From warding off dementia to eating healthy, growing your own garden offers a surprising array of benefits for your body and mind.
Time in the garden can benefit you in the following ways:
Reduce your risk of injury in the garden with these tips from experts at Emerson’s Clough Family Center for Rehabilitative and Sports Therapies.
When weeding and planting, you spend a lot of time bending, which can tighten your muscles. Stretch them out before you stop for the day to reduce your risk of pain and injury.
Half-kneeling hip flexor stretch — Kneel to the ground on one knee. Tighten your abdominals and gently lunge forward until you feel a stretch in the front of your hip. Repeat on the other side.
Pectoral shoulder stretch — Stand in a doorway with hands outstretched to the sides in the shape of a T, with palms resting on the wall or door frame. Gently lean forward until you feel stretching across the top of your chest/front of shoulders.