Gardening as You Grow Older

As spring is upon us, many of us will be venturing out into our gardens and enjoying the warmer weather. As we get older we may face a few limitations but these should not deter us from enjoying our hobbies.

There are many ways in which you can adjust your garden to ensure that you can continue to enjoy being outside. By raising the beds, you can avoid bending and stooping or even consider vertical planting using trellis’ to make them even more accessible. Swap your old trust garden tools for some new, lightweight ones to make them easier to handle. You can even use foam or tape to modify the handle to ensure a better grip.

Take a moment to think about your safety in the garden, ask a friend or relative to ensure that paths are clear and non-slip. Make sure that you have plenty of fluids to keep you hydrated and take regular breaks, especially if the sun is shining! Most importantly, and often forgotten, is warm up before you start to prevent injuring yourself.

The bottom line is that gardening is good for you! Research shows that regular activity, such as gardening, can help reduce the risk of stroke and promote a longer, healthier life!

• It is an enjoyable form of gentle exercise
• It helps with endurance, mobility and flexibility
• It uses all our motor skills
• It stimulates all the senses
• It promotes relaxation

So, take advantage of the longer days and warmer weather and go outside and enjoy your garden.