Gardening is not just a hobby, it’s a form of physical activity that provides many health benefits—both mentally and physically. Among the many benefits of gardening include lowering blood pressure, stress, and depression, and increasing mood. Feeling closer to nature and the earth can be a source of relaxation that you can enjoy whenever you have time to garden. Gardening also burns as many calories as a workout while providing a strength training and gentle cardio workout. Here are five surprising benefits of gardening:

1. Lowers stress, blood pressure and improves mood

Gardening can help lower your blood pressure and improve your mood. This is because the simple benefit of being outside in nature opens the blood vessels and stimulates blood circulation. Gardening helps your body stay relaxed in many ways, including reducing stress and anxiety levels. This can benefit those suffering from depression or anxiety. Studies show that gardening improves mood by releasing endorphins similar to those felt after a workout (serotonin). Gardening also stimulates the pineal gland in the brain, which regulates many functions, including your circadian rhythm and sleep cycle.

2. Boosts immune health

Gardening helps to boost your white blood cells, which improve your immune system and enable you to fight off infections and illness.  This is partly due to the fresh air, sunlight, and vitamin D consumed while gardening. The environmental exposure to beneficial bacteria in garden soil may also boost immunity to germs, infections and illnesses.

3. Enjoyable aerobic exercise

Aerobic exercise can be a great way to get in shape. Gardening is an aerobic activity due to the constant need for you to use your legs, arms, and core muscles, to squat using the legs and hamstring muscles (while weeding), contract the arms (while carrying garden soil and watering cans), and back and chest muscles (when shoveling and digging). In fact, the average hour spent gardening can burn between 200 and 400 calories. Gardening also employs muscles that aren’t usually used. Gardening also builds confidence because you can see your accomplishments grow right before your eyes.

4. Exposure to vitamin D

Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin biologically synthesized via the skin by sunlight. Your body needs vitamin D to maintain strong bones and teeth, help the body absorb calcium into the bloodstream, regulate blood pressure levels, and support cell growth. Vitamin D deficiency has been linked to an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, heart diseases, cancer, and more. One solution for increasing your vitamin D levels is gardening. Just ensure that you wear sunscreen, or a protective hat and sunglasses when gardening for long periods outside, exposed to potentially harmful UV rays.

5. Reaps fresh produce, free of chemicals

Growing your food allows you to be an independent, local producer. Therefore, it’s an environmentally conscious and sustainable option because it doesn’t require shipping or the use of pesticides and chemicals (as with many large agricultural farms). Instead, many backyard gardeners choose to use natural fertilizers and pest control methods to grow crops safely while deterring pests.  A lawn company can provide safe, chemical-free options to help you create a beautiful landscape and stay on top of home maintenance. But by having the ability to grow your food, you can control what goes onto your plate. This can significantly benefit your family’s health in many ways. A home contractor will be able to provide you with some great gardening tips, such as installing gutter guards and a rain barrel to conserve water while adequately keeping your garden hydrated.

Gardening is a simple activity that everyone can enjoy to improve their health. It helps burn calories and build muscle while lowering blood pressure and improving mood. You can also grow organic fruits, vegetables, and herbs to eat fresh while protecting your loved ones from harmful pesticides. Gardening is a cheap way to eat well, get exercise and sunshine, and improve your overall health.