Skip to main content

Featured Activity of the Month: Gardening

In case you haven’t noticed, society as a whole is busier than ever. Myriads of articles are published on a daily basis about how Americans are stressed out and need to take time to slow down, unplug, and appreciate the little things. Studies show that getting outside and enjoying nature is therapeutic, and helps you to reset and reboot. Gardening is a great outdoor activity that everyone should give a try! Gardening has a therapeutic quality that can decrease stress, increase physical activity, and improve mental health. Need a little more convincing to get out and get your hands dirty? Check out the known physical and mental health benefits of gardening.
·      Stress Relief – we live in a society that is requiring directed attention to technology. This capacity gets used up and we become irritable, error-prone, distracted, and stressed out. However, this type of fatigue is reversible. When outdoors the rhythms of a natural environment and soothing nature of gardening tasks are sources of effortless attention.
·      Better mental health – gardening can even improve the symptoms of depression! A study conducted in Norway focused on individuals diagnosed with depression and persistent low-mood spent 6 hours a week gardening. After 3 months, half of the participants had experienced a measureable improvement in their depression symptoms.
·      Exercise – gardening gets you outdoors to enjoy the fresh air and sunshine! Gardening is not the same as going to the gym; however, digging, planting, weeding, and other repetitive tasks that require strength or stretching are excellent forms of low-impact exercise. Gardening is a great activity for those who find vigorous physical activity to be difficult. Those who are older and may have developed disabilities, or suffer from chronic pain may find gardening very enjoyable.
·      Brain health – there are some studies and research that suggest physical activity associated with gardening can help lower the risk of developing dementia. If individuals have already started to experience mental decline, gardening can be therapeutic.
·      Nutrition – the food that you grow yourself can be the freshest food you eat! In general, people who make an effort to grow their own food are making a conscious decision to be healthier. Children that garden, or are raised by parents who garden are more likely to eat more fruits and vegetables and are more adventurous with the foods they eat.

 If you would like to give gardening a try, register to be a part of the Community Garden at Nesmith Park! Registration cost is $75. This includes a garden plot, gardening classes, and weekly work sessions on Tuesday evenings at 6pm. 




Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

8 Reasons Your Child should Play CP&R Baseball, Softball, or T-ball

Ball season is just around the coroner, which means fun nights at the ball park with families, friends, and your favorite fold-out lawn chair. It also means that kids are gearing up for the most fun, competitive time of year for them on the diamonds making new friends, learning new skills, and enjoying the crisp spring air outside. So what is so special about CP&R's baseball, softball, and t-ball programs that set it apart from anyone else's? Here are eight reasons your family will have a BLAST with us this spring at CP&R. 8. Facilities. CP&R features some of the most award wining facilities in the counrty at Heritage Park and the Field of Miracles. In fact, in 2013, Heritage Park and the Field of Miracles complex were recognized nationally by the United States Specialty Sports Association as the number one complex of the year amongst large and small cities alike all across America. The parks both feature state of the art fields that ar...
4 comments
Read more

28 Things to Do in Cullman

Nothing to Do in Cullman? So many times we hear the old adage that there is simply NOTHING to do in Cullman. Despite these rumors, there are in fact endless possibilities for things to do in Cullman, and we at CP&R alone offer hundreds of programs, activities, and events as well as dozens of spaces that offer plenty to do in the Cullman community. Let’s look at what there really IS to do in Cullman! 1. Take your dog to the dog park at Heritage Park The dog park is a great outing for you and your dog and you will both surely enjoy meeting some new friends and the fresh air. 2. Go for a hike at Hurricane Creek Park Featuring over 4 miles of hiking trails through the most pristine and gorgeous wilderness in Cullman County, the park also features favorites like Twilight Tunnel and Heaven’s Staircase 3. Take a fitness class at the Cullman Wellness & Aquatic Center Take your pick with over 60 classes offered each week including target, spin, yoga, cardio party, Zum...
1 comment
Read more

Featured Activity of the Month: Indoor Cycling

Indoor cycling classes are one of the best ways to engage in heart healthy cardiovascular exercise. Over time, continuous cardiovascular exercise can help lower the risk of coronary artery disease, lower blood pressure, lower LDL cholesterol, and lower overall resting heart rate. Another positive impact on health is the release of endorphins, which are the happiness inducing neurotransmitters that Elle Woods is so fond of in Legally Blonde . Endorphins can also enhance immune response and lower stress levels. Who doesn’t want that?             Indoor cycling can also increase muscle endurance and muscle strength in the lower body. Repeatedly exerting force on muscles can lead to increased muscular endurance. Cycling significantly impacts strength of quadriceps, hamstrings, glutes, and calf muscles. Use of these muscles help to strengthen the surrounding bones, tendons, and ligaments. In order to maintain optimum health, the Ame...
Post a Comment
Read more