10 minute read
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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Just 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 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
25/27 CLARE ST, BS1
• Office use • New lease
PENTHOUSE OFFICE TO RENT/MAY SELL
• Bristol City Centre • 3762 sq ft & Parking • Bright contemporary studio space
• Rent/Price O/A FREEHOLD FOR SALE
• Prime offices with planning consent for 5 flats plus 3 new build flats in rear car park • Only £900,000 • BRISTOL CITY
FREEHOLD FOR SALE 44 PEMBROKE RD, BS8
• Business unaffected • An impressive period property with garden, parking & garaging • Suit residential office/ school
9 PORTLAND SQUARE
• Stunning period offices • 4200 sq ft • 8 car spaces • New lease 30 QUEEN CHARLOTTE ST
71 QUEENS RD, BS8
• Clifton Offices • 1350 sq ft
• Contemporary period refurbished offices
• Sales / Lettings • Rent reviews • Acquisitions • Property Management • Valuations • Investment Sales / Purchase • Landlord & tenant • Development & Planning • Auction Sales • Dilapidations Advice
COMING SOON
33 BRISTOL, BS1
69 OAKFIELD RD, BS8
• Light and bright contemporary refurb of period office building • 1900 sq ft • 3 cars • New lease
QUEEN SQUARE, BRISTOL
• Coming soon... a fine period office building of 2500 sq ft wth one car space in one of Bristol’s finest office locations TO RENT (MIGHT SELL)
WHITELADIES RD, BS8
• A single floor hall level suite • Mix of open plan & 2 individual rooms • 2 car spaces • New lease
4 WHITELADIES RD
• 2 floors of bright period offices fully refurbished • c 1570 sq ft • 2 car spaces • New lease
BRUNSWICK SQUARE, BRISTOL
• Fantastic office space from c2800 sq ft to 6000 sq ft with on site parking • New leases - Competitive rents OFFICES FOR SALE OR TO LET
• Coming soon a brand new refubishment of a central Bristol office building to a very high standard totalling c7500 sq ft.... • Freehold price and rent on application
• Sales / Lettings • Rent reviews • Acquisitions • Property Management • Valuations • Investment Sales / Purchase • Landlord & tenant • Development & Planning • Auction Sales • Dilapidations Advice
21 THE MALL, CLIFTON
• Impressive fully fitted retail unit
• 908 sq ft • Ready to walk in and trade • New lease
PRIME PARK STREET, BAR/RESTAURANT
• Late night licence • Fully fitted out • 2726 sq ft
• New lease
HENLEAZE ROAD FOR SALE
• Rare purchasing opportunity
• Lock up shop/office • Flat not included
• Only £125, 000
STOKE BISHOP PARADE
• Only £9500 PAX • Shop in busy local shopping parade
• Prominent site
• New lease 7 PRINCESS VICTORIA STREET
• Prime Clifton Villlage • Large retail space • 932 sq ft sales & 900 sq ft stores • New lease
PRIME CLIFTON BAR/RESTAURANT
• One of Clifton’s best sites • 3000 sq ft & sunny dinning terrace • Fully fitted out • New lease
CHANDOS ROAD, CAFE
• Established and busy • Fully fitted to walk in and trade • 766 sq ft • New lease • No premium
94E WHITELADIES RD
• Large retail/office • 681 sq ft • Established and prominent site • £18,750 PAX
• Sales / Lettings • Rent reviews • Acquisitions • Property Management • Valuations • Investment Sales / Purchase • Landlord & tenant • Development & Planning • Auction Sales • Dilapidations Advice
44 PEMBROKE ROAD, CLIFTON BS8 3DT
(Business unaffected - Head office now at 25 St John’s Road, BS8 2HD)
A rare opportunity to acquire a most beautiful and impressive period property, with an attractive walled garden, retaining many period features, filled with light and offering both forecourt parking and rear double garage.
Benefitting from language school use, the property suits other commercial or residential uses.
44 Pembroke Road, although dating from c1850 was designed in the Regency style, with Italian and Greek neoclassical influences. From the moment you enter, the accommodation is flooded with light and has a warm and homely atmosphere. The accommodation flows very well and is situated over four floors.The garden floor has good natural light and could make a sizeable two bedroom flat or an office. The property has been well maintained yet gives scope for the new owner to adapt and finish the interior to suit their precise needs. GUIDE PRICE: £1,980,000
(0117) 934 9977
HARBOURSIDE BS1
GUIDE PRICE £350,000
A stunning two bedroom apartment in a central harbourside location, allocated parking space, communal landing with private, walk in, storage cupboard. No onward chain. Viewing highly recommended.
CLIFTON BS8
GUIDE PRICE £1,500,000
A four bedroom detached family house set within generous gardens in an excellent Clifton location. Recently built studio/annex, off street parking and scope for development, subject to planning.
CLIFTON BS8
GUIDE PRICE £800,000
An exceptional four bedroom family home forming part of this converted Victorian School situated in the most convenient location with a raised south west facing terrace and off street parking.
KINGSDOWN BS6
GUIDE PRICE £600,000
A late Victorian mid terraced house, three bedroom, two reception rooms and courtyard. Excellent central location. Viewing is highly recommended.
REDLAND BS6
SSTC £600,000 COTHAM BS6
GUIDE PRICE £395,000
CLIFTON BS8
GUIDE PRICE £1,600,000
A four bedroom newly reconfigured and refurbished family home with a high attention to detail and quality. Electric-gated entrance with space for four cars on a large gravelled sweep across the front of the property, a large rear garden.
SNEYD PARK BS9
SOLD £530,000
A beautifully presented two double bedroom Victorian house situated on the edge of The Downs. Similar properties required.
REDLAND BS6
SOLD £1,200,000
An impressive 7 bedroom, 2 reception, large garden terraced house close to Durdham Downs. Similar properties required.
HARBOURSIDE BS1
SOLD £360,000
A most impressive Grade II Listed Building, a two double bedroom duplex apartment set within this iconic Bristol building situated in the heart of the old city and close to the harbour. Similar properties required.
HENLEAZE BS9
