Why should you start gardening after 50?
Finding things that are both mentally and physically engaging becomes more and more necessary as we grow older. I am sure that you probably heard good things about yoga, power walking, or any other physical workout, but you’re not sure which one fits or if you’re able to do them. So what do you say about gardening?
Due to its many benefits, gardening can quickly adapt to meet the needs and abilities of all skill levels, making it an ideal activity for seniors who love nature and want to bring a piece of it into their homes. Here are several medically supported reasons to start gardening after 50, along with some of its advantages, that we hope will motivate you even more.
Immunity boost and a full scoop of vitamin D
One of the best reasons to start gardening after 50 is that you will improve your health, boost your immunity, and soak up the sun. Since vitamin D is crucial for our immunity and the sun is the best source of it, individuals who spend more time gardening outside are more likely to get sufficient vitamin D compared to those who don’t.
Gardening becomes a means to a better and happier old life with that in mind, instead of being just another random hobby. You start nurturing your well-being in the same way that you are nurturing your plants when you work in the garden.
But of course, remember to take things slowly, and during the warm season have a balanced schedule for gardening, and of course use SPF creams and lotions to protect your skin from sunburn.
Gardening is a great stress reliever
These days everybody is dealing with something that brings them constant stress. In a world full of people who are running to their jobs, spending tons of time with their phones in their hands randomly scrolling or watching a flood of bad news on the television, you have to be different. And losing yourself to a great hobby like gardening will help you detach from your day-to-day life more pleasantly.
According to various studies, seniors over 50 who started gardening after 50 say they sleep better, are less stressed than usual, and they also feel better about themselves. Due to the relaxing effects of working with your hands and being in nature, gardening is highly therapeutic. It can give you peace of mind and help with mental clarity. You may learn to enjoy the present more, slowly pushing your anxiety as far away as possible and focusing on your plants.
Keeping yourself active throughout the day
Of all the reasons to start gardening after 50, this one stands out as being one of the significant health benefits. Light activities, such as moving potted plants, tilling soil, pruning, and raking leaves, help strengthen the heart and the body as a whole.
In addition to lowering blood pressure, this kind of exercise strengthens the immune system and helps prevent cardiovascular disease, both of which are significant concerns as people age. As a low-intensity physical exercise, gardening can help strengthen bones by lowering the risk of osteoporosis and increasing bone density.
If you think that gardening might be a hard task to accomplish, especially if you suffer from lower back pain, I have good news for you! You can opt for raised garden tools manufactured for seniors that will minimize the need for bending but still get the most out of gardening. For elders who wish to enjoy gardening to the fullest but have limited mobility, raised beds are also an excellent option.
Are you looking for some tools that will make your gardening hobby easier and more pleasant? Look no further! I made a quick search on Amazon for you, and guess what? I found this foldable garden stool that will make the kneeling experience more comfortable. It also comes with two large tool bags with four generous pockets to keep all the gardening tools organized. It can also be used as a chair when planting. It is available at the moment of speaking at $35.97.
Enjoying fresh and tasty produce
Eating the fruits and vegetables you planted with your own hands instead of paying a fortune for them at the store, especially if you’re on a tight budget, is another advantage of gardening. All that organic and fresh produce sold in supermarkets for a lot of money can be yours, and trust me when I say the satisfaction of it will be HUGE!
Plus, it will be a great opportunity to start a nutritious diet based on healthy foods, essential for everyone in old age.
Provides a new sense of purpose
Getting older is not easy, and it comes with a ton of things that nobody likes to talk about. And one of them is losing the purpose of life. Retirement is approaching, kids leave home, and keeping in touch with old friends and relatives is not always easy. Unfortunately, all these things can lead to feelings of loneliness. Many seniors feel like nobody needs them anymore, and this is one of the reasons to start gardening after 50.
Taking care of a live, breathing “thing,” for instance, might make elders feel happier. Although taking care of plants is not the same as taking care of people, witnessing plants flourish may make us feel proud and responsible. In addition to being incredibly fulfilling, caring for plants and seeing them flourish may also make someone feel needed.
Helps you be more social
With the risk of repeating myself, seniors must maintain an active social life. This applies mostly to those who are widowed, no longer have a daily job, or whose friends live outside town. Thankfully, this is another gardening benefit; it helps people stay connected with others.
You will spend more time outdoors, and if you live in a neighborhood with people with the same interests, you can engage in conversations about plants, give and receive useful advice, or even exchange gardening tools.
Reduces the risk of dementia
Doctors state that gardening can help lower the chance of dementia, a terrible illness that is affecting an increasing number of older citizens in America. A little garden that has to be kept up, along with a regular watering schedule, trimming, and seasonal seed purchases, are all excellent ways to keep yourself occupied while doing something you like.
Take away:
Have you ever thought that a simple hobby can bring so many benefits? Gardening can be so fulfilling and relaxing and help seniors enjoy their lives more. A little bit of sun, physical movement, and a basket full of fresh produce at the end of the season are just some of the best perks of growing and taking care of a garden, both indoors and outdoors.
I hope this article brought a smile to your face and made you more confident about starting a new hobby. Until next time, you nice green thumbers!
Do you want to start gardening but don’t own an actual garden? No worries, because you can also have a tiny indoor garden to fill your heart with joy. Check out this related article for more insight regarding this topic 10 Delicious Must-Have Vegetables for Your Indoor Garden.
