1) Gardening can provide both physical and mental health benefits, but it is important to use proper body mechanics and take breaks to avoid injury when gardening. The article provides several tips for gardening safely such as warming up before starting, changing activities frequently, and stopping if pain occurs. 2) Gardening has additional benefits beyond physical exercise, as being in nature can help reduce stress and provide mental relaxation. Gardening can also aid in recovery from medical conditions. 3) Eating homegrown fruits and vegetables from one's garden can support a healthier diet and help prevent diseases since the foods are fresher and less processed than store-bought options. Growing herbs can also enhance flavors and reduce salt intake

1. April 2011
Dickey & LaMoure County
Parish Nurse
Spring Gardening
Issue 1, Volume 5
“I went down to the grove of walnut trees and out to the valley to see the new spring growth, to see
whether the grapevines had budded or the pomegranates were in bloom.” Song of Solomon 6:11 NLT
Spring gives us such pleas- pace and time schedule to Take frequent breaks: By
ure as we see everything allow enjoyment of the stopping to stretch, getting
coming back to life, and it’s a task and minimize a drink or just enjoying the
reminder of the new life that potential injuries. progress every half hour,
we have through Christ’s you minimize your chance of
Remember good body
resurrection. Gardening is a injury or dehydration.
mechanics: When lifting
pleasure for most of us, but
heavy bags of dirt or Stop gardening if fatigued
it is also an exercise and can
mulch keep your back or in pain: That “one last
lead to injuries. Raking,
straight back, bend your thing” when tired leads to Caption describing picture or
In this Issue:
mulching, planting, trim-
knees, lift with the legs, injury. If pain occurs, stop! graphic.
ming and digging are good
and hold objects close to If pain persists, apply ice to
physical activity yet can
your body. If shoveling, the affected area for 15-20
result in pain and stiffness Gardening Tips 1
lift the dirt and turn the minutes at a time to reduce
in our neck, shoulder, elbow,
entire body to empty it – inflammation. DO NOT
wrist, knees and back if we
don’t twist. USE HEAT – it increases Exercise 1
over-extend ourselves. To
the inflammatory process.
enjoy the flowers, vegetables Change it up: Use different
If pain persists, contact the
and fruits without pain try muscle groups and mini- Stress Reliever 2
doctor.
these tips from Dr. William mize the repetitive stress
Madosky, a St. Louis placed on joints and We can spend time in the
chiropractor. extremities by frequently garden appreciating the glory Diet Changes 2
changing activities. of God’s creation, while caring
Treat gardening as a
for our body at the same time.
sport: Warm up and Use a cushion, stool, or Life Cycles 2
stretch the muscles before small bench when (Source:
beginning. weeding: The support www.drmadosky.com/
helps reduce stress placed References 2
Be realistic: Plan your articles.html )
on knees and spine from
work carefully to avoid
gardening movements. Colon-Rectal Cancer 2
injury. Set a moderate
We CARE about your
“Now learn a lesson from the fig tree. When its branches bud and its leaves COLON, do you?
begin to sprout, you know that summer is near.” Matthew 24:32 NLT • Parish Nurse invites you
to participate in a short
survey to access your
Gardening offers quite the dormant over the winter. from gardening can help you colon health
physical workout. Digging Heavy watering cans become prevent heart disease,
up soil, moving it around, dumbbells as you water your obesity, and hypertension so • Parish Nurse encourages
and lugging bags of fertilizer plants and work your biceps. use good body mechanics, you to learn about your
or mulch provides good Gardening also provides soak up some sunshine, and colon cancer risk factors,
cardio exercise. Planting therapy for those recovering start your journey to health. especially if you are over
seeds, blubs, or bushes from stroke or who need to age 50
makes you stretch and use improve motor skills and • Call your Parish Nurse for
muscle groups that went range of motion. Exercise more information

2. “For I am like a tree whose roots reach the water, whose branches are refreshed with the dew.” Job
29:19 NLT
When you are stressed, do you find
nature helpful? Research shows
that the green of nature is calming,
the sound of water falling is respite and hope this creates de-
relaxing, and the scents of herbs creases one’s stress levels, lowers
like lavender are soothing. These the blood pressure, and eases the
benefits are used in many public pain of grief. Whether you want to
and private gardens to promote enjoy a pretty place, lower blood
mental and spiritual healing for pressure, or gain solitude when
patients with chronic disease, grieving, gardens will offer you
cancer, or mental illness. For peace, renewal, and hope if you
example a park bench alongside take the time.
flowing water encourages one to sit *Are Your Roots Healthy?*
down, contemplate their situation, Come to CHURCH -May 1st
or meditate to achieve peace. The
“A good tree produces good fruit, and a bad tree produces bad fruit. A good tree can’t
produce bad fruit, and a bad tree can’t produce good fruit.” Matthew 7:17, 18 NLT
When making a dietary change to into a diet when they are the result
healthier foods, consider a garden. of the hard work of your own per-
Fruits and vegetables always taste sonal garden. If you grow herbs, Sunday May 1st
better from a garden than a hot- you can enhance the taste of your Wellness Assessment &
house since they can ripen natu- other food and decrease the use of Presentation at local Parishes
rally and are less processed than salt as a flavoring. Having plenty
Colon Rectal Cancer
those purchased in stores. It’s also of vegetables and herbs right out-
#1 Cause of Cancer LaMoure
easier to introduce healthy foods side your door will help battle the
County and #2 Dickey County
risks of heart disease and cancer so
start planning yours today.
“I am the one who answers your prayers and cares for you. I am like a tree that is always
green; all your fruit comes from me.” Hosea 14:8 NLT
We can learn lessons about God
from our garden since the cycle of bloom and bear God’s love to all of
plant life is just like the cycle for those around us.
References / Resources:
people. The process of preparing,
www.nationalgardenmonth.o
planting, cultivating, and harvest-
rg/index.php?page=educators
ing takes great care and can’t be – information on gardening
rushed. Plants need the right soil, for youth, educators, and
mixture of water, and amount of communities on the benefits
sunlight to grow to their full poten- of gardening
tial. God does the same for us. He www.google.com – search
offers us His love, adds His pres- gardens, healing gardens,
ence, and encourages us through community gardens, organic
our faith, church, and family. Like gardens, home extensions
the plant, our spiritual life is a jour-
ney through life’s ups and downs.
With God’s guidance we come to full
Page 2 Dickey & LaMoure County