Gardening

Spring in your step! 

Now that Spring is here a lot of people will be migrating back into their gardens and up into the hills. 

Being outside more has so many fantastic benefits: 

• Absorbing Vitamin D. This is essential for your immune system, and allows your body to absorb other important minerals, such as calcium. Note: If you always wear sunscreen no matter what the levels of sun Vitamin D cannot be absorbed.
• Decreases anxiety by increasing serotonin levels.
• Getting outside in the morning helps reset your body clock, this improves your sleep, making it more likely you will go to bed at a sensible hour and get those all important REM hours!
• Studies show being in the great outdoor improves focus. Just a few minutes in your lunch break is going help with that afternoon slump.

Your most likely going to be lifting, bending, and reaching more, this is fantastic  for your body, but it can be a shock to the system. 

Here are a few tips to get you back in the swing of things.

1. Take your time. This is a time to be enjoyed. Start by being mindful of how you are doing the simple things such as picking up those shears. Basic I know, but it needs to be said! 
2. Get help when you need it. Got a stubborn root that isn’t budging? Don’t keep yanking on it, that pressure you are putting on your back is going to be sore in the morning, especially if it works and the root gives and you go flying! 
3. Take water breaks. This might be difficult if you’re really enjoying yourself and not feeling sore, but not only does it give you time to step back and admire your work it will also give your body a chance to relax. Also keep hydrated!
4. Gentle stretching. Once you have finished try gently bending forward like you are gong to touch your toes, just hang there for a few secs before coming up. Stretch out those arms by bringing them one by one across your front.
5. Use products that will aid you. Cushion for your knees when weeding, a walking stick close by to help you get up, use a smaller watering can instead of lugging around a huge one.

All pretty simple but will defiantly help over the coming weeks and months. 

I hope you are all enjoying the change in weather and getting out more. This is defiantly my favourite time of the year, I started my vegetable patch last Spring and I am enjoying seeing things come back to life.