Gardening and Outdoor Activities for Physical and Mental Health
Gardening and Outdoor Activities for Physical and Mental Health
Kristi visits with Lynn Blankenship, Metcalfe County Extension Agent for Family and Consumer Sciences to discuss gardening and outdoor activities for physical and mental health.
The Biophilia Hypothesis theorizes that humans are innately connected to the natural environment in which they evolved and need to connect with it for wellness. The vitamin D mechanism and why safe exposure to outdoor light is important. Vitamin D forms naturally in the body through exposure to sunlight. Vitamin D plays a significant role in mental and physical healthiness of the person. Humans need to spend about 15 – 20 minutes outdoors with about 20 % (face, neck, arms and lower legs/feet) of their skin exposed daily, for the body to make sufficient vitamin D. Sun exposure must be safe to protect skin from burning/possible formation of cancers, meaning that you spend only the amount of time that you can before skin begins to turn pink to avoid sun damage, then revert to skin safe sun exposure, wearing shade hat, covering exposed skin with lightweight clothing, applying Sunscreen and seeking shade. Simple tips for low maintenance gardening in limited spaces, with limited equipment include; Plant a bagged soil garden, Plant climbing vegetables, fruits or flowers on an existing fence row, Plant Wildflowers on hill sides or steep embankments, Plant a container garden, and more. Bird watching and walking meditation are also great activities for spending time outdoors.
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Warren County Cooperative Extension Service
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