Gardening provides steady, gentle loading to improve bone and joint strength.
We use many different joints and muscles during gardening activity and these require steady but moderate exercise to maintain strength, dexterity and flexibility.
Vitamin D
Human beings are walking solar panels. We require sunlight to manufacture vitamin D which plays a vital role in bone formation and strength.
As we age, bones become softer and less dense. This can lead to conditions such as Osteoporosis, especially in women after the menopause.
Children who do not get enough sunlight can develop vitamin D depletion problems such as Rickets.
Whilst we all need exposure to the sun for about 15 minutes a day, we do have to be mindful to avoid sunburn. People living in the Northern hemisphere get very little sunlight exposure and often require Vitamin D3 supplementation in the colder months.
This is not a licence to go out and sunbathe though. Just gardening with your sleeves rolled up or in shorts for 10 – 15 minutes a day is much safer.
Use it or lose it
Our muscles and joints require regular and gentle loading to maintain strength and flexibility.
Gardening provides moderate activity, utilising many different joint and muscles.
“But….”I hear you cry! “I always ache after being in the garden or people injure themselves when lifting or reaching”.
Just like being in the gym, gardening can make our muscles and joints ache and this is perfectly normal for 24 – 48 hours. However, too much can lead to strains and inflammation, so alternate tasks, garden safely and do not overdo it.
Gardening For Health Talks
Talks via Zoom covering the health benefits of gardening.