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The happiness and health benefits of gardening

Gardening is a much loved past-time of many. Whether you are a home gardener, a community gardener or a visitor, a garden can be a source of exercise, relaxation and enjoyment.

It’s no secret that most people enjoy being outdoors and digging in the soil, planting and watching plants grow. Recent studies have also shown that people with disabilities, people who are unwell, older people and children can find it especially rewarding to spend time in the garden tending plants and growing their own food.

Working in the garden provides benefits that include

Exercise – gardening really does improve your endurance, strength, mobility and flexibility
Joy – from seeing your efforts come to life and grow in abundance
Relaxation – helps you relax and reduce your stress levels by getting back to nature
Fresh food – growing your own vegetables and herbs provides you and your family with a healthy variety of fresh food.

With a little planning, garden beds, equipment and tools can be modified to make gardening accessible for children, older people and people with disabilities.

If you’re new to gardening then there are lots of great ways to start getting involved in gardening:

Going for a walk in a garden with a friend or family
Start small and creating your own small pot garden
Join a local community gardening group to learn and make friends
Lend a helping hand to a friend or neighbour by helping them care for their garden, we’re sure many helpful tips will be passed on
Volunteer in your community – school and/or public gardens are always looking for a helping hand