Twice-weekly gardening enhances personal wellness and alleviates stress levels.

Frequent Gardening: Your Daily Dose of Wellbeing

Ditch the gym for the garden! According to recent findings, regular gardening could provide a host of mental and physical health benefits—and it's more enjoyable than pumping iron!

Tending to your green thumb just a couple of times a week could lead to a 6.6 percent boost in wellbeing and a 4.2 percent reduction in stress levels, as suggested by a groundbreaking study by the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS). That's equivalent to the positive impact regular, vigorous exercise like cycling or running has on wellbeing!

Apparently, this "dose of gardening" everyday offers the same positive benefits as cycling or running! Gardening acts as a sort of "effortless exercise" that doesn't feel arduous, but the energy we expend is comparable.

Dr Lauriane Chalmin-Pui, the RHS wellbeing fellow and lead author, explains, "When gardening, our brains are pleasantly distracted by nature around us. This shifts our focus away from ourselves and our stresses, thereby restoring our minds and reducing negative feelings."

The study, published in the journal Cities, reveals that engaging with gardening properties like greenery and frequent activity contribute to a greater perceived health benefit. Interestingly, the main motivation for gardening isn't health improvement; it's the direct pleasure and enjoyment that participants experience from their gardening endeavors.

The study found that ability level doesn't restrict the health benefits—even those with health problems reported significant benefits like easing depression (13%), boosting energy levels (12%), and reducing stress (16%).

Gardening is an excellent way to connect with nature, moving our bodies, and improving our mental state. Here's a quick look at the most promising health benefits of frequent gardening, as supported by studies:

Stress Reduction and Improved MoodGardening activities have been shown to significantly reduce acute stress levels. Similarly to reading, gardening lowers salivary cortisol (a stress hormone) more effectively, with participants reporting increased positive mood and reduced negative mood states post-gardening – a strong indication of stress relief.[1] Other studies confirm that nurturing vegetables and plants boosts mood and decreases stress levels.[2]
Mental Health and Wellbeing ImprovementRHS has partnered with the NHS to create wellbeing gardens in hospitals, which have demonstrated significant improvements in mental health for both staff and patients.[5] This suggests the therapeutic effect of regular interaction with gardens on mental wellbeing.
Connection with Nature and Physical ActivityFrequent gardening inherently involves physical activity and regular exposure to nature, both of which contribute positively to physical and mental health.
Potential Nutritional BenefitsWhile not directly related to the frequency of gardening, growing fruits and vegetables encourages the consumption of fresh produce, which can help improve dietary nutrition and lead to healthier eating habits.[3]

So, grab your gardening gloves, and let's getEverybody's talking about gardening this week—it's the best natural stress-reducer around!

Gardening, much like outdoor exercise, may provide substantial mental and physical health benefits, as suggested by a study by the Royal Horticultural Society.
The energy expended during gardening can be compared to that of rigorous exercises like cycling or running, yet it feels more effortless and enjoyable.
Regular gardening activities have been linked to reduced stress levels, improved mood, and lower acute stress hormones, echoing the effects of activities such as reading.
Beyond mental health improvements, gardening also provides an opportunity to connect with nature, engage in physical activity, and potentially improve dietary nutrition through the cultivation of fresh produce at home.
Intriguingly, the study found that participants, regardless of their health condition, reported significant benefits such as easing depression, boosting energy levels, and stress reduction—demonstrating the therapeutic potential of gardening for diverse populations.