Much information is available on these topics but I'll just cover a few here.
Physical Benefits
(excerpts from http://web.extension.illinois.edu/champaign/homeowners/050103.html)
Gardening provides the regular physical exercise listed in the prevention of heart disease, obesity, adult-onset diabetes and high blood pressure. It also provides the strength training important in the prevention of osteoporosis. Put a gallon sprinkling can full of water in each hand and you got your 8 pound dumbbells. Finish off with lifting a wheelbarrow and you got your bicep workout.
As with any physical activity it's best to learn proper techniques so you don't hurt yourself. Check with your doctor if you have specific concerns.
Gardening requires you to use your head and your creativity. The time spent planning the garden and researching different plants is a great brain workout. Gardening gives us a chance to be creative. You can let your personality shine through in your garden.
Gardening connects you with people. It's like walking down the street with a new puppy. Everybody talks to a gardener. It's also a great activity to do with kids. Give them a section of the garden all their own. Some of the best lessons can be learned in the garden such as delayed gratification and don't leave a rake on the ground with the head pointing upwards.
Gardening connects you with nature and the rhythm of life. We all could use a lesson in slowing down. Studies have revealed just viewing a garden or nature has healthy psychological benefits.
Spiritual Benefits
The Garden is where God created His first beings and gave them everythung they needed - even the chiuce of . He created these beings to commune with him - but also gave them the free will to either obey or disobey. . . .and except for the disobedience they shared - then placed the blame on the other - we would ALL be enjoying it's beauty.
Only in the gardens do I feel the total peace and the warmth and richness of my friendship with God. Yes, not only is He my Great Advisor, He is my Best Friend. He leads me and He directs me; especially when we're alone in the gardens. That's when He speaks to me the loudest; both about my successes and shortcomings.
It's there that I'm able to think my own private thoughts and praise God for giving us such a beautiful earth in which to live. My parents (both long gone to the Great Garden in the Sky) are sometimes with me in my gardens . .we re-live old times and look forward to the times to come.
It's in the gardens that I feel most appreciative to God for allowing me life with true, dedicated Christians; Christians that taught me and my sisters that if "God isn't in it - it isn't worth it."
I'm sure you'll remember that in Genesis, God sanctioned marriage as His first institution; and He sanctioned gardening as the first profession; therefore, He must have a tremendous respect for both.
He commissioned Adam to maintain the beautiful Garden of Eden and gave him Eve as a helpmate. Does that make Adam head of the household and caretaker of our needs? I think it does . . . but us females are NOT exonerated of any responsibility. If we refuse to accept our responsibilities, then our "Adams" are hindered from excellence in theirs.
Psychological Benefits
Have you ever wondered why gardeners appear to be some of the happiest people that you encounter in life? Science is beginning to realize that common dirt contains the same chemical (Mycobacterium vaccae)that is found in Zoloft, Zanex, and many other anti-depressants.
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,265302,00.html
http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/214234/why_gardening_can_help_with_depression.html
http://discovermagazine.com/2007/jul/raw-data-is-dirt-the-new-prozac
I guess this explains why I'm so happy when I come out of the gardens and no matter how physically tired I am, I always look forward to my next trip out.
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