Our Chiropractor, Dr. Trent Burrup encourages every patient to get out and exercise. One of the best ways to do this in the spring is to get out in the fresh air and do some GARDENING!
Sure, that succulent produce improves your diet by leaps and bounds… But your endless labor of love may also strengthen you in ways that may surprise you.
- Stress Relief and Self-Esteem: One study measured cortisol (stress hormone) levels in the brain after gardening . It showed that gardeners had measurably lower cortisol levels when compared to a group that read indoors for stress relief. It may be more than brain hormones causing higher self-esteem scores for gardeners: there’s no more tangible measure of one’s power to cause positive change in the world than to nurture a plant from seed to fruit-bearing.
- Heart Health and Stroke Risk: Gardening provides a rewarding motivation that makes it happen, unlike a treadmill, which invites associations with hamsters running on wheels. The evidence is clear: too much sitting is dangerous for your health, so break it up as much as you can with small spurts of activity, even just a few minutes here and there.
- Hand Strength and Dexterity: As we age, diminishing dexterity and strength in the hands can gradually narrow the range of activities that are possible or pleasurable. Gardening keeps those hand muscles vigorous and agile.
- Brain Health and Alzheimer’s Risk: Researchers found daily gardening to represent the single biggest risk reduction for dementia, reducing incidence by 36%. Gardening involves so many of our critical functions, including strength, endurance, dexterity, learning, problem solving, and sensory awareness, that its benefits are likely to represent a coordination of the brain that helps with brain health.
- Immune Regulation: Not only does the Vitamin D you’re soaking in from the springtime sunshine help you fight off colds and flus, but it turns out even the dirt under your fingernails may be working in your favor! The “friendly” soil bacteria Mycobacterium vaccae — common in garden dirt and absorbed by inhalation or ingestion on vegetables — has been found to alleviate symptoms of psoriasis, allergies and asthma: all of which may stem from an out-of-whack immune system.
- Depression and Mental Health: The benefits to mental and emotional health appear to spring from a combination of physical activity, awareness of natural surroundings, cognitive stimulation and the satisfaction of the work.
Read More about the Benefits of Gardening HERE.
A healthy lifestyle includes exercise, eating right, and doing things to take care of yourself such as chiropractic care, massage, and other wellness therapies that make you feel good physically, emotionally, and spiritually. The chiropractic lifestyle helps you by fully restoring nerve function, decreasing pain, and improving range of motion. Chiropractic can assist you in all areas of your health, not just neck and back pain.
Our Chiropractor, Dr. Trent Burrup is an expert in not only chiropractic, but many areas of wellness care. When we use many healing techniques in addition to chiropractic adjustments, the chiropractic care is enhanced and much more effective. Addressing the whole person, not just one aspect is the fastest way back to better health. See your chiropractor today to improve your health and wellness!
The Institute of Chiropractic and Acupuncture Therapy provides care to patients in the Salt Lake City and surrounding areas, Utah County, Davis County, and even some from out of state. Come experience the difference at The Institute and Become Empowered With Your Health!
