Mayo Clinic News Network Headline Gardening 6/12/2015

To a gardener, there’s nothing better than digging your hands in potting soil or pulling weeds from a planter.
“Gardening is a complete exercise for body, mind and spirit.”
The truth is, gardening is really good for you.
“There’s something called biofeelia. Whenever we are in nature, we get relaxed and we develop a positive mode. So people who garden regularly have a lower risk of depression, less stress, have less anxiety, they are calmer and hey may even have less risk of dementia. So they’re generally happier.”
Mayo Clinic Dr. Amit Sood says in addition to being good for your mental well being, gardening is also good for your body. In fact, researchers in Stockholm found for people over age 60, gardening can cut the risk of heart attack or strike by 30-percent. And gardening might also help you make healthier food choices, because you’re growing your own fresh fruits and veggies.
“What studies have shown is if you garden for 30 minutes to an hour a day, it’s like doing moderate intensity activity. It decreases your risk of hypertension, heart attack, stroke, a few cancers, osteoporosis.”

So go ahead. Dig in for better health. With today’s Mayo Clinic News Network Headline, I’m Vivien Williams