Doctor talks on health benefits of gardening

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (WKBN) — Summer is right around the corner, and for those who want to prepare a garden this year — whether it be flowers or fruits and vegetables — now is a great time to get started.

“Gardening is exercise. It works your strength and it’s a weight-bearing exercise, so it’s really good for osteoporosis prevention,” said Dr. Deborah Benzil, neurosurgeon for Cleveland Clinic. “I really like to think of gardening as the perfect exercise, particularly as we get older; that is past 30 or 35 when we really have to start thinking about these things.”

Dr. Benzil says other perks of gardening include that it doesn’t feel like exercise. Plus, people get to spend time outdoors, which research has shown can benefit a person’s mental health. There is also a sense of accomplishment from seeing the fruits of a person’s labor.

It’s also important to be careful not to get hurt when lifting heavy mulch or soil. Benzil suggests using a wheelbarrow or keeping the bags at waist level on a shelf or truck bed so they’re easier to carry.

Benzil says to try not to hunch over, which can put a strain on a person’s back. Instead, kneel down or use a stool to sit on as you’re planting. And, don’t forget to do some stretching first.

“Just like any exercise, you need to build up to it, you need to prepare for it. You want to stretch a little bit before and it’s really important to stretch after you’ve done gardening,” she advised. “Again, just like any exercise, when you’ve twisted and turned, take that 5 or 10 minutes to really allow your body to settle back into its normal positions by doing those gentle stretches.”

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