Gardening goodness: gardening makes people feel younger

[Guest guest]

Gardening goodness: gardening makes people feel younger

Gardening doesn't just make older adults more active, it actually makes them feel younger and gives them a more of a 'zest for life' than those without green fingers, new studies show.

Gardeners feel younger, more energetic and get more daily physical exercise Photo: MARTIN POPE

7:00AM GMT 19 Mar 2011

And over-50s who enjoy pruning and planting are more likely to be organised, optimistic and eat more fruit and vegetables, said the university research.

It confirmed previous studies that getting into the garden is one of the best ways of keeping active in later life as it gets people off the sofa and outdoors doing something physical.

But the benefits to mental health also make it a better activity than sitting indoors doing puzzles or watching TV, the US study suggests.

Researchers from two universities in Texas analysed the behaviour, activity and attitudes of almost 300 men and women over 50, splitting them up into gardeners and non-gardeners.

Using a psychological index called the Life Satisfaction Inventory they found that 71 per cent of gardeners, compared to 57 per cent of non-gardeners, say they do not 'feel old.'

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Gardeners also felt more energetic and got more daily physical exercise; non-gardeners are three times more likely to consider themselves 'inactive.'

This suggests that for many older adults gardening is a sole activity and those who do not do it have no other physical exercise instead.

But there are other cerebral benefits too, said the study which is published in the specialist journal HortTechnology. Those with a taste for gardening are also more likely to plan and organise a diary for the coming months, showing them to be more mentally active too, said the study.

There were also higher scores for general 'life satisfaction' and keen gardeners were more likely to eat fresh fruit and vegetables than non-gardeners, suggesting the outdoor habit can influence health eating habits.

The researchers wrote: "These factors, in conjunction with higher physical activity, result in healthier lifestyles and increased quality of life.

"The study presents strong evidence that gardening can be an effective way for older adults to increase life satisfaction while also increasing physical activity.

"In a time when older adults are living longer and enjoying more free time, gardening offers the opportunity to fulfill needs created by changing lifestyles.

"Gardening provides participants with opportunities to reconnect with themselves through nature and a healthy activity to enhance their quality of life." ends

[Guest guest]

Gardening goodness: gardening makes people feel younger

Gardening doesn't just make older adults more active, it actually makes them feel younger and gives them a more of a 'zest for life' than those without green fingers, new studies show.

Gardeners feel younger, more energetic and get more daily physical exercise Photo: MARTIN POPE

7:00AM GMT 19 Mar 2011

And over-50s who enjoy pruning and planting are more likely to be organised, optimistic and eat more fruit and vegetables, said the university research.

It confirmed previous studies that getting into the garden is one of the best ways of keeping active in later life as it gets people off the sofa and outdoors doing something physical.

But the benefits to mental health also make it a better activity than sitting indoors doing puzzles or watching TV, the US study suggests.

Researchers from two universities in Texas analysed the behaviour, activity and attitudes of almost 300 men and women over 50, splitting them up into gardeners and non-gardeners.

Using a psychological index called the Life Satisfaction Inventory they found that 71 per cent of gardeners, compared to 57 per cent of non-gardeners, say they do not 'feel old.'

Related Articles

Gardening goodness - how to exercise while gardening? 19 Mar 2011

Gardening goodness - why pottering with the plants is perfect for lifting the mood 19 Mar 2011

Gardeners also felt more energetic and got more daily physical exercise; non-gardeners are three times more likely to consider themselves 'inactive.'

This suggests that for many older adults gardening is a sole activity and those who do not do it have no other physical exercise instead.

But there are other cerebral benefits too, said the study which is published in the specialist journal HortTechnology. Those with a taste for gardening are also more likely to plan and organise a diary for the coming months, showing them to be more mentally active too, said the study.

There were also higher scores for general 'life satisfaction' and keen gardeners were more likely to eat fresh fruit and vegetables than non-gardeners, suggesting the outdoor habit can influence health eating habits.

The researchers wrote: "These factors, in conjunction with higher physical activity, result in healthier lifestyles and increased quality of life.

"The study presents strong evidence that gardening can be an effective way for older adults to increase life satisfaction while also increasing physical activity.

"In a time when older adults are living longer and enjoying more free time, gardening offers the opportunity to fulfill needs created by changing lifestyles.

"Gardening provides participants with opportunities to reconnect with themselves through nature and a healthy activity to enhance their quality of life." ends

[Guest guest]

Gardening goodness: gardening makes people feel younger

Gardening doesn't just make older adults more active, it actually makes them feel younger and gives them a more of a 'zest for life' than those without green fingers, new studies show.

Gardeners feel younger, more energetic and get more daily physical exercise Photo: MARTIN POPE

7:00AM GMT 19 Mar 2011

And over-50s who enjoy pruning and planting are more likely to be organised, optimistic and eat more fruit and vegetables, said the university research.

It confirmed previous studies that getting into the garden is one of the best ways of keeping active in later life as it gets people off the sofa and outdoors doing something physical.

But the benefits to mental health also make it a better activity than sitting indoors doing puzzles or watching TV, the US study suggests.

Researchers from two universities in Texas analysed the behaviour, activity and attitudes of almost 300 men and women over 50, splitting them up into gardeners and non-gardeners.

Using a psychological index called the Life Satisfaction Inventory they found that 71 per cent of gardeners, compared to 57 per cent of non-gardeners, say they do not 'feel old.'

Related Articles

Gardening goodness - how to exercise while gardening? 19 Mar 2011

Gardening goodness - why pottering with the plants is perfect for lifting the mood 19 Mar 2011

Gardeners also felt more energetic and got more daily physical exercise; non-gardeners are three times more likely to consider themselves 'inactive.'

This suggests that for many older adults gardening is a sole activity and those who do not do it have no other physical exercise instead.

But there are other cerebral benefits too, said the study which is published in the specialist journal HortTechnology. Those with a taste for gardening are also more likely to plan and organise a diary for the coming months, showing them to be more mentally active too, said the study.

There were also higher scores for general 'life satisfaction' and keen gardeners were more likely to eat fresh fruit and vegetables than non-gardeners, suggesting the outdoor habit can influence health eating habits.

The researchers wrote: "These factors, in conjunction with higher physical activity, result in healthier lifestyles and increased quality of life.

"The study presents strong evidence that gardening can be an effective way for older adults to increase life satisfaction while also increasing physical activity.

"In a time when older adults are living longer and enjoying more free time, gardening offers the opportunity to fulfill needs created by changing lifestyles.

"Gardening provides participants with opportunities to reconnect with themselves through nature and a healthy activity to enhance their quality of life." ends

[Guest guest]

Gardening goodness: gardening makes people feel younger

Gardening doesn't just make older adults more active, it actually makes them feel younger and gives them a more of a 'zest for life' than those without green fingers, new studies show.

Gardeners feel younger, more energetic and get more daily physical exercise Photo: MARTIN POPE

7:00AM GMT 19 Mar 2011

And over-50s who enjoy pruning and planting are more likely to be organised, optimistic and eat more fruit and vegetables, said the university research.

It confirmed previous studies that getting into the garden is one of the best ways of keeping active in later life as it gets people off the sofa and outdoors doing something physical.

But the benefits to mental health also make it a better activity than sitting indoors doing puzzles or watching TV, the US study suggests.

Researchers from two universities in Texas analysed the behaviour, activity and attitudes of almost 300 men and women over 50, splitting them up into gardeners and non-gardeners.

Using a psychological index called the Life Satisfaction Inventory they found that 71 per cent of gardeners, compared to 57 per cent of non-gardeners, say they do not 'feel old.'

Related Articles

Gardening goodness - how to exercise while gardening? 19 Mar 2011

Gardening goodness - why pottering with the plants is perfect for lifting the mood 19 Mar 2011

Gardeners also felt more energetic and got more daily physical exercise; non-gardeners are three times more likely to consider themselves 'inactive.'

This suggests that for many older adults gardening is a sole activity and those who do not do it have no other physical exercise instead.

But there are other cerebral benefits too, said the study which is published in the specialist journal HortTechnology. Those with a taste for gardening are also more likely to plan and organise a diary for the coming months, showing them to be more mentally active too, said the study.

There were also higher scores for general 'life satisfaction' and keen gardeners were more likely to eat fresh fruit and vegetables than non-gardeners, suggesting the outdoor habit can influence health eating habits.

The researchers wrote: "These factors, in conjunction with higher physical activity, result in healthier lifestyles and increased quality of life.

"The study presents strong evidence that gardening can be an effective way for older adults to increase life satisfaction while also increasing physical activity.

"In a time when older adults are living longer and enjoying more free time, gardening offers the opportunity to fulfill needs created by changing lifestyles.

"Gardening provides participants with opportunities to reconnect with themselves through nature and a healthy activity to enhance their quality of life." ends