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Written By: Editorial Team | Published : May 6, 2014 7:05 PM IST
Researchers have said that gardening can not only enhance home and community landscapes and provide low-cost food sources, the level of physical activity required also offers a multitude of health benefits to young adults.
Studies have confirmed that engaging in gardening can lower cholesterol and blood pressure, and increase psychological well-being. Researchers from Konkuk University and Hongik University in Seoul, South Korea, published a study in HortTechnology that evaluated the intensity of gardening activities for adults in their 20s. Study's lead author Ki-Cheol Son said that the exercise intensity of physical activity may differ between age groups and fitness levels, and there was not enough data on the metabolic equivalents of gardening tasks in different age groups to develop a garden exercise program for maintaining or improving health conditions. (Read: 20 expert tips to beat stress)
Fifteen university students in their 20s participated in the study in South Korea. Each subject performed 10 common gardening tasks in a high tunnel and in a nearby grassy area with a vegetable garden and weeds. The subjects visited the garden plot twice and performed five gardening tasks during each visit; each task lasted for 5 minutes and was followed by a 5-minute rest. Subject wore a portable telemetric calorimeter and respired into the facemask during the gardening tasks and resting periods so researchers could measure their oxygen uptake.
The subjects also wore a heart rate monitor to record heart rate data during the gardening tasks and resting periods via radiotelemetry. The research team evaluated the data and determined that all 10 gardening tasks were 'moderate- to high-intensity' physical activities for the research subjects. Planting transplants, mixing growing medium, watering, harvesting, sowing, hoeing, mulching, raking, and weeding were all classified as 'moderate intensity', while digging was a found to be a 'high-intensity' activity and was the most intense task in study. (Read: Beat stress, fatigue and depression with laughter yoga)
What are symptoms of stress?
While you might keep saying 'I am absolutely alright' to everybody else you know, you should be able to recognize the signs of stress before it takes a toll on your health.
1. Weight gain: Yeah! If you don't want to put on extra kilos, just lead a stress-free life. High levels of stress hormones cause excess fat deposition irrespective of whether you're thin or fat. Also, a few people tend to overeat under stressful situations which cause the body to store more calories instead of burning them. Refer to our mega guide on weight loss.
2. Muscle tension: Hormones released during stress not only raise your blood pressure and heart rate but also cause your muscles to tighten up. Common muscle pain due to incorrect posture at work can worsen if you are stressed. Here are 10 effective tips to prevent back pain. Read more about what could muscle pain indicate.
3. Stomach ache: Butterflies or jitters in the stomach are not just a feeling of excitement or nervousness; they're a classic symptom of stress. Studies have shown a close connection between the stomach and the brain. As per a report published by Harvard Medical School, if you suffer from gastro-related disorders like constipation, irritable bowel syndrome or acidity then your symptoms may worsen due to stress. (Read: Which of these 10 symptoms of stress do you have?)
With inputs from ANI
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