Gear Up for Gardening

 

 

When it comes to staying safe when gardening, having the right clothing is just as important as having the right tools. With the right clothes you’ll not only stay comfortable but will be protected from minor injuries and mishaps too.

So before you start any garden project, whether large or small, take a moment to think about what you are wearing. Here are some clothing items you might want to invest in:

 

Hat
A good hat is a gardener’s friend. It will keep you warm in winter and protect you from sunburn during warmer months. Choose a hat that provides good protection without obstructing your view. You might want to avoid very large brims or tassels which could get caught on twigs and branches. When undertaking larger structural jobs in the garden, it’s wise to invest in a hardhat to protect you from falling debris.

 

Gloves
Whether you are weeding, digging or pruning, a pair of gardening gloves will protect your hands not only from the elements but from scratches and scrapes as well. And when handling plants, gloves will protect you from insect bites as well as the irritation and rashes that some plants can cause. It’s a good idea to have two pairs of gardening gloves – a thicker pair for heavy duty work and a thinner pair for when you need to be more nimble fingered – such as when handling seedlings.

 

Trousers
Trousers take a lot of wear and tear when gardening so you won’t want to wear your best pair when gardening. Good gardening trousers are made from material that is easy to move around in but that also dries quickly if it gets wet. You might want to add knee protectors if you spend a lot of time kneeling in the garden. And if the weather is particularly wet, you could also wear waterproofs over the top of your trousers to keep the moisture away from your skin.

 

Layers
It’s easy to get overheated when gardening. Even on a cool day you can soon build up a sweat once you get to work. It’s therefore a good idea to wear layers when gardening so that you can add or remove a layer as you get hotter or colder. You’ll find lightweight base layers in walking and outdoor shops which are specifically designed to move sweat away from your skin, keeping you comfortable.

 

Footwear
Think carefully about footwear, even if you are only planning to do some light gardening. Every year people sustain foot injuries caused by garden tools because they weren’t wearing the correct footwear. The ideal gardening shoes are robust, waterproof and breathable and will keep sweaty, soggy feet at bay.

Keep your gardening clothes clean and dry in between gardening sessions and your gear will serve you well for many years to come.

 

For more garden advice, visit: www.bbc.co.uk/gardening

 

Categories: garden, gardening, gardening gloves, gardening nbsp, nbsp, pair, Protect

Escape Modern Life: Take a Visit to Mother Nature!

Is it just me, or does modern life make you feel like you should be doing more? With all the stresses, electronic connectivity and seemingly relentless pace, you can end up speeding through life without taking the time you need to look after your wellbeing. However, environmental wellness can help you get back home and to the present moment. All you need is one thing; nature.

 

According to Jessica Rhodes, a certified wellness advisor for the 123 Feel Better Company, ‘Most of us believe that growing up means we must exchange the natural explorations of childhood for the pursuits of adulthood, such as working and setting up our own homes, as our parents did. However, exploring and appreciating the natural environment is a wonderful way to combat stress and anxiety and connect us to the world we live in. Time in nature actually helps us to handle the stress of modern life more effectively.’ As author and professor Dr. Maria Jaoudi puts it, ‘There is indeed irony in the fact that we have to learn all over again how to enjoy those things that children seem to have such a spontaneous relationship with: dirt, grass, dandelions, cats and dogs. So, it seems, that to heal the child within, we must return to the garden.’

 

So how can you connect back to nature, without eliminating everything on your busy schedule?

 

1. Go for a walk: Rhodes asserts, ‘One of the easiest and best ways to reconnect with nature is to go for walks in your neighbourhood. Simply walk to a local store, or just go for a walk with no destination our route in mind. You’ll find yourself noticing things you normally wouldn’t from the inside of a car. Pay attention to the sights, sounds and smells around you. Is it windy, warm, chilly, sunny or overcast? Do you hear birds, dogs, children, cars, lawnmowers or frogs? Tune in to your surroundings and allow yourself to experience what is happening in the moment.’

 

2. Have lunch outside: When going for a walk in your local park, spend some time there and have lunch. ‘Take a picnic and a friend, or just brown-bag it one day on your lunch break from work,’ Rhodes enthuses. ‘You can take a book and lounge under a tree, reading, or you can simply lie on the ground and stare up at the clouds. The activity you choose isn’t important. Just find something you already like to do, and do it outdoors.’

 

3. Take care of your world: ‘Another way of appreciating nature is having reverence for it,’ Rhodes points out. ‘Don’t litter. If you’re out on a walk and you see a Styrofoam cup or paper bag, pick it up and toss it away. In fact, why not carry a small plastic bag in your pocket when you’re out for a stroll, just in case? You’ll feel good knowing you’re helping to keep your neighbourhood clean, and you’ll probably end up setting an example for others in the area. There’s no need to be excessively vigilant about this, but every little bit helps.’

 

4. Bring nature to you: Rhodes advises, ‘Gardening, planting flowers and filling your home with plants is an easy way to commune with nature. Nature is made up of all living things, including us, so having plants and animals in your home will bring that outdoor feeling inside. Another way to bring nature home is to buy all-natural, eco-friendly organic foods and products. Add some raw fruits and vegetables to your diet, and focus on purchasing cosmetic, skincare and housecleaning products that are good for the environment as well as your health. This will help you feel that your home is in tune with nature and full of life.’

Categories: bring nature, gardening, Home, modern life, nature, nbsp, rhodes, walk, Walking

No Time for Exercise in Your Daily Routine? Get Creative!

Yes, you want to lose weight and look out for your wellbeing, but who has the time? Between work, family and having some sort of a social life, getting to the gym is a near-impossible addition to your hectic calendar (not to mention being too expensive and unappealing for most of us!). However, there are – thank God – loads of creative ways you can lose calories without setting foot inside a sweaty gym.

 

1. Laughing it off – According to researchers from Vanderbilt University Medical Centre, ‘Ten to 15 minutes of laughter could increase energy expenditure by 10 to 40 calories per day, which could translate into about four pounds a year.’

 

2. Workplace walks – Not only can a stroll around the office be the perfect break when you’re having a stressful day, but wandering for 10 minutes at a slow pace can burn 40 calories. You can also burn more by buying your lunch off site – so you have to walk further to get it – or taking the stairs more and parking further away from the office.

 

3. Calorie chores – Vacuuming for 20-25 minutes gives your upper body a good workout, to the tune of burning 70 calories. 20 minutes of sweeping can get rid of another 80 calories, while you can also get that blood pumping by dusting or scrubbing the tub. If you’re doing laundry, carrying loads up and down the stairs can provide an extra calorie-burning opportunity, especially if you have to take them to your local Laundromat.

 

4. The great outdoors – Developing your green fingers will also help you to tone your shoulders and upper arms. 20 minutes of raking or general gardening will help to burn 80 calories, but if you really want to burn it off, crack out the lawn mower; 45 minutes will help you lose 200 calories.

 

5. Parenting tips – If your kids are getting in the way of your exercise regime, make them part of it! The Centres for Disease Control and Prevention recommends ‘at least 150 minutes per week of moderate-intensity aerobic activity, such as brisk walking, during and after pregnancy,’ so grab the buggy and take baby out for a stroll. Plus, walking your kids to school will help to teach them to be healthy while you all burn calories together.

Categories: burn, calories, chores, gardening, Lose, minutes, nbsp, Weight Loss