“It is only possible to homestead and grow your own food if you live out in the sticks.”
Stop right there! Homesteading and growing your food at home is something you can do even if you live in the heart of a bustling city! It’s true; you have to be a little more creative if you only have a small yard, balcony, or window ledge to work with. But getting over a challenge is part of the fun!
Let’s answer the million-dollar question. What is homesteading?
Homesteading is:
- Living a self-sufficient life
- Living sustainably
So what’s involved in living self-sufficiently and sustainably? It means choosing to grow some of your own food instead of buying everything. It is a lifestyle of eating less processed food and, as a result, eating healthily. To do this, you might plant a garden or even raise animals on your land. It could also mean making and repairing your clothes and consuming clean cosmetics.
What Are the Benefits of Homesteading?
Living a homesteading life does require more planning and work. So, what makes it all worthwhile? Here are just some of the benefits of homesteading at your fingertips.
Time outdoors
In this day and age, you might find that you’re not spending as much time outdoors as you’d like. Homesteading, especially gardening, gives me a reason to get outside and soak in that all-important vitamin D.
Enjoyable exercise
If your life is a little more stationary than it used to be, you need to start homesteading. Taking care of your plants will have you up and about and keep you active. Gardening helps you to use every muscle group in your body. Try working in the garden for an hour today, and you’ll undoubtedly be feeling it tomorrow! Who needs a gym membership when you’re homesteading?
Memory protection
Homesteading such as sewing and knitting can help to protect your memory. The exercise improves cognitive function in the brain.
Mood boost
Studies in the US have found that gardening helps to improve your mood. It allows people to deal with anxiety and feel more positive. Now you know where to find me if I’m feeling a little down in the dumps!
Better family connections
Gardening with your children or with your partner can help to improve family relationships. Spending time outside on projects can help you improve your problem-solving skills and foments a warm environment for open communication.
These are just some of the ways you will benefit from homesteading. It opens up a whole new world of positive experiences. And with a list of pros like the ones mentioned above, I’m sure there will be nothing holding you back from starting homesteading asap.
