The Best Kept Gardening Secrets

This time of year, gardens are in full bloom, and during these beautiful summer months the best part of the day is the chance to play outside and get dirty—especially after a stressful day at work. The whole process of planting seeds and consuming fresh fruits and vegetables from your garden has many benefits, some of which you are probably very familiar with, and others which may surprise you... 

1. Happy as a Pig in Dirt

A strain of bacterium in soil has been found to trigger the release of serotonin in the body. This chemical relays signals regarding mood, sleep and learning from one area of the brain to another. In short, contact with soil through gardening can elevate mood and decrease anxiety! 

2. Think Mindfulness

The act of gardening can be very meditative. Meditation can give you a sense of calmness, peacefulness and balance, benefiting both emotional well-being and overall health. Meditation helps increase self-awareness, allowing you to focus on the present instead of the future. And these benefits don't end when your meditation session ends. The effects carry you more calmly through your day, helping alleviate anxiety or sleep problems.

3. Little Picky Eaters

Getting your child to try something new can be frustrating. It can make mealtimes stressful for you, your child and the rest of the family. Try getting them involved in the food preparation by helping you garden – children are more likely to try different foods when they know where it came from. 

Happy Gardening!

This article can be found on stands until July 31st, 2015 at any Choices Markets

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