Stress is part of our daily lives, and a little pressure from time to time is not harmful. However, when prolonged, it can have adverse effects on our wellbeing. Prolonged stress may lead to depression, heart diseases, obesity, anxiety among many more. It is your responsibility to take care of yourself to live a healthy life, and the need to reduce stress has led many people into different calming activities including gardening, meditation, and yoga. Interacting with nature can lower your stress levels, and it does not require you to break the piggy bank. Gardening is not only therapeutic, but also a fun activity to do. It leaves your yard looking beautiful; it helps care for the environment and also gives you a supply of fresh vegetables. However, gardening is a hands-on activity; you get exposed to toxins, dirt, and bacteria. This is why it is important to take the following precautions and care for your hands while gardening.
Focus on Your Cuticles
Cuticles are an essential part of your nails. They serve as the growth matrix; therefore, it is paramount that you take care of them. You are advised not to cut your cuticles because it exposes your nails to bacteria. Use a skin moisturizer regularly; apply it after gardening. A hot wax treatment is also a great way to moisturize your cuticles. It is important to remind your manicurist to be gentle with your cuticles. Take some time once a week to push your cuticles back using a wooden orange stick gently, then apply cuticle cream thoroughly.
Invest in Quality Skincare Products
As you spend time tending to your garden, your hands are exposed to fertilizers, weeds, small cuts, scrapes, irritants, and insect bites. Without proper care, a gardener’s hands become dry and cracked; that is why it is essential to keep them soft by keeping them moisturized all the time. Investing in lotions, gardening gloves, sunscreen, antibacterial soap, nail hardeners, and other essential products is prudent for a gardener. When shopping for care products for your skin, ensure you know what works for your skin and what does not. Gardening gloves can be uncomfortable, so thick surgical gloves are a good alternative. When buying lotion, ensure that it contains glycerin to help keep your hands soft. A good sunscreen will also help you to prevent premature aging, sunburns, and sun damages.
Pamper Yourself
We all need time to take care of ourselves so we can unwind, relax and rejuvenate. After you take care of your garden, it is not unreasonable to let someone else tend to your hands to ensure that they stay healthy, clean, and presentable. A good manicure session will leave you with soft hands that you will be proud for people to touch. This will also take away any dirt or grime that may have crept underneath your fingernail beds while gardening.
Studies show that Serotonin bacterium is a natural antidepressant found in soil. Human health depends on the amount of natural microbiome we infiltrate. Gardening is an activity you can enjoy in the busy and congested urban life and enjoy the benefits of this bacterium without the side effects of chemical antidepressants.