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Thehealthbenefitsof gardens
220 Health & Wellbeing Health and wellbeing benefits of gardens
Kate Harrison West Sussex National Garden Scheme Publicity Officer
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How a garden benefits physical and mental health Studies show spending time in a garden can reduce blood pressure and the stress hormone cortisol. In winter time, walking around a garden can give you a sense of peace. In Spring, the first sight of developing buds and bulbs can fill you with anticipation and joy. Gardens provide space for a break from the stress of everyday life, trees, plants, bird songs and water are easy on the senses and can bring stress levels down. Gardens enable you to be more active. Being more active is associated with better physical and mental health, including reduced risks of cancer, heart disease and depression. Gardens provide socialising and relationship building opportunities with neighbours. Opening your garden for the NGS is a great way to show off your hard work and make new friends. Visiting an NGS open garden in 2023 Not everyone has a garden. However, visiting someone else’s can provide all these benefits. A garden visit can lift spirits and help you feel connected. Volunteering at an allotment or community garden can also provide that sense of wellbeing. In 2023 you can find links to all the NGS gardens opening in West Sussex on the Sussex Local Website, starting with Snowdrop Gardens in January. Some local gardens will also be featured in Sussex Local Magazines. Raising funds for charity and community Founded in 1927 by the Queen’s Nursing Institute to raise funds for community nursing. Every ticket bought, garden visited and cake/cup of tea savoured translates into millions of pounds in donations to nursing and health charities, garden charities and community projects. For more information on the NGS and gardening benefits, visit ngs.org.uk. You can also pick up a free copy of the Sussex National Garden Scheme Booklet from local outlets from February.
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