We’ve reported often, both in our book and here, here and here, on the Blue Zone approach to longevity. Physical activity is one important component, of course, and the Blue Zone philosophy is to incorporate it into daily activity. People in the Blue Zones don’t go to the gym, they get their exercise throughout their daily routine.
This extends to what we would consider recreational pastimes or hobbies. Blue Zone founder Dan Beuttner, as reported here, recommends one hobby in particular: “In every Blue Zone, almost everybody who is making it into their nineties and hundreds, not only garden their whole life, but continue to do so. And it might be because it’s low intensity physical activity.”
Gardening gives you a range of motion — bending over, squatting, digging, carrying. “I argue that gardening is probably much better than joining a gym, the best longevity exercise you could do,” Beuttner says.
Gardening is good for your mental health, too, and we know that optimism and positivity are important contributors to longevity. According to Beuttner, studies show that “when you’re gardening, your cortisol levels or your stress hormones drop.” The article cites a research study: “A King’s Fund report on the health benefits of gardening recently unearthed a string of benefits associated with the activity, such as reductions in depression and anxiety and improved social functioning.”
If you’ve never gardened before, it might seem a bit intimidating. What’s the best way to get started? What equipment do you need? What pitfalls should you avoid? Fortunately, there’s a ton of good information out there. Here’s just a small sampling:
Tips for beginning your new favorite hobby
How to make gardening easier as you age
How to grow your own food: 8 tips to get started on backyard gardening