Love the earth the soil and it will give you a great blessing

1. Stress-relief and self-esteem

Heart health and stroke risk

Hand strength and dexterity

Brain health and Alzheimer’s risk

Immune regulation

Depression and mental health

 There are plenty of reasons that gardening always tops the lists of favorite American pastimes: the beauty of the result, the joy of connecting to nature, being able to grow your own (and more delicious) food and herbs and, of course, relaxation.

But beyond that, this hobby offers direct health benefits to avid and casual gardeners alike.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention labels gardening “moderate cardiovascular exercise.” Former National Gardening Magazine editor Dan Hickey says that according to studies he has participated in, 45 minutes of gardening can burn as many calories as 30 minutes of heart-healthy aerobics.

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The National Institute of Health goes so far as to recommend 30 to 45 minutes of gardening three to five times a week as part of a good strategy to combat obesity. If you are pressed for time or can’t physically manage 30 minutes at a pop, you can still benefit by breaking up your exercise into smaller portions. For instance, you can do 15 minutes in the morning and 15 minutes in the late afternoon. This way you can also avoid working in the heat and humidity of midday. And the cherry on top: Research shows that gardeners have an increased zest for life, sleep better, have a lowered risk for osteoporosis and diabetes and, according to a new study, have better sex lives.