Gardening gives older people a ‘zest for life’

Gardeners are more likely to be organised and optimistic than non-gardeners.

London: Want to feel younger, healthier and more alive? Start gardening, suggests a new research.

Researchers from two universities in Texas found that a regular spot of gardening gives the over-50s more of a ‘zest for life’ than those who don’t have green fingers. Gardeners are also more likely to be organised and optimistic than non-gardeners, say scientists. Researchers analysed almost 300 people over 50, dividing them into gardeners and non- gardeners. They found that 71 per cent of gardeners said they did not ‘feel old’ compared with 57 per cent of non-gardeners. The gardeners also felt more energetic, got more exercise and were shown to be more mentally active. There were also higher scores for “life satisfaction” among gardeners – while they were also more likely to eat fresh fruit and vegetables. “These factors, combined with higher physical activity, result in healthier lifestyles and increased quality of life,” the Daily Express quoted the researchers as saying. ANI