Community Gardening - The Healthy and Fun Way!

Getting your hands dirty as a kid is fun, but it can also makes you happy and healthy while promoting a cleaner and more beautiful neighborhood, according to a new study.

Jill Litt, author and associate professor at the University of Colorado School of Public Health and University of Colorado Boulder has shown that places such as community gardens matter in terms of neighborhood quality and people's health.

Gardening and Horticultural Therapy for the Young and the Old
Art of gardening can improve socializing and cognitive skills in children and elderly. As a therapy it benefits all, be it able or disabled, young or old.

"Community gardens may provide a way to enhance neighborhood environments while also promoting health and well being through economic, social and physical changes," said Litt.

"Gardens yield fresh food, bring 'nature' to urban areas, bridge ethnically, economically and age diverse communities, promote neighborhood beauty, build skills and knowledge of everyday life, strengthen community capacity and one's sense of community, and promote active and healthy lifestyles" he added.

Litt found that community gardeners cultivate relationships with their neighbors, are more involved in civic activities, stay longer in their neighborhoods, eat better and view their health more positively.

Roots of Emotional and Physical Health Revealed by New Research on Community Gardening
Remember how good it felt to make mud pies as a kid and to get your hands in the dirt, to run through the sprinkler, and get pollen from a sweet-smelling flower on your nose?

In fact, 20 minutes of gardening a day translated to statistically higher ratings of health.

Moreover, people who garden found their neighborhoods to be safer, cleaner and more beautiful, regardless of educational and income status.

Gardening can Do Wonders
Carrying out a hobby like gardening has immense benefits. Watering the garden can bring extreme joy, an expert has said.

Source-ANI

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