Gardening has long been considered a positive activity with many physical and mental health benefits. Often referred to as part of a wider horticultural therapy, gardening can help to relieve the symptoms of anxiety by interrupting harmful ruminations, lowering cortisol the stress hormone, combating depression and improving attention.
Gardening is a great way to introduce physical activity into daily life as it is an enjoyable activity with plenty of rewards. Pruning bushes, planting and weeding will allow you to use different muscle groups but are activities that do not have a deadline. You can take your time and work at your own pace and rest when needed perhaps to absorb some vitamin D from the sun if it all gets too much.
National Growing for Wellbeing Week is a campaign set up by Life at No.27 to support children and adults around their mental health. But for some of the older generations and those with physical ailments, such as arthritis, fibromyalgia, lupus, and other conditions affecting muscles and joints, the thought of gardening can be quite daunting.
There are natural products available over the counter that can work to relieve some of these symptoms. Modern research has led to a surge in green-lipped mussel extract products arriving on the market. Pernaton is an over-the-counter cooling gel, also available as food supplements that improve joint health, containing green-lipped mussel extract formulated to improve joint mobility.
A source of high-grade glycosaminoglycans and contains omega-3 fatty acids, 11 different minerals and 18 vital amino acids essential for joint health. The gel also provides external, impact support for direct-to-joint relief.
Shirley Peet, from Pernaton, commented: ‘We have been working to understand the complexities of muscle and joint conditions and have found that the capsules and the gel provide positive results for those that have tested them. If you are planning to get out in the garden this National Growing for Wellbeing Week, but are afeared of aches or pain, applying a little of the gel could make all the difference. No matter your age.’
Additional support, advice and useful information are available here.
