Hawkhill Community Association Ltd.
January 2023 Newsletter
Hawkhill Community Association offers a wide range of facilities and activities to support individuals and the local community. Contact us today for more information! 01259 218139
Photo via Pexels
Nurturing Nature: How Gardening Supports Mental and Physical Health
Having a green thumb isn't just good for your yard — it can also have a positive effect on your health. Of course, tending greenery is hard work, and if you've never planted a garden before, you may wonder if it's worth it. As it turns out, improvements to your property like adding a garden space can increase the value of your home. (Remember to keep track of your improvements by taking before and after photos and keep receipts to help quantify the increase in value.)
What’s more, growing plants offers a variety of many other benefits. Today, Hawkhill Community Association is here to outline some of them.
Grow Your Own Healthy Snacks
Vegetables and fruits are a key part of a healthy diet, and having your own kitchen garden ensures you have access to fresh food. Many high-nutrient fruits and vegetables are relatively easy to grow:
You can also grow herbs to enhance your cooking:
Impact the Environment With Bee-Friendly Plants
Bees are vital to our ecosystems since they pollinate the majority of plants. You can support the environment by planting in a bee-friendly way:
Get Your Daily Dose of Vitamin D
Vitamin D is essential to healthy living, as it plays a vital role in several bodily functions:
Sunlight is a phenomenal source of vitamin D, and gardening ensures you spend time outdoors. Remember to wear UV protection such as sunscreen to prevent premature aging and skin cancer.
Practice Mindfulness
Mindfulness is a technique that helps us connect with our bodies, environment and present moment. It's an excellent way to care for your mental health, as it's proven to reduce stress and even anxiety.
Meditation, drawing, and breathing exercises are all popular forms of mindfulness, but they don't always work for people who like to be up and moving. If you fall into this category, you may benefit from mindful gardening. To tend your plants mindfully, focus on your senses:
If you find your mind wandering, that's OK. Introspection is another form of mindfulness, as it's awareness of your inner world.
Work Out in a Fun Way
Not everyone enjoys hitting the gym, yet regular exercise is critical for maintaining a healthy weight and general wellness. Good Earth Plants notes that gardening is an excellent alternative, as it works a variety of muscles while delivering tangible results. It even incorporates all three fitness types recommended by experts:
Reduce Your Risk of Dementia
Gardening doesn't just strengthen your muscles — it can also bolster your mental faculties. In fact, research cited by Thrive Global indicates that gardening can reduce your risk of developing dementia by 36%.
Form Connections in Your Community
Loneliness can drastically affect mental health, so forming connections and finding community is essential. While gardening may seem like an isolated activity, it can actually be a catalyst for connection. To find your people, try the following:
It's never too late to reap the benefits of gardening. If you're a beginner, just start a few hardy plants. You'll see a big difference in your well-being even if your patch is small.
- Jack Norton, Author : How Gardening Supports Mental and Physical Health
Having a green thumb isn't just good for your yard — it can also have a positive effect on your health. Of course, tending greenery is hard work, and if you've never planted a garden before, you may wonder if it's worth it. As it turns out, improvements to your property like adding a garden space can increase the value of your home. (Remember to keep track of your improvements by taking before and after photos and keep receipts to help quantify the increase in value.)
What’s more, growing plants offers a variety of many other benefits. Today, Hawkhill Community Association is here to outline some of them.
Grow Your Own Healthy Snacks
Vegetables and fruits are a key part of a healthy diet, and having your own kitchen garden ensures you have access to fresh food. Many high-nutrient fruits and vegetables are relatively easy to grow:
- Watermelon
- Pumpkin
- Cucumber
- Cauliflower
- Carrot
- Garlic
- Onion
- Tomatoes
- Potatoes
- Peppers
You can also grow herbs to enhance your cooking:
- Oregano
- Lemon balm
- Cilantro
- Basil
Impact the Environment With Bee-Friendly Plants
Bees are vital to our ecosystems since they pollinate the majority of plants. You can support the environment by planting in a bee-friendly way:
- Avoid insecticides containing clothianidin, imidacloprid, and neonicotinoids
- Never spray open flowers with insecticides
- Plant a mixture of annuals and perennials, so your garden blooms year-round
Get Your Daily Dose of Vitamin D
Vitamin D is essential to healthy living, as it plays a vital role in several bodily functions:
- Reducing inflammation
- Improving muscle function
- Correcting mineral imbalances
- Supporting the immune system
- Keeping nerve receptors healthy
Sunlight is a phenomenal source of vitamin D, and gardening ensures you spend time outdoors. Remember to wear UV protection such as sunscreen to prevent premature aging and skin cancer.
Practice Mindfulness
Mindfulness is a technique that helps us connect with our bodies, environment and present moment. It's an excellent way to care for your mental health, as it's proven to reduce stress and even anxiety.
Meditation, drawing, and breathing exercises are all popular forms of mindfulness, but they don't always work for people who like to be up and moving. If you fall into this category, you may benefit from mindful gardening. To tend your plants mindfully, focus on your senses:
- The feel of the earth under your hands
- The scent of flowers as you weed
- The taste of water as you rehydrate
- The sight of colorful blooms
- The sound of wind rustling leaves
If you find your mind wandering, that's OK. Introspection is another form of mindfulness, as it's awareness of your inner world.
Work Out in a Fun Way
Not everyone enjoys hitting the gym, yet regular exercise is critical for maintaining a healthy weight and general wellness. Good Earth Plants notes that gardening is an excellent alternative, as it works a variety of muscles while delivering tangible results. It even incorporates all three fitness types recommended by experts:
- Endurance
- Strength
- Flexibility
Reduce Your Risk of Dementia
Gardening doesn't just strengthen your muscles — it can also bolster your mental faculties. In fact, research cited by Thrive Global indicates that gardening can reduce your risk of developing dementia by 36%.
Form Connections in Your Community
Loneliness can drastically affect mental health, so forming connections and finding community is essential. While gardening may seem like an isolated activity, it can actually be a catalyst for connection. To find your people, try the following:
- Take a class
- Volunteer at a community garden
- Visit farmers' markets
- Join a social media group
It's never too late to reap the benefits of gardening. If you're a beginner, just start a few hardy plants. You'll see a big difference in your well-being even if your patch is small.
- Jack Norton, Author : How Gardening Supports Mental and Physical Health
| jan_2023_newsletter.pdf |
Notice: The track that has been formed across our grass leading to Morrisons is NOT an official footpath. If you choose to use this route, you do so at your own risk. The safer option to ensure you do not injure yourself is to Go down to the main road and use the pavement. Please, particularly as the ground can be wet and slippy if raining, use the proper access to Morrisons via the pavement.
Based in Alloa, Clackmannanshire, Hawkhill Community Centre is a busy community centre situated in the heart of Hawkhill housing estate. We offer a wide range of facilities and activities to support individuals and the local community. Please explore our website to find more.
2020 Annual Accounts and Annual Report
| annual_report_for_print.pdf |
| arhca31032020-signed.pdf |
