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Tag: Gardening

Looking out at a gorgeous garden filled with plants and flowers can do wonders for the mind. A garden in full bloom is pleasing to the eyes and the nose. It is even better when you plant those flowers and plants. Perhaps you enjoy growing your own fruits and vegetables?

A homegrown tomato can taste drastically better than a store-bought tomato. Gardening boasts many benefits beyond the beauty, taste, and smells of the garden itself. In fact, there are many health benefits. Here are a few health benefits you can achieve from gardening. 

Stress Reliever

Gardening relieves anxiety and stress. A study from the Journal of Health Psychology found that gardening can lower cortisol levels in the brain. Cortisol is considered the “stress hormone.” Your body needs it to function, but too much of it can cause higher blood pressure or fluctuating glucose levels. So go ahead and dig in the dirt and feel relaxed while doing it. 

Good Exercise

Gardening is good exercise. Your heart rate goes up when you garden. Gardening isn’t as rigorous as a run-around the block, but any physical activity is good for your body. It has been proven that even daily light exercise increases your lifespan. Just be careful you stretch your arms, shoulders, and hands often as you work so you do not end up with tendonitis or carpal tunnel syndrome. 

Improves Immune System

Gardening can improve your immune system. Believe it or not, spending time digging in the dirt can improve immune health. A bacteria found in garden soil called Mycobacterium vaccae is considered a “friendly” bacterium because it helps improve the immune system. The bacteria have even been known to alleviate symptoms of asthma, psoriasis, and allergies. 

Lowers Dementia Risk

Gardening could lower the risk of dementia. An article on the website fivestarseniorliving.com mentions a study that found gardening may reduce the risk of dementia by up to 36 percent. Scientists believe it is because gardening requires many critical functions, such as sensory awareness and dexterity. Spending even a short time gardening, you are more likely to maintain motor skills and improve your strength and endurance. 

Source of Vitamin D

Gardening provides much-needed vitamin D. We have already mentioned how gardening decreases anxiety, but gardening also improves your mood. The sunshine causes your body to produce vitamin D and raises the serotonin levels in your brain. Serotonin is a chemical in your body that helps you feel calm and happy. Be sure to wear sunscreen and a hat while you garden. The sun does have its benefits, but you need to protect yourself from sunburn and the sun’s harmful UV rays.

With all of these benefits from gardening, you should consider stopping and smelling the roses and maybe even plant a few of your own. If you need help getting to your garden, consider calling us at Next Day Access, and we can install a modular or threshold ramp at your home. Contact us today for a free estimate.

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Just because the people you love are getting older does not mean you cannot still have good times and lots of fun together. We happen to think that some fun activities with aging adults are actually beneficial to both parties.

You may not be playing tag or hopscotch, but you are keeping your aging family members emotionally happy and physically young by spending time with them. Here are a few suggestions for enjoying time with your aging loved ones:

5 Activities With Aging Adults

Exercise

If your loved one is mobile, walk with them around the block. If they need the aid of a wheelchair, they can stroll with you and push themselves. You can also try chair yoga with them or regular yoga if they are able. When your loved ones exercise, they improve cardiovascular health, prevent diseases like diabetes and arthritis, and help maintain bone mass.

Play Games

Have you been to the store and sat and stared at the board game aisle lately? There are many new and fun games for all ages. Some of the fun ones to play with your loved ones include:

  • Scategories
  • Yahtzee 
  • Dominos 
  • Checkers or Chess 
  • Backgammon
  • Card games like Hearts, Bridge, Go Fish, War, or Spades

Do a Puzzle

The best thing about puzzles is they both relax you and stimulate the brain. A study from Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience found that you can lower your risk of dementia and Alzheimer’s by doing puzzles. Another study from Princeton found that doing puzzles, including crossword puzzles, can increase dexterity. Doing a puzzle will greatly benefit you, too!

Gardening

Creating something together is a lovely activity to do with your loved ones. If you do not have the space for a personal garden, you can also sign up for a community garden. Once you choose the plants or seeds, you would like to bury start planning where to plant them.

You will oversee the heavy digging while your loved one directs you where to go. Once your plants grow a little, you both can work on pruning and watering. Then soon, voila, your team effort will have produced a beautiful garden.

Read Together

You could maybe even join a book club! there are books on countless topics, so there’s bound to be something you will both like. If your loved one can still see without eye strain, you can take turns reading, or if they prefer, you can read the book to them.

We hope you have enjoyed our suggestions on spending a wonderful time with your loved one. At Next Day Access, we proudly specialize in selling products to help your aging loved ones live more comfortably, safely, and independently. Schedule a free estimate and see how we can help you.

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Gardening is a popular hobby that many people can enjoy. It is a healthy, safe, and comfortable physical and mental activity. However, as you get older, this hobby can become difficult because of limited mobility. Luckily though, there are many ways you can still enjoy gardening. Accessible gardening tools can help you avoid causing strain to your body.

Here are some suggestions on accessible tools and some tips on better gardening practices for limited mobility:

Invest in a Raised Bed or Plant in Containers 

If you have trouble with bending down, then bring the garden up to a comfortable height. Raised garden beds bring the garden up to a comfortable height for the gardener. You will not have to bend and reach as much. Another good thing about raised beds is it doesn’t require much digging.

If you decide to maintain multiple raised beds, you might consider creating wide, level pathways between them. The paths could be composed of pea gravel, pavers, or brick. The route will help with weed control and provide a flat, secure surface. 

Invest in a Rolling Work Seat 

Consider investing in a rolling work seat. A rolling work seat can help you move around the yard and avoid pain and injury from kneeling, squatting, or bending. The wheels are created to move effectively over rough terrain, and the height gets you closer to your garden while still supporting your body.

Look into Tools with Long Handles 

Edging the lawn is necessary when you are dealing with garden beds dug into the ground. Keeping the grass out of your garden can be challenging when bending over to use standard garden tools. Luckily, you can get edging sheers and pruners with an adjustable telescopic handle.

You will find that telescopic handles are an essential part of adaptive gardening tools for wheelchair users. It might take time to become precise with these tools, but once you do, your yard and garden will flourish.�� 

At Next Day Access, we love to help our customers continue to enjoy their outdoor hobbies. While we do not specialize in accessible gardening tools, we specialize in many other accessibility products and mobility equipment. Contact us today if you or your loved one needs any help making their home safe and more comfortable. 

  

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