West Coast Hydro - Hydroponic Supplies

Mention the word "fitness" to most people and they immediately think of the of the gym. But spending hours pumping iron may not hold much appeal. So the good news is that the gym may be much closer to home than you think --- in your very own garden! Indoor or outdoor, you can reap almost the same health benefits from gardening as you would from a workout in the gym and it isn't just your body that gets healthier after gardening. Your mind and emotions can also improve.

Gardening, like other forms of moderate exercise, will help lower your blood pressure and cholesterol levels if you do it for around 30 minutes per day. Exercise such as gardening has even been found to help prevent type II diabetes, heart disease and strokes. Dr Mark Harries from the Royal College of Physicians confirms that gardening has positive physical effects "Physical activity is always useful for the body. If it's something you enjoy -- like gardening -- then it's better. It means that your exercise is not just a chore."

Here are a few of the benefits of gardening. The power of light from the sun or man made helps the body to make vitamin D, which is essential for healthy bones and may slow the progression of osteoporosis. Positive powers of sunlight also work on the mind. Gardening takes you on a unique journey of discovery. It gives you an opportunity to exercise your mind and your hands and here's always something new to learn from your garden. Learning new skills is a sure-fire way to keep the brain alert.

Researchers at University of Florida have found that just walking thought a beautiful sensory garden, lowers peoples stress levels. The sensory garden is thought to have the same effects on the mind as art therapy. But it isn't just doing some gardening that reduces the stress. Soaking up the colors, sounds and smells of your garden and taking the time to appreciate the peace and tranquillity it offers will also help to remove tension. Gardening is definitely good for your mind, body and spirit, and can help build self-esteem, so make gardening part of your life for a healthy life and healthy food.