May 3, 2020
GROWING GOOD HEALTH
Research has found that gardeners live 14 years longer than average. I have know people who have gardened all their lives and lived into their 90s. As well as their physical abilities, their social and mental powers remained undiminished.
There could be many reasons for this but when explorer Dan Buettner teamed up with National Geographic to research longevity he found five blue zones in the world where 10 times as many people reach the age of 100. A common factor was lifelong physical activity and a plant based, largely locally grown diet.
In Okinawa, Japan almost all centenarians grow a garden. It is a source of daily physical activity for the body and helps reduce stress..
It is also a near constant source of fresh vegetables.
On the Greek Island of Ikaria, one in three people live to their late nineties.
They traditionally live in a mountainous terrain and have farming jobs which keeps them active throughout life and grow their own produce..
Gardening will give you so much joy and safe you thousands of dollars in gym fees, but its not just the exercise that contributes to good health. Gardeners tend to eat more fruit and vegetables and because the produce is consumed within minutes of picking the vitamin and mineral content is not diminished.
Deficiencies of vitamins and minerals can lead to serious health problems, but good levels can keep your hair shining, your eyes sparkling and your skin glowing.
There is extensive evidence for the value of spending time in your garden and natural surroundings particularly for over coming depression and anxiety.
So when you come out of level two and before you head to the gym to counter the effects of sitting at your desk all day, or to a shopping centre to find something to fill a space in your life, or reach for a glass of wine to relief the stress. Try stepping out into your own back yard and plant a vegetable garden which will benefit all your family.
Go for a walk on the hills with your children and get back into nature. Remember the free things in life are truly the best.