Each Saturday in August we will devote the Daily Tip to the benefits of gardening. Enjoy!

Gardening is a great way to connect with the earth, reduce stress, increase creativity and promote relaxation. Three good reasons you should get down and dirty in a garden:

1. Gardening is therapeutic. There is even an emerging medical art known as horticultural therapy. People with all types of health conditions, schoolchildren, even prison inmates, are encouraged to learn about new plants and envision creative ways to arrange them in the ground as a way to provide a sense of accomplishment and improve self-image.
2. Gardening is spiritual. Aside from delighting your senses with color, texture and scents, gardening enables you to connect with nature. Digging your hands through the soil and handling delicate plants can feed the soul.
3. Gardening is exercise. Gardening is a low-impact activity that improves flexibility through bending and stretching, and has been shown to lower blood pressure and cholesterol levels. However, don't let it replace your walking regime or other regular aerobic exercise - do both, for maximum benefits.

Need Help Relaxing?
Relaxation - along with a healthy diet and regular exercise - is vital to optimum health. Learn more about relaxation and the spirit, and how they affect the mind and body - join Dr. Weil’s My Optimum Health Plan.

Sponsor

Want to get "healthy in a hurry"?

Sign up for the "EatingWell This Week" Free E-Newsletter - full of in-season recipes, healthy-in-a-hurry suppers and EatingWell Test Kitchen cooking techniques and tips, product and tool ratings. And get a free gift--a digital mini-cookbook plus a chance to win EatingWell's "Healthy in a Hurry Cookbook."

Click here for free e-newsletter plus chance to win free cookbook.