden or perhaps just enjoying the outdoors by going on a walk. Additionally, the obvious reasons are that women who have a high exposure to nature also have a lower exposure to pollution and chemicals associated with city-living.
This study also implies that gardening can be helpful for mental health in that it can increase our sense of social involvement and community by cultivating something helpful to the environment, as well as something aesthetically stimulating. Basically, we like to garden because we like helping the environment and take care of pretty plants!
Here are a few tips on how you can enjoy your garden to the fullest.
Make a space just for you.
You deserve a place where you can relax, read a book, and just drink some tea. Try incorporating colors and patterns that you like, regardless of how they fit in with the rest of your backyard. Sometimes you just need a little you-time – trust me, you’ve earned it!
Don’t fight your climate.
If you spend all of your time trying to get tropical plants to grow in a desert, you’re going to be met with your fair share of stress and upset. Try going with the seasonal flow and choosing plants that are easy to maintain and brighten up your space.
No garden is perfect!
It’s important t remember that Mother Nature often has a mind of her own. Don’t sweat the small stuff! Plants are going to grow naturally and how they feel most comfortable – so what if your ivy doesn’t want to grow on one part of your trellis? Take a deep breath and let your garden flourish on its own.
Let us know in the comments about how gardening has improved your life!
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