Guest Post: Community gardens are vital to your health & community

Your garden plot is not only a labor of love, but also a powerful opportunity to serve the community and spark something much greater, as I’ve seen firsthand through my close friend’s experience.

Your garden plot is a true labor of love. I know that because my close friend has been sharing with me all about her plot since she took ownership of it a few months ago. Since then, we've discussed the various ways it can benefit the community. As a master-certified health coach and outsider, I wanted to share my perspective about how important what you’re doing is, and how it can be a catalyst for something much bigger if you want it to be.

1. It makes healthy eating more accessible. Sharing the things you have

grown and teaching others how to grow them helps people add whole foods to

their diets. You can introduce them to new things they might love and offer to

teach them how to grow something small in their home if they are interested.

2. Eating fresh foods has long term health benefits. Speaking of adding

healthy items to diets, one of the best things we can do for our health is add

fresh, seasonal foods to our meals. They can help us manage chronic illnesses

like diabetes, obesity, and hypertension. They reduce our chance of

cardiovascular disease, which is the number one killer for men and women in the

US, and improve our immune function. All these impressive benefits come from

simply eating nutrient-dense foods.

3. Helps people to feel mentally and physically better. We all know that when

we eat better, we feel better mentally and physically. Plus, you have the added

benefit of being outside in the sun and doing physically demanding tasks, which

help keep your mind sharp and your bones strong.

4. Reduces stress and improves mood. Time in nature reduces stress levels

and boosts moods. Gardening is known to be calming and meditative, plus

growing something gives us a feeling of accomplishment. All of these things

together help improve overall health and wellness on top of helping the

community.

Your community garden is a source of health, happiness, and good food.

I am grateful for my neighbor teaching me about her garden and helping

me understand the big impact it has on the community.

Lisa Ranieri

Master Certified Health Coach

Professional Health Coaching