Obesity is a rising issue today which can have a major impact on your wellbeing. Anything and everything seems to be contributing to the obesity epidemic; fizzy drinks, good fat, bad fat, salt, calories. The question is; can we actually do anything to fight obesity? And, if so, is there a complementary wellness method at your disposal?
Gardening is a solution that may help remedy, if not all, then at least some of the problem. Firstly, pottering about in the garden is actually excellent exercise, especially if the idea of going for a jog or hitting the gym has you reaching for your comfort blanket and a doughnut. It has long been proven that getting out and about in the garden is good for your health, having a significant impact on your physical, mental and emotional wellbeing. When you’re gardening, you’re giving your respiratory and cardiovascular systems a workout, which improves your endurance, flexibility and strength.
Even better than this is that gardening can help prevent problems such as diabetes, heart disease and osteoporosis. The endorphins that get released through getting physical in your green space can help to alleviate stress, and studies have shown that just spending time in the relaxing and tranquil surroundings of a garden reduces your blood pressure. Gardening can also help foster a good night’s sleep, which is essential for weight loss.
However, gardening doesn’t only get you moving about, it also encourages you to eat more healthily. If you’re going to the effort of growing your own fruits and vegetables, surely it makes sense that you’ll want to, literally, the fruits of your labours. This is a great way to get your kids interested in healthy eating too, as gardening gives children a natural link between a form of self-sufficiency and good, nutritional produce.
Finally, there is a social element to gardening which can help to reduce obesity. If you suffer from weight problems, it may be because you find yourself feeling depressed or lonely, and these feelings cause you to overindulge. However, you can join local gardening groups which encourage interaction and socialising with others, and this, in turn, helps you to feel a sense of belonging and personal achievement.
How to Weed Out Those Weight Problems with Gardening
