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GARDENING
Green prescription: gardening for heath The power of nature can be incredibly healing, says Elly West, and anyone who gardens knows only too well how uplifting a session digging, weeding, planting or clearing can be
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ust as the country went into lockdown, we were greeted by a spate of warm, sunny days. Spring and summer were well and truly on their way, unaffected by the crisis the world was facing. While we were fearful for the future, the sun still shone, the world still turned and plants kept on growing, bringing hope and comfort in uncertain times. The power of nature can be incredibly healing and being outside in our gardens – our own slice of nature – has so many benefits for both our mental and physical health. Our gardens, if we were lucky enough to have one during quarantine, became even more important when we couldn’t socialise, see our friends, or visit parks – the things we have taken for granted all of our lives. Enforced home life has given us a chance to take stock of what’s important, allowing us the time to reconnect with nature. Modern life is stressful, chaotic and increasingly urban. Technology is vitally important in keeping us connected to one another, but tending plants and being outside are also vital in keeping us connected to a bigger force, improving our well-being. Anyone who gardens knows only too well how uplifting a session digging, weeding, planting or clearing can be, especially on a nice day. The health benefits have long been formally recognised and scientifically studied, with evidence showing those who garden have lower levels of overall reported physical health problems, including obesity, high blood pressure and even dementia. Hospital patients have been shown to 68 THE BRISTOL MAGAZINE
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SUMMER 2020
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No 191
recover more quickly from operations when given a view of a garden. Gardening burns calories and is cheaper than a gym membership. One hour of light gardening burns around 330 calories, comparable to a moderate-paced walk for the same amount of time. Gardening uses lots of different muscles and encourages a range of movement – lifting, bending, walking, stretching – making it good for balance, strength and flexibility. Being outside exposes us to vital vitamin D and fresh air, and increases energy levels. Digging, raking and mowing ups our heart rate, giving us a cardio workout, and even sowing and pricking out seeds is good for dexterity and fine motor skills. There are also the health benefits gained from growing and eating fresh produce. With the huge drive towards healthier eating in schools and tackling childhood obesity, school gardening has become a popular activity, encouraging improved attitudes towards fruit and veg. Children are more likely to eat healthily and try new foods if said foods are crops they have grown themselves from seed. As well as the physical benefits, children also gain knowledge about where their food has come from, along with a sense of achievement, satisfaction and pride when their growing projects are successful. They learn patience, confidence and motivation. By investing time and energy, they can then reap the rewards in a very tangible sense, which is something we can all relate to. Gardening can also have a massive impact on our well-being and mental health. The Royal Horticultural Society has been exploring the relationship between gardening and mental health for several years and
