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Yes, You Should Start a Garden. Here's Why (and How) Whether you have a green thumb or not, there are many benefits to spending time gardening. From the physical benefits of being outside and getting some exercise, to the mental benefits of spending time with nature, gardening can positively impact your health in many ways. Often, simply being around plants can have a positive effect on your health. Today, Theresa's Health and Wellness, with the help of Clara Beaufort of Gardengigs.com will explore how gardening can benefit your physical and mental health. We'll also provide some tips on how to start a garden, even if you don't have a lot of space. So let's get started! The Physical Benefits of Gardening Gardening is a great way to get some exercise, especially as we age. It can help improve strength, flexibility, and balance. And since it requires us to use a variety of muscles, it can keep us limber and reduce the risk of injuries. Further, gardening is a low-impact activity that’s easy on our joints. Research has shown that gardening can help reduce the risk (and impacts) of osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. In addition to the benefits for our muscles and joints, gardening can also help improve our cardiovascular health. And according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), other benefits of aerobic activities like gardening include lower blood pressure, cholesterol levels, and blood sugar levels. But the benefits of gardening don’t stop there. In fact, gardening can also be a great start to a new business – one that can keep you busy and physically active, while also generating a little side income, as well. The Mental Benefits of Gardening In addition to the physical benefits, there are also mental benefits to be gained from gardening. One study found that environmental exposure can help reduce stress and improve moods. This is especially critical for self-employed individuals who struggle to set boundaries and prioritize self-care. Another study showed that people who spend time in nature have less rumination – a form of repetitive thinking that can lead to depression – and more positive self-reflection. Spending time with plants has also been shown to improve cognitive function and memory recall. Adopt a Regenerative Living Mindset Gardening with regenerative living practices is becoming increasingly popular these days. As the practice of regenerative living encourages the use of sustainable and natural, low-impact techniques, it can have a hugely positive impact on gardening results. By going beyond traditional modes of gardening and taking steps such as introducing beneficial microbes into soil, encouraging biodiversity, composting and using natural pest control methods, we can create beautiful gardens that also help to promote healthy ecosystems. Regenerative living enables us to take care of our gardens in a way that both nourishes and respects nature. Quick Tips for Starting Your Garden So now that we've talked about some ways that gardening can benefit your physical and mental health, let's discuss how to start gardening. Even if you don't have a lot of space, there are plenty of ways you can enjoy all the advantages of growing your own plants. Identify Your Growing Space Plants thrive when they're placed in locations where they will receive six hours or more sunlight each day. So if you're an apartment dweller without a backyard, a sunny windowsill is a fantastic place to start growing plants. Fire escapes are another excellent option for those without yards; most fire escapes are made of concrete or bricks, which retain heat well, making them ideal for plant growth. Container gardens are also perfect for small spaces. Pots and planters come in all shapes and sizes, so you're sure to find something that will fit your space perfectly. You might be surprised by how much you can grow in a simple container garden! If you have a yard, take an inventory of what kind of sun exposure your yard gets throughout the day; this will help you decide where to put your garden. Plant Your Garden Once you've chosen where to put your garden, it's time to plant and grow! Consider what type of plants you want to grow. Publications like the Old Farmer’s Almanac can help you decide what and when to plant. Here are some more quick tips to get you started:
Learn everything you can about gardening by taking advantage of online resources like Home Garden Hero where you can find expert advice and tips; click here to learn more. Keep Track of Improvements Adding a garden to your home can increase its appraisal value, especially if it's a sizable garden in your backyard, deck, or other outdoor space. Be sure to keep receipts for all the materials and labor involved, and take photos before and after your project to document the progress. Conclusion As you can see, there are many reasons gardening is good for your physical and mental health. So if you're looking for a way to improve your health in body and mind, why not give gardening a try? With just a little effort (and maybe a sunny windowsill), you could be reaping all kinds of benefits in no time! Theresa's Health and Wellness is here to help you live your best life. Reach out today if you have any questions!
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So, I had, a very talented and knowledgeable lady, from gardenergigs.com reach out to me asking me to write for my site. Right away I thought it was a great fit. Before I post her amazing article in the next few days, I thought I would mention a few of my own thoughts of why a gardening article would would be fit for a health coach blog. It may be already obvious, but in case it isn't As a person who loves nature, and thinks health is important, I realize that our health and the health of the planet go hand in hand. …..Nature, environment…..doterra essential oils, wine, bees. Think about this, a large part of our unhealth today is due to eating preservatives, and pesticides. Our soils are depleted leaving our fruits and vegetables with less nutrients. This leads to us having to eat more fruits and vegetables than in the past, or to add supplements to our diet. Pesticides blow with the wind from one crop to another. Animals eat them, it hurts the bugs, which I understand, the whole point of pesticides is to kill the bugs, but bees, and birds, and other critters eat these pesticides. Sustainable, and organic farming help, not only our gut, but the environment as a whole. It helps the bees, which pollinate not only the beautiful flowers, but also the vegetables, and fruit trees. This is a cycle, we go hand and hand with nature, when we respect, and take care of nature, it in turn takes care of us, and vice versa. You can find articles that say that organic farming is not any healthier than conventional. But that is almost impossible, as the pesticides affect our gut and our hormones, which effects our health. Our bodies were made to process whole foods, not chemicals. One of the reasons why there is so much chronic illness, and also at an earlier age today, is because of the things we are spraying on our food, and the things that we are adding in.
Another thing is that when we eat organic, and buy from farms that practice sustainable farming methods, we are supporting the small farmer who is trying to do the right thing, for us, for the earth and for his/her family So, think about it. Today we live in a world of convenience, where we don’t always have to think about it, but where has that lead us, really? Part of my new mission to help people understand their health, and heal their guts, is to visit more local farms, and find out more about them. Stay tuned, because, Clara will not only a few gardening pointers, but also her view on how gardening can help our health. Until then......... Here's to your health! Bodies come in all shapes and sizes, but rarely are they all accepted by society. Too many of us are self-conscious and self-critical, and we all see flaws in ourselves. The worst things we can do are make comparisons to and assumptions about others. Perhaps we don't think another person is justified in his or her complaints because, "At least they are thin," or "At least they have curves." We all need to learn to love who we are because we are all unique; there is no perfect body. Here are five ways to help you learn to love yourself, no matter your size. 1. Stop Comparing Yourself to Others:
The most important thing you can do to start loving yourself is to stop comparing your body to someone else’s. Comparisons only lead to jealousy and envy, and you will never be happy with yourself if you compare yourself to another. Everyone has flaws, even they are not visible to you. We were all made differently and every body has its beauty. Don’t even think about comparing yourself to the models that you see in the magazines or on the runway. Magazines are photoshopped and what you see on the runway is often the result of heavy makeup and body sculpting. 2. Change how you perceive yourself: In order to love yourself, you must change your perception of yourself. Say positive things about your body and keep saying them until you actually start believing every word. The proof that this works is because this practice is how you started to dislike your body in the first place; you kept seeing yourself in a negative light and finding the flaws until you started believing every thought. Turn that process around and start finding the positive. 3. Go to the gym: Or the park, a dance class, a yoga class, or an exercise class. Physical activity is a great way to learn to love your body. Trying new exercises or taking on a physical challenge helps you get to know your body in a whole new way. You will discover new abilities, new strengths, and new power, just by moving your body. When you see yourself, you will also start to see just what you are capable of, instead of what you look like. 4. Practice gratitude: It can always be worse. Be grateful that you are healthy and that you have the resources or mental clarity to pursue something different. Be thankful for what you have, what you can do, and how far you can go. 5. Be your own cheerleader: When you look in the mirror, do not focus on the flaws. Find the things you love about your body, and celebrate the smallest victories. Be your own cheerleader instead of your worst enemy. Before you can move forward in life, whether it is in a relationship, a job, or a new endeavor, success will only come after you learn to love and appreciate yourself. Also see my blog on Relationships and Self Love....... Yours in health and wellness, With the amount of information that exists about good nutrition, you would think it was a big mystery. The truth of the matter is, there is no mystery involved in getting the proper nutrients that your body needs. Why should you care about getting the proper nutrients? Many people are under the misconception that eating healthy is for the young because they are growing. Tissue and cells are constantly being renewed in both children and adults. The failure for these elements to repair themselves can result in diseases of lifelong misery or worse, death. To lower your risk of developing a disease, you simply need to follow three simple steps of good nutrition. Proper Hydration Plain and simple, your body needs water. Being properly hydrated will benefit you from head to toe. Water keeps your cells hydrated and flowing throughout your body. It doesn't take long to witness the benefits of drinking sufficient water. Just a week of being hydrated and your skin will have a new glow. If you need to lose weight, water can help you achieve your goal. In many instances, people misinterpret thirst for hunger. Unless it's been a few hours since you have eaten, have a glass of water the next time you have hunger pains. There are numerous guidelines for how much water to drink. Consuming eight glasses of water each day is the most popular guideline. People have different needs. A better indication of how hydrated you are is your urine. When you are properly hydrated your urine is almost clear. There is the possibility of water intoxication so you don't want your urine to be completely colorless. Eating Healthy In addition to being hydrated, you need to eat a variety of foods. Forget fad diets that restrict certain foods. The key to healthy eating is to eat in moderation and variety. Your food choices should include a large percentage from complex carbohydrates, which is sufficient for energy. You should also consume several servings of fruits, vegetables, grains, and dairy every day. You should limit your servings of protein and fats to two or three servings each day. By including all of these food groups in your diet, you are less likely to be hungry or have cravings for sweets and other non-nutritional foods. Vitamin Supplementation As long as you live in a country where food is plentiful and produced safely, you should have no problem obtaining the amount of vitamins and minerals your body needs. However, food allergies, dislikes, and illness may prevent you from eating certain foods. Some people, for example, are lactose intolerant and cannot consume dairy products. In these instances, supplementation should become a part of a plan for healthy nutrition. You don't need a prescription to purchase vitamins, but it is a good idea to discuss your particular needs with your medical doctor. Consuming excessive amounts of some vitamins can cause toxicity and unpleasant side effects. Essential oils are aromatic compounds that are extracted from the flowers, seeds, roots, or leaves of various plants. Each essential oil has its unique smell, properties, and qualities; these oils are generally either diffused into the air or applied topically. With so many uses, trying essential oils can be a little daunting. Here are 12 easy ways to start using essential oils every day. 1. Stress relief: Essential oils like frankincense and lavender can help with stress management. Lavender essential oil promotes relaxation and helps balance your stress levels. Frankincense essential oil can help deter feelings of depression. Lemon essential oil can also help boost your mood. 2. Increased energy and stamina: Essential oils like lavender, lemon, and frankincense can help boost your stamina and provide a burst of energy. 3. Healthy skin: Problematic skin can often be treated with the help of essential oils applied topically. Lavender essential oil can be used to clean and soothe shallow cuts, irritated skin, redness, and bruises. Lemon essential oil contains 68% of d-limonene, a common antioxidant that promotes healthy skin by reducing inflammation. Tea tree oil can also be used to treat common cuts, skin irritations, and stubborn acne scars. Mix the essential oil with a carrier oil before applying to your skin. 4. Improved nervous system: Diffusing lemon essential oil can help improve your nervous system and alertness. 5. Digestion and weight loss support: Lemon and peppermint essential oils are often recommended to improve digestion. Peppermint essential oil can also be an effective appetite suppressant, aiding in weight loss. 6. Respiratory system support: Diffuse peppermint and frankincense essential oils to help support your respiratory system. 7. Immune system support: Diffusing or cleaning with teat tree and Thieves essential oils can help support your immune system and stave off colds, flu, and other illnesses. 8. Oral health: Thieves essential oil is used in many organic kinds of toothpaste because it supports oral health. 9. Air purification: Tea tree and thieves essential oils are great for cleansing and purifying the air in your home. They can also be used as all-natural, all-purpose home cleaners. 10. Healthy lips: Lavender essential oil can be used to soothe and moisturize dry, chapped, or cracked lips. 11. Dandruff-free hair: Apply lavender essential oil—either directly or diluted with a carrier oil—to relieve stubborn dandruff. 12. Mosquito repellant: You can make your own mosquito repellent by mixing citronella, lemongrass, coconut, and eucalyptus oils. Apply topically or diffuse in the surrounding area. If you would like to learn more about my Free Essential Oil Health Consultation, just click here. Yours in health and wellness, Theresa What are adrenal glands and where are they located? Your adrenal glands play a very important role in maintaining your health. They are incredibly small, about the size and weight of a coin. They are located above your kidneys, just below the muscle tissue of your lower back. What do adrenal glands do? Our adrenal glands are responsible for many things that assist in regulating our body and hormones, including thyroid and reproductive hormones. They are also responsible for managing stress, the amount of inflammation in our body, our immune system, our blood sugar levels and the electrolytes in our blood. They influence all the physiological functions processes of the body and help stave off physical fatigue. Signs your adrenal health is bad When there is something wrong with our body, it will start to signal us that something needs to be addressed. Here is how your adrenal glands will signal you that something is wrong.
How to improve your adrenal health If you suspect your adrenal glands may need some care and attention, try some of the following tips. 1. Get your sleep schedule in sync: Make sure that you get quality sleep for 9 to 10 hours. Sleep and wake up at the same times to get your body in a rhythm. It needs to follow a routine to start to heal. 2. Daily exercise: Set aside at least 30 minutes a day for exercise, no matter how busy or tired you may be. 3. Add these to your diet: To improve your adrenal health, add proteins, healthy carbs, zinc, calcium, and vitamins (especially C and D) to your diet. Also increase foods like coconuts, avocados, olives, chia seeds, bone broth, nuts, vegetables and fish, but make sure you do all of this in moderation. If you would like to learn more about just click here or message me Yours in health and wellness, Theresa
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April 2024
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