Why Gardening Is the Perfect Hobby for Retirement

Retirement marks a new chapter in your life, a time to turn over a new leaf and explore new activities. Retirees pursue all sorts of new hobbies and interests in their newfound time-rich lives, with golf, baking, and arts and crafts being some of the more obvious ones. Gardening is an enjoyable pastime that offers numerous benefits for seniors. A study by the NZ General Social Survey found that approximately 60% of retirees in New Zealand consider gardening one of their top three leisure activities.

Whether you’re a budding or an experienced gardener, gardening is an ideal retirement hobby. It’s fun, educational, sustainable, and keeps you active. New Zealand is home to some of the world’s most beautiful landscapes and botanical gardens, so it’s the perfect place to be inspired to create your own backyard oasis. It’s a perfect place to relax, read, reminisce, chat with loved ones, or tend to your plants.

Gardening in retirement is an exciting activity for anyone passionate about botany, the outdoors, or cooking. It allows you to grow fresh produce, make productive use of your time, and enhance your overall well-being. Don’t let the myth of needing a green thumb deter you from trying something new. It’s time to stop and smell the roses and discover what gardening offers. Here are the top reasons why gardening is your perfect retirement hobby.

Gardening Boosts Physical Fitness

For those who enjoy staying active, gardening provides an excellent, low-impact workout that improves flexibility and mobility, as it involves various movements, such as planting seeds, bending, lifting, mulching, digging, and harvesting vegetables. According to the Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans, “Gardening is a muscle-strengthening activity with a low risk of injury, suitable and recommended for older adults.” 

These tasks help strengthen and increase flexibility in your joints, bones, and muscles, making gardening especially beneficial for those who may not engage in more intense physical activities. Remember to consider any health concerns and adapt activities accordingly. Gardening for 30 minutes can burn up to 300 calories; splitting tasks into shorter sessions can help avoid fatigue.

Gardening is a Great Natural Source of Vitamin D

Gardening offers an excellent opportunity to enjoy the morning sun and boost your Vitamin D levels. Vitamin D is crucial for bone health and mood improvement. It aids calcium absorption, which is vital as bones weaken with age, reducing the risk of osteoporosis and arthritis. Use sunscreen and wear a hat to protect your skin from harmful rays. Gardening early in the morning can provide a healthy start to your day.

Gardening Improves Balance and Coordination

Falls are the leading cause of injury among adults aged 65 and over, with over 14 million seniors across the globe reporting falls every year. Gardening helps improve balance and coordination through bending, reaching, and squatting, and studies show that gardening can reduce the risk of falls. Use lightweight gardening tools and proper gear to prevent slips and falls, and consider gardening with a companion or informing your caretaker about your schedule.

Gardening Encourages a Sustainable Lifestyle

Gardening in retirement promotes a healthy diet by providing fresh, homegrown produce. Growing your fruits, herbs, and vegetables saves money and enhances your meals. Enjoy the fruits of your labour by incorporating fresh produce into your meals. Depending on your location in New Zealand, you can grow various fruits and vegetables, such as kiwis, kumara, persimmons, and berries. Citrus and tropical plants thrive in different regions, so choose plants suited to your area.

Gardening Improves Sleep and Mental Health

As we age, it is not uncommon to face sleep challenges due to ongoing health conditions, mental health issues or cognitive impairment like dementia. Retirement can disrupt sleep patterns, leading to increased daytime napping and difficulty sleeping at night. Gardening, especially in the afternoon, has a calming effect on both body and mind, which can help improve sleep quality.

A recent study published in the Journal of Affective Disorders found that gardeners experience fewer sleep issues than those who do not engage in physical activities. Gardening can improve sleep quality and reduce problems like daytime drowsiness, sleep apnea, and insomnia.

Gardening Stimulates Creativity and Brain Health

Gardening stimulates creativity and cognitive function. Planning, designing, and caring for your garden keeps your brain active. Gardening also provides rich sensory experiences like touching soil, smelling flowers, and tasting produce. This multisensory engagement helps keep your mind sharp. Gardening is a powerful stress reliever that promotes calm, improves mood, and boosts self-esteem. Studies have shown that it is an effective therapy for enhancing mental health among older people.

Gardening Increases Social Interaction

Your garden is more than just a space for fresh produce and blooms; it’s also a place to make lasting memories with loved ones. Host tea parties or backyard weddings. Gardening in retirement can help if you’re feeling isolated and foster social connections. Join community gardening or share gardening tips with neighbours to build a supportive network and improve overall well-being.

Conclusion:

Gardening in your retirement offers numerous benefits beyond physical and mental well-being. It positively impacts your lifestyle by being cost-effective and enhancing social interaction. While retirement can bring significant changes, gardening helps you grow and thrive, providing a new sense of purpose and joy in this new phase of life.