Welcome to the sunny weather – this means it’s gardening time! The benefits of gardening are often understated but it can be a meaningful activity for your loved ones, whether they are looking for something to curb boredom or an activity to bring them meaning and purpose. Read on for some insights into the benefits of gardening.
Health Benefit No. 1: Stress Relief
One of the main benefits of gardening is that it relieves stress. Research has shown that gardening can decrease cortisol levels and hence mitigate stress and lower blood pressure. Gardening can bring about a peaceful mood to your loved ones while they are working hard on growing and tending to their favorite plants.
In addition, gardening brings your loved ones outdoor and promotes exposure to the sun, helping them to relax and lower anxiety. Being outdoors is always helpful for mental health, as compared to being cooped up at home and not doing anything meaningful. Another benefit of gardening is that it mitigates the symptoms of depression by increasing the level of serotonin. This promotes an overall feeling of happiness and peace, ultimately cultivating a general sense of well-being in your loved ones.
Health Benefit No. 2: Better Mental Health
Another benefit of gardening is that it promotes mental health. This is crucial as your aging loved ones can be highly susceptible to certain mental conditions, such as dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. With age, brain deterioration is highly inevitable and this usually leads to an onset of cognitive conditions. Gardening can help your loved ones engage their mental functions as it requires the use of critical faculties, such as problem-solving techniques and so on.
Health Benefit No. 3: Opportunity To Socialize
The next benefit of gardening is that it promotes socializing opportunities for your loved ones. As gardening is something that can be done in pairs, your loved ones will be able to bond with other people. This is helpful as gardening enables your loved ones to go out and enjoy the sun with their friends and family. This prevents any kind of isolation that may happen as they may not want to go out and socialize, choosing instead to stay at home by themselves.
Health Benefit No. 4: Greater Mobility
Gardening also has great physical benefits! It promotes greater mobility for your loved ones as it encourages better dexterity and movement. As your loved ones may struggle to engage in strenuous exercise, gardening provides a safer and better alternative to improve their mobility. Better dexterity and movement is helpful as it lowers the incidence of falls, which is highly common in older adults.
Let Spring Mill Care for Your Loved Ones
At Spring Mill By Discovery Senior Living, an on-site activities director works to ensure your loved ones never have to go by a day feeling bored. They will be able to enjoy an active lifestyle through various activities and amenities we offer and rediscover their independence, confidence, and self-esteem! Contact us to find out more about how we can care for your loved ones in their golden years!
