Gardening as a hobby, what could be better?
Having a Hobby
Having a hobby of any kind is beneficial to health. There
are probably a few exceptions, like smoking a pipe, but these are generally few
and far between and classed as “Bad habits” more than hobbies. Having a hobby is perfect for reducing stress
and allowing yourself to have time to pursue your own interests; some people
actually turn them into money making ventures.
We’re all different and have a
multitude of ideas when it comes to passing the time constructively. Thankfully
I found a hobby that I love, gets me out into the fresh air, exercise and on a
yearly basis doesn’t really cost a lot of money, in fact it saves me money.
Gardening.
Not having a hobby can actually lower your happiness levels.
Research from the Gardener’s World magazine found that more than 90 per cent of
gardeners think it improves their mood. It also found that gardeners are less
likely to display signs associated with unhappiness or depression.
Recent Survey
The poll of 1,500 adults found that 80 per cent of gardeners
feel satisfied with their lives compared with 67 per cent of non-gardeners. Gardeners’
World editor Lucy Hall said: ‘We have long suspected it, but our research means
we can definitely say gardening makes you happy.’
‘Part of it comes from nurturing something but also a
natural optimism that no matter how bad the weather, there’s always next year.
It’s also about passing the seed of knowledge and the pleasure that gives.’
Overall, outdoor pursuits appear to bring the most happiness
– 78 per cent of walkers are satisfied with their lives, as are 75 per cent of
those who fish, according to the survey.
Keeping busy with any pastime, though, is important – of
those with no hobbies, only 55 per cent were satisfied with their lives.
Green Exercise.
Green Exercise, or enjoying
the benefits for the big outdoors is said to help mental health, this could be
gardening but it also includes walking, sailing, tennis or anything else that’s
done out of doors. Gardening especially provides a dose of nature as it can be
done at any time of the year.
Professor of environment and society at the University of
Essex, Jules Pretty, said: ‘Active living is more likely to be effective if
physical activity becomes an inevitable part of life rather than a matter of
daily choice. This could have significant long term impacts both on individual
health and costs of health services.’
According to the research, gardening is
known to have therapeutic effects on our stressed nerves. It helps us wind
down. And that particular feeling, of having created something, is a powerful
elixir that can take us a long way towards feeling happy, relaxed and totally
de-stressed.
Things in the garden
that made me happy this week
Getting physical.
I have enjoyed being out in the garden and being physical. There’s no need for
me to go to a gym or do anything too strenuous. It helps keep me in a good mood
and helps me sleep a lot better.
The Hounds of Love.
I enjoy having the dogs with me when I am working. They cause more jobs of
course as they rummage around for the ball in the vegetable patch but it’s so
much fun to watch them I don’t mind.
Just taking time out.
The garden is ever changing and being able to take time out just to enjoy the
smells, sounds and colours is something that I am always grateful for.
New crops. Planting
up new salad crops this week has given me the satisfaction to know that we will
be eating fresh lettuce until well into the autumn.
Continual Harvesting.
Harvesting the runner beans and tomatoes has been really enjoyable this week. Being
able to pluck fresh vegetables and fruits from your garden is liberating. And
of course, all the organic food will prove to be extremely beneficial,
healthier and also tastier.
Added Vitamins. I’ve
not been short of vitamin D this year and this week was no exception. The
sunlight feels great on my bald patch (one of the advantages of hair loss)
Sweeping up. Even mundane jobs like getting the brush out
to sweep up some early autumn leaves is a joy! And let’s not forget just sitting and drinking
tea in the garden. I am easily pleased.
