Amazing ways in which gardening benefits your health and wellbeing

How we manage our health and wellbeing is becoming an increasingly open topic of conversation. As we increasingly understand the link between our general health and wellbeing and the strength of our immune systems, the subject has never been more important to consider than during the last 18 months. But wellbeing is a complex subject with many dimensions as can be seen from the diagram below. So, let’s consider those dimensions and explore the ways in which gardening benefits your health and wellbeing.

Physical activity

Working in the garden is a good option for people that can’t partake in heavier exercises. There is so much to do in a garden and, of course, keeping your gardening looking nice throughout the changing seasons requires ongoing maintenance.

Apart from basic maintenance and the constant deadheading, planting and digging that may include, there are often projects that might be incorporated into gardening such as adding raised planters, designing a new seating area, adding a chicken run, building a greenhouse, building a pond, making bug houses, adding a new arbor, planting trees – the list is endless.

When you are gardening, clearly you can do what feels good and manageable for your physical ability and circumstances without being bound to exercise routines.

The Royal Horticultural Society explains how important gardening can be for your health and fitness. In an article, the RHS compares 30 minutes of gardening to playing volleyball or badminton or practicing yoga. The physical wellbeing gleaned from gardening should never be underestimated.

Time in nature

Time in nature can boost your mood, relieve stress and anxiety, and give you time to take your mind off other things. This is a great way to practice mindfulness which leads to emotional wellbeing.

Feeling the sunshine on your face, taking in the scent from the flowers around you, and listening to the birds singing can be very relaxing and therapeutic.

Whatever type of garden you like, do try to ensure it is also a haven for wildlife as sharing your garden with other creatures will bring provide you with an abundance of emotional wellbeing benefits.

Environmental wellbeing refers to your sense of safety, comfort, and connection with your physical surroundings. This can easily be achieved in our own gardens. Even small patio areas and balconies can be stimulating, wildlife-friendly areas that help to create that sense of connection to nature and environmental wellness.

Break from routine

Time away from the stresses and strains of working/daily life can allow you to focus on one thing at a time without putting too much pressure on yourself. Multitasking can be very stressful and it’s important to take breaks and allow yourself to relax and unwind by doing one thing at a time. This can be a form of meditation and gardening can be a perfect way to practice this.

As Professor Jules Pretty explains, even a 5-minute break in nature brings immediate emotional wellbeing benefits.

Eating fresh produce

We all know that a healthy diet is essential. A Mediterranean diet is based on a wholegrain diet with plenty of fresh fruit and vegetable. Eating lots of fresh vegetables and fruits is very healthy and may help reduce the risk of heart disease, lower blood pressure and can provide many other health benefits.

A good diet not only affects our physical wellbeing but can affect our mental and emotional wellbeing too!

There is nothing better than growing your own and eating produce that is super healthy and fresh! It doesn’t take much to grow vegetables that are suitable for your region, even in the UK. For example, vegetables and fruit grown in your garden cloche will stay protected even if you don’t have enough space for a greenhouse in your garden. You can simply install the cloches on top of a garden bed.

Community gardening

Gardening with others, which might be allotment gardening or via the increasing number of community gardens across the country, can provide a deeper sense of purpose.

As well as all the health benefits we have already mentioned, community gardening helps you meet new people and provides an increased level of social wellbeing. This can be particularly important for people who may otherwise feel isolated or perhaps have mental health issues.

Community gardening is a great way to give your life greater meaning and purpose, and a way of understanding the values, beliefs, and morals that guide your actions. This is spiritual wellbeing.

But what about Intellectual Wellbeing?

North Western describes intellectual wellbeing as:

‘Recognising ones’ creative abilities and finding ways to expand knowledge and skills.’

On that basis, we are sure you can see how gardening can be an essential aspect of benefiting your intellectual wellbeing!

Happy gardening!

Gardening photo by CDC on Unsplash