Healthy Gardening

Healthy gardening encompasses many areas including stretching, exercise, fluids, lotions and garden safety.

Before beginning any of your gardening chores, consider stretching for a few minutes to warm up your muscles and prepare them for the tasks ahead.

Stretching only takes about 10-15 minutes and you'll be less likely to strain or pull a muscle.

Also, when taking a break, do a few more stretches to keep yourself limbered up for the next task.

Gardening can be an excellent form of healthy exercise.

All that bending and stretching is good for your flexibility. Add to that the weight lifting you get in by hefting those 40# bags of soil or mulch.

Depending upon the type and intensity of the activity you can get a pretty good workout while gardening.

Remember the importance of taking in fluids when you are gardening.

It's easy to get caught up and lose track of time when pulling an area of weeds and enjoying the warm sunlight on your back.

You'll want to be sure to stay hydrated by drinking something from time to time while you're outside.

Speaking of that sunlight on your back, take any necessary precautions from receiving too much sun especially early in the season or during the hottest part of the day.

You might want to use a sunscreen or sunblock to help protect you. Sunhats can also be helpful in protection from too much sun.

Garden safety is another aspect of staying healthy while gardening. This can include wearing appropriate garden apparel, proper use and storage of tools, ear protection and safety goggles if you use power equipment in your garden.

Keeping these things in mind can provide you with many safe, healthy days of working and playing in your garden.