3 minute read

GARDENING FOR HEALTH AND WELLBEING

By Gerard Tan

Since its arrival in Victoria in 2020, COVID-19 has decimated businesses and upended countless lives. During the months of lockdown, many people sought refuge in gardening. Many said their gardens meant a great deal to them during this time. Some went so far as to emphatically state they would not have made it through but for their gardens.

Gardening has significant health benefits. It promotes dexterity through the exercise of fine motor skills, and encourages moderate physical activity, which may reduce risk of dementia. In fact, gardening has been found to be more protective against dementia than walking, education or maintaining alcohol intake at moderate levels. Whether at home, or in community or therapeutic contexts, most gardening is done during the day. It increases exposure to sunlight, which boosts Vitamin D and reduces blood pressure.

Research suggests that gardening is associated with lower depression and anxiety symptoms, stress, mood disturbance, and as well as improved cognitive function and quality of life. Indeed, nearly three quarters of respondents in the National Pandemic Gardening Survey, indicated that gardening significantly or greatly improved their mental health and wellbeing.

As one gardener explained it:

‘There is such positivity in gardening –birdsong, sunshine, physical activity –that it is a perfect antidote to the stress, negativity and restriction of not only the pandemic, but of modern living.’

Growing food was an important aspect of pandemic gardening, many people had to contend with reduced incomes due to work disruptions. Edible gardening allowed people to access food with dignity, trim their expenditures, increase their peace of mind about food. Outside of the pandemic, edible gardening has been associated with increased fruit and vegetable intake.

Now that restrictions are a thing of the past, gardening promotes social connection and interaction. Friends and family visit markets and nurseries to purchase plants together, and make excursions to gardens of renown. Neighbours discuss growing tips, share home-grown produce with one another and participate in community plant swap events.

The health benefits of plants are not limited to those engaging in outdoor gardening. Indoor plants are said to improve air quality by removing toxins, dust and microorganisms. Having plants inside the home or office supports a sense of connectedness with nature, which is related to better mental health and vitality. Simply viewing plants (and even pictures of plants) helps lower blood pressure, ease stress, pain, anxiety, and fatigue.

For our retail members, make sure you communicate the health and wellbeing benefits of gardening to your customers. For our growers, why not ‘sell it’ as a perk of the job during the recruitment process.

More information

Gerard is NGIV’s dedicated mental health clinician/consultant. NGIV members and staff can connect with him at gerard.tan@each.com.au, or book a time for a chat on https://shorturl.at/itMUX.

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