Health
Ditching the lawnmower may have unexpected health benefits, according to experts
NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!
As more homeowners embrace the trend of “Let It Bloom June” — a natural successor to the popular “No Mow May” movement — there is growing momentum on social media in support of wild lawns.
While these campaigns were launched to support pollinators and biodiversity, some experts claim that skipping the mower could actually be good for your health.
Mowing, raking, digging and lifting might seem like harmless weekend chores, but according to Dr. Michael Policastro, a board-certified emergency physician and medical toxicologist in Cincinnati, Ohio, they can be physically taxing.
BEACH DAYS BENEFIT MENTAL HEALTH AND WELL-BEING AS VISITS PROVIDE ‘SEA THERAPY’
“Lawn and garden work is physically demanding and can lead to muscle strains, back pain and joint injuries,” Policastro told Fox News Digital.
The repetitive motions, awkward postures and sometimes heavy loads involved in yard work can strain the body in ways that accumulate over time, the doctor cautioned.
Natural lawns aim to support pollinators and biodiversity, but skipping the mower could also be good for your health. (iStock)
Even the act of pushing a lawnmower may not be as harmless as it looks.
“Vibrations from lawnmowers can strain your lower back, and poor posture while pushing or steering equipment can lead to pain in your back, knees and wrists,” Policastro noted.
ANTI-AGING BENEFITS LINKED TO ONE SURPRISING HEALTH HABIT
Failing to warm up or stretch before tackling the lawn only raises the risk of fatigue or injury, which can result in chronic pain over time.
Chemical pesticides and herbicides involved in lawn care can carry their own set of risks, especially when airborne, Policastro cautioned.
CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR HEALTH NEWSLETTER
“Pesticide sprays can also drift in the air, making it easy to breathe in harmful chemicals without realizing it,” he said.
Potential benefits of wild lawns
There could be a psychological upside to ditching the mower and embracing a natural yard.
Several mental health professionals agreed that lively, unmanicured spaces can foster mindfulness and well-being.
“Vibrations from lawnmowers can stress your lower back, and poor posture while steering equipment can lead to pain in your back, knees and wrists,” a doctor cautioned. (iStock)
“Being in a green, natural environment can promote mindfulness and a sense of calm,” Greg Adelstein, a licensed mental health counselor and owner of Ellie Mental Health Clinic in Hollywood, Florida, told Fox News Digital.
“It also provides a sense of accomplishment and purpose, which can boost self-esteem.”
Letting nature reclaim the yard could also mean fewer chemicals and health hazards, some experts say.
PAIN COULD BE REDUCED BY WATCHING NATURE SCENES, NEW STUDY SUGGESTS
Fox News Digital previously reported on a study that linked exposure to nature with a reduction in people’s experience of pain. This suggests the potential health benefits of a more natural lawn that promotes everyday access to wild plants and animals.
“Gardening promotes mindfulness and can lower cortisol levels, helping you feel calmer.”
Natural lawns and gardens can also help combat loneliness by encouraging community engagement through shared gardening or conservation efforts, according to Elena Saldamando, a licensed clinical social worker and director of Ellie Mental Health Clinic in Avalon Park, Florida.
Tips for safer lawn care
Despite the potential risks, tending to a lawn can present some benefits when done safely, experts say.
“Gardening promotes mindfulness and can lower cortisol levels, helping you feel calmer,” Saldamando told Fox News Digital.
“Watching how the light hits a leaf, listening to birds chirp, feeling soil and dirt in your hands, smelling the flowers and seeing vegetables grow can be very grounding.”
Fox News Digital previously reported on a study that linked exposure to nature with a reduction in people’s experience of pain. (iStock)
To reduce the physical strain of mowing and other yard work, Policastro recommended taking regular breaks, using ergonomic tools and maintaining proper posture.
For more Health articles, visit www.foxnews.com/health
It’s also important to work in a well-ventilated area and to wear a mask or respirator when handling dusty materials or applying chemicals, according to the doctor.
Use left and right arrow keys to navigate between menu items.
Use escape to exit the menu.
Sign Up
Create a free account to access exclusive content, play games, solve puzzles, test your pop-culture knowledge and receive special offers.
Already have an account? Login
NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!
Top stories
→ Some 80-year-olds still have razor-sharp brains — and now scientists know why
→ One father’s nightly bathroom habit was missed sign of common cancer
→ 5 ways to preserve vision as you age, according to an ophthalmologist
SuperAger Ralph Rehbock sits with his wife in his home. (Shane Collins, Northwestern University)
On the lookout
→ Heart disease threat projected to climb sharply for key demographic
→ Heavy snow is recipe for serious heart attack risk, experts say
→ Flu season could linger into spring as doctors warn of second wave
A doctor says the second wave of flu season may be worse than previous years. (iStock)
Conversation starters
→ One type of olive oil has a surprising effect on brainpower in aging adults
→ Common vision issue linked to type of lighting used in homes
→ Some supplements may pose risks for people with diabetes, experts say
Medical advances
→ Alzheimer’s symptoms could be predicted years in advance through one simple test
→ Combination nasal spray vaccine could protect against COVID, flu and pneumonia
→ Weight-loss medications could impact sexual health in unexpected ways
Stat of the week
More than 59% of women may have high blood pressure by 2050, according to a new report from the American Heart Association.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE HEALTH STORIES
NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!
A new report by the American Heart Association (AHA) included some troubling predictions for the future of women’s health.
The forecast, published in the journal Circulation on Wednesday, projected increases in various comorbidities in American females by 2050.
More than 59% of women were predicted to have high blood pressure, up from less than 49% currently.
The review also projected that more than 25% of women will have diabetes, compared to about 15% today, and more than 61% will have obesity, compared to 44% currently.
As a result of these risk factors, the prevalence of cardiovascular disease and stroke is expected to rise to 14.4% from 10.7%.
The prevalence of cardiovascular disease and stroke in women is expected to rise to 14.4% from 10.7% by 2050. (iStock)
Not all trends were negative, as unhealthy cholesterol prevalence is expected to drop to about 22% from more than 42% today, the report stated.
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP
Dr. Elizabeth Klodas, a cardiologist and founder of Step One Foods in Minnesota, commented on these “jarring findings.”
“The fact that on our current trajectory, cardiometabolic disease is projected to explode in women within one generation should be a huge wake-up call,” she told Fox News Digital.
NEARLY 90% OF AMERICANS AT RISK OF SILENT DISEASE — HERE’S WHAT TO KNOW
“Hypertension, diabetes, obesity — these are all major risk factors for heart disease, and we are already seeing what those risks are driving. Heart disease is the No. 1 killer of women, eclipsing all other causes of death, including breast cancer.”
Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death for women in the U.S. and around the world. (iStock)
Klodas warned that heart disease starts early, progresses “stealthily,” and can present “out of the blue in devastating ways.”
The AHA published another study on Thursday revealing one million hospitalizations, showing that heart attack deaths are climbing among adults below the age of 55.
The more alarming finding, according to Klodas, is that young women were found more likely to die after their first heart attack than men of the same age.
DOCTOR SHARES 3 SIMPLE CHANGES TO STAY HEALTHY AND INDEPENDENT AS YOU AGE
“This is all especially tragic since heart disease is almost entirely preventable,” she said. “The earlier you start, the better.”
Children can show early evidence of plaque deposition in their arteries, which can be reversed through lifestyle changes if “undertaken early enough and aggressively enough,” according to the expert.
Moving more is one part of protecting a healthy heart, according to experts. (iStock)
Klodas suggested that rising heart conditions are associated with traditional risk factors, like smoking, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, obesity and a sedentary lifestyle.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE HEALTH STORIES
Doctors are also seeing higher rates of preeclampsia, or high blood pressure during pregnancy, as well as gestational diabetes. Klodas noted that these are sex-specific risk factors that don’t typically contribute to complications until after menopause.
The best way to protect a healthy heart is to “do the basics,” Klodas recommended, including the following lifestyle habits.
CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR HEALTH NEWSLETTER
Klodas especially emphasized making improvements to diet, as the food people eat affects “every single risk factor that the AHA’s report highlights.”
“High blood pressure, high blood sugar, high cholesterol, excess weight – these are all conditions that are driven in part or in whole by food,” she said. “We eat multiple times every single day, which means what we eat has profound cumulative effects over time.”
“Even a small improvement in dietary intake, when maintained, can have a massive positive impact on health,” a doctor said. (iStock)
“Even a small improvement in dietary intake, when maintained, can have a massive positive impact on health.”
The doctor also recommends changing out a few snacks per day for healthier choices, which has been proven to “yield medication-level cholesterol reductions” in a month.
TEST YOURSELF WITH OUR LATEST LIFESTYLE QUIZ
“Keep up that small change and, over the course of a year, you could also lose 20 pounds and reduce your sodium intake enough to avoid blood pressure-lowering medications,” Klodas added.
“Women should not view the AHA report as inevitable. We have power over our health destinies. We just need to use it.”
Related Article
Arizona Lottery Mega Millions, Pick 3 results for Feb. 27, 2026
George Dunklin’s legacy of conservation in Arkansas | Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
‘Trump’s not enough. And he knows he’s not enough’: California governor Gavin Newsom on populism, ‘purity tests’ and whether he’ll run for the presidency
Two-alarm fire damages hotel in Estes Park, 1 person taken to a Colorado hospital
Man shot, critically injured by police in Hartford; mayor says there will be a ‘full review’
Florida High School Football Rankings: Top 25 teams – Oct. 21
Cleary's 21 help Le Moyne down Central Connecticut State 69-64 in OT
How old is Bo Nix? What to know about Oregon quarterback ahead of 2024 NFL Draft
99th annual Pony Swim held in Virginia
Indiana Members Credit Union announced as new anchor tenant at Bottleworks District
ICE blasts Washington mayor over directive restricting immigration enforcement
Did the EU bypass Hungary’s veto on Ukraine’s €90 billion loan?
How the federal government is painting immigrants as criminals on social media
Where Iran’s ballistic missiles can reach — and how close they are to the US
Has India’s influence in Afghanistan grown under the Taliban?
-
World2 days agoExclusive: DeepSeek withholds latest AI model from US chipmakers including Nvidia, sources say
-
Massachusetts3 days agoMother and daughter injured in Taunton house explosion
-
Montana1 week ago2026 MHSA Montana Wrestling State Championship Brackets And Results – FloWrestling
-
Louisiana5 days agoWildfire near Gum Swamp Road in Livingston Parish now under control; more than 200 acres burned
-
Denver, CO2 days ago10 acres charred, 5 injured in Thornton grass fire, evacuation orders lifted
-
Technology7 days agoYouTube TV billing scam emails are hitting inboxes
-
Technology7 days agoStellantis is in a crisis of its own making
-
Politics7 days agoOpenAI didn’t contact police despite employees flagging mass shooter’s concerning chatbot interactions: REPORT