Why Join a Gardening Club in Your Golden Years?
Are you getting enough physical activity during your retirement? Are you looking for a versatile activity that can bring many physical, mental, and social benefits to your life?
Participating in a local senior gardening club can be the activity you've been looking for.
Uncertain this kind of club is the right choice to enhance your lifestyle? Keep reading as we explain the top senior gardening benefits and what you can expect to gain when you join one!
Immersive Physical Activity
The CDC states that around 28% of older adults are completely inactive. Being sedentary is a detriment to your overall health and can lead to preventable conditions such as diabetes.
Committing yourself to taking fitness classes or going to the gym for exercise can be daunting and even off-putting for some people. It leads to unhealthy decisions, such as not going at all and ignoring the need for physical activity altogether.
That's why the natural health benefits of gardening can be so inviting.
As you work on growing beautiful plants, it never feels as though you're engaging in a form of exercise. Instead, you get to focus on caring for your plants and enjoy the fresh air as you move around the garden. You'll give your body the activity it needs to be healthy without it feeling like an unwanted chore.
Plenty of Sunlight
Did you know that getting enough sunlight can have a positive impact on your health? It can be easy to stay inside most days, but gardening forces you to spend some of that time outside.
The health benefits of sunlight include:
- Natural vitamin D absorption
- Improving mood
- Boosting immune system
- Relaxation
- Maintaining concentration and alertness
It's crucial to remember to protect yourself from too much sunlight, however. Put on high-quality sunscreen every time you plan to work on the gardens with your club. Don't forget to put it on even on cloudy days, as these can be deceptive and lead to severe sunburns if you're not careful.
Socialization Opportunities
Socialization is necessary for a mentally healthy lifestyle, but joining social clubs for seniors can sometimes be an intimidating idea. For some seniors, it can make interactions feel forced and stilted.
A gardening club, on the other hand, doesn't have that same social requirement listed on the label. However, it is a great socialization opportunity as you work with other seniors to perfect the gardens.
You'll work together and talk about the health of the plants. You'll have the chance to share tips, tricks, and stories about past gardening hobbies. It's easier to jump into a conversation while participating in an activity with others instead of trying to kickstart a conversation on the fly.
Share Gardening Resources
Most gardening clubs come with the tools and supplies already gathered for the local gardeners to use. Getting into a new hobby can sometimes be a costly endeavor.
When you join a gardening club, you won't need to worry about buying many things to get started.
There will also be seniors with different levels of gardening experience. You'll get the chance for senior social engagement as you either share your knowledge with others or learn from those who have gardened before.
The sharing of these kinds of resources can help create lasting bonds throughout the club. Other community activities and events will be even more enjoyable since you'll already have a friendly connection with other seniors.
Connect With Nature
Have you ever stepped outside, breathed in fresh air, and felt better about the day? This kind of innate connection with the world around us can benefit our mental well-being in ways we don't even realize.
In this modern age, it can be easy to spend days upon days inside without ever feeling a need to go outside. The problem is that you're giving up many benefits when you do this, such as:
- Access to health-boosting sunlight
- Reduced anxiety symptoms
- Creative inspiration
- Mood improvement
- Lowered stress levels
Sometimes you can even change the outlook of a difficult day simply by spending some time outside with nature.
Contribute to Your Community
When you're surrounded by many welcoming community services and amenities, it's natural to want to give back to your community from time to time. Finding a way to do so can be difficult, but a gardening club gives you an easy opportunity to better your community by growing fresh foods and beautiful flowers.
Instead of a sparse walkway, for instance, you can brighten that area with pops of color and life. It'll make the entire community flourish and look even more inviting than ever before.
It's a simple change that can make a big difference in helping your community thrive.
Sense of Accomplishment
Are you wanting a hobby that leaves you feeling accomplished and satisfied at the end of each day? Gardening is the right choice for giving members a sense of purpose and accomplishment.
You'll get to nurture plants to their full potential. You'll be rewarded with either gorgeous blossoms or delicious veggies by the end of your efforts.
Those little plants wouldn't grow as well without your help. All of the love and care you've put into the sprouts will one day come back tenfold as they reach their completion.
Plus, there's a unique satisfaction to offering friends and family food you've grown yourself.
Join the Gardening Club at LakeHouse New Holstein
With all of these benefits, it's easy to see why gardening activities for elderly residents can be a vital part of healthy living. Don't hesitate to give it a try, even if you prefer to connect with the plants in a more laid-back way.
LakeHouse New Holstein's gardening club is only one of our outstanding community features. We also host many other activities such as games, classes, and community outings. Add these exciting adventures to our personalized resident care plans, and you'll enjoy every moment with us to the fullest.
Schedule a tour and we'd love to show you what our community in New Holstein, WI, is all about!