The health benefits of #04vegetablegardens

Jan 31, 2022 Lifestyle PLAY

Visit Higuerón West and you will notice that, in addition to landscaped gardens and beautifully curated natural green zones, this eco lifestyle urbanisation also has its very own #04vegetablegardens, one of the #23reasonswhy this is one of the healthiest living environments on the Costa del Sol.

 

The vegetable gardens at Higuerón West represent a well-maintained communal space where residents can grow and share vegetables, salads and herbs, adding not only to the availability of locally produced fresh produce, but also enhancing the sense of community.

 

Benefits of home growing

We’re great fans of vegetable gardens, as studies have shown that being surrounded by natural flowers and plants reduces stress and adds to health and wellbeing by creating an enhanced sense of relaxation and harmony. Apart from reducing tension and anxiety, tending to gardens and growing your own food enhances your self-esteem and boosts the mood in a similar way to walking, cycling or playing sport – and while you’re busy with your hands within this garden environment, the exposure to Vitamin D increases the body’s calcium levels, building stronger bones and immune systems.

 

Of course, just being active in the outdoors is beneficial, if for no other reason than the greater oxygen intake, and this again is related to improved sleep quantity and quality. When the body is tired but the mind relaxed, it’s easy to fall asleep and maintain an undisturbed cycle that leaves you feeling refreshed and energetic when you wake up. Being active outdoors working on your vegetable garden facilitates this, while the pulling, digging, reaching, twisting and bending involved in gardening creates a light aerobic exercise routine, aiding general heart and lung health.

 

These are just the main benefits of #04vegetablegardens. In addition to vegetables, salads, herbs and even flowers, residents also have access to communal citrus orchards and rosemary-lined pathways that are a floral delight to wander through. The array of indigenous plants to be enjoyed here includes lavender, thyme, lemon balm and mint, whose fragrances add a Mediterranean backdrop to life at Higuerón West – one of the most pleasant (and healthy) places to live on the Costa del Sol!