Rake in the Benefits of Gardening
Rake in the Benefits of Gardening
by Kelly Haugen
Spring is here, and gardening is a great way to not only connect with nature, but to take advantage of the health benefits you can rake in as well.
Gardening can help you peel off the pounds:
Raking and planting burn approximately 324 calories per hour.
Pushing the lawn mower (yes, pushing, not riding), weeding and trimming bushes can burn up to 364 calories per hour.
Digging, spading and tilling are more strenuous and can burn approximately 404 calories per hour.
Important Tips:
Drink plenty of water to keep from dehydrating. If you do not, then you may end up looking like the plants in your garden after a dry spell.
Use your knees, not your back, when lifting and bending. When on the ground, use a cushion to protect you knees.
Listen to you muscles, most importantly, the muscles in your back, knees, hands and wrists. These are the muscles you will use most during gardening.
But did you know that gardening is also good for the mind; it is both calming and stimulating, and helps to relieve tension. You should always choose to garden in the early morning or the late afternoon. I tend to choose late afternoon since, by that point, I am sure to be stressed out over something and can use the garden to 'weed' it away.
What, you have no time to garden? Or, you have time, but no space to do it. Then try Watkins Fruit/Veggie Complex (item number 02268). It contains 41 varieties of fruits & vegetables, all-natural mixed carotenes, vitamin C equal to 4 glasses of juice and potent fruit enzymes equal to ten glasses of juice and without sugars and sodium.
About The Author: Kelly Haugen is the mother of two terrific boys and is the webmaster for
the following sites:
http://Enchantedcorner.com, http://Allmomscorner.com, http://Wolfrunnersilver.com, and, htttp//Direct2uvideo.com
This article is copyright 2004, All Mom's Corner
You should plan to spend a minimum of 30 minutes in the garden and vary your activities as you work.
When working outside you should wear a hat, gardening gloves and sunscreen. Remember that you are trying to become healthier by exercising, as well as benefiting by enjoying the 'fruits' of your labors. You do not want to increase the signs of aging in the process.
Use Gardening for stress relief:
Gardeners tend to be a healthy bunch. They have strength and endurance, strong bones and muscles, lower body fat, lower blood pressure and healthy hearts.
And remember to protect your green thumb and the rest of your hands by using Watkins all-natural Old Red Barn Salve (item number 02333) after gardening. With natural plant oils and vitamin E, it will soothe and protect your hands, and keep you feeling more like a gladiola and less like a pansy.
Both can be found at http://watkinsonline.com/enchantedcorner