Want more zest for life? Consider gardening!

Does gardening contribute to quality of life and increased wellness for older adults?

A combination of moderate physical activity and increased consumption of fruit and vegetables has been reported to dramatically reduce an adult's risk for many chronic diseases. "Gardening is one of the most popular home-based leisure activities in the United States and has been reported as the second most common leisure activity, after walking, of adults older than age 65 years"

"More than 84% of gardeners agreed with the statement, ''I have made plans for things I'll be doing a month or a year from now'' compared with only 68% of nongardeners."

''I feel old and somewhat tired''. Gardeners disagreed with the statement at a rate of 70.9%, whereas 57.3% of nongardeners disagreed with the statement.

"Almost twice as many gardeners (38%) considered themselves to be "very active" compared with only 19.6% of nongardeners"

75% of gardeners rated their health as either ''very good'' or ''excellent'. Gardeners also reported eating more fruit and vegetables because of their exposure to gardening.

http://esciencenews.com/articles/2011/03/17/want.more.zest.life.consider.gardening