Gardening is one of life’s most underrated activities, with many proven benefits for both the body and the mind. Read on to find out why.

Victorian poet laureate, Alfred Austin, once said that, “To nurture a garden is to feed not just the body, but the soul.”¹ Quite right too. Much more than just a pastime, gardening has been proven to reduce stress, with one Dutch study showing that gardening actually leads to physical decreases in the production of cortisol, the stress hormone². And the NHS tells us that ‘heavy gardening’ counts towards our daily activity target, citing it as a great way for busy people to fit some exercise into their day³.

Perhaps you’re already an avid gardener, and are familiar with the joy to be gained from getting outdoors with a trowel in your hand and the sun on your back. Perhaps you’re the indoor herb-nurturing type, with big dreams of real gardens and thriving vegetable patches. Or perhaps you’ve never given your potentially green fingers a second thought, but are looking for ways to improve your mood and a project to call your own. Whoever you are and whatever your circumstances, there’s no doubt that you can benefit more than you might expect from gardening. Here’s why…

It improves our mental health

Thrive, an organisation dedicated to the health benefits of gardening for those with disabilities or ill health, states that gardening can help people improve communication, confidence and concentration⁴. And mental health organisation Mind advocates gardening as something that can boost mental health in a number of ways. This is because spending time in green spaces, doing physical and creative work, is something that can make us feel calmer, give us a great sense of achievement, and help us to feel connected to the world⁵. So, next time you’re feeling pent-up or stressed, get out your garden shears and embark on a project that will give you the timeout you need.

It keeps us physically fit

The National Institute of Health classes gardening as a moderate-intensity physical activity and recommends doing so for 30-45 minutes at a time⁶. Not only is it great for your heart, it generally works all major muscle groups – legs, arms, shoulders, neck, back, abdomen and even buttocks – so ditch the stuffy gym and tone up in the great outdoors instead. Activities such as digging holes and planting can burn up to 197 calories per session if you’re a man, and 150 for women. And, as with all good forms of exercise, there are plenty of other benefits to be reaped. How would you feel about increased flexibility, joint strengthening, the slowing of osteoporosis, decreased blood pressure and cholesterol, and a lower risk of diabetes⁷? Quite an incentive.

It’s a space to share with family and friends

Much like a messy room, an unkept garden can hang over you – an unfinished chore you’d rather avoid. Not only can tackling that lingering task offer a real sense of relief and achievement, it creates a new space you can be proud of, somewhere to enjoy spending time with your loved ones.

For a cosy and relaxed spot, be sure to accessorise your space with garden lanterns so you can treat family or friends to a long summer evening bathed in the glow of candles. If you’re just dipping a toe in the glories of making over your garden, simply throw down a few cushions and throws for your guests to sit on. Picnic tables and fold-up chairs are the next step, for people who host regularly in their outdoor space. But for next-level style and comfort, pieces like the Alexander Rose swing set add real glamour to any garden.
 

It lets us feed our inner creative genius

Getting to work on your own project, whether that’s interior design, cooking, painting or something else, is a fun and rewarding way to express our inner creativity. And the same goes for gardening. Think of your outdoor space as an exciting new project, experimenting not only with plants and nature, but with furniture and design features too. From practical but stylish fire pits, to vibrant soft furnishings – think bright pinks, turquoises and oranges – to sleek lounge sets and twinkling fairy lights, the sky is quite literally the limit. Whether you go for chic and classic Alexander Rose garden furniture, or make it your mission to find quirkier statement pieces, treat your garden as an extension of you and your taste. Research shows that taking part in creative and artistic activities reduces anxiety and stress, increases positive emotions and improves general wellbeing⁸. So, without further ado, it’s time to embrace our inner genius, and let our gardens reap the rewards.

Quick tips to get your garden looking glorious

If you’re starting out in the world of gardening or are simply stumped for new ideas, try some of these quick tips to spruce up your outdoor space:

• Out with the old: Many of us neglect our gardens when it comes to makeovers, opting to invest in the interiors of our houses instead. But once you realise the difference a beautiful garden can make to your property, you’ll never look back. So, make the most of your outdoor space and don’t delay replacing your old, tattered garden furniture. We love this Alexander Rose garden table and chairs, which will instantly uplift any garden in need of a bit of TLC.
• More is more: Don’t hold back when it comes to plants. Gardens never look better than when they’re filled with lush greenery and bright bursts of colour from an abundance of overflowing flowers, whether planted in borders or in patio pots. Likewise, nothing looks quite as sad as large expanses of soil punctuated by too-small shrubs. Go big, go bright, and remember, less is absolutely not more.
• Light it up: There’s nothing quite as charming as a twinkly garden all lit up at night. Invest in some giant outdoor candles and garden fairy lights to add atmosphere and flattering lighting to your garden parties and barbeques.
• Go wild: Don’t be afraid to let certain plants become a little bit unruly. Keep your lawn mown and your herb gardens trimmed, but let your buddleia grow freely – it’ll add an eccentric touch of the bohemian, encourage wildlife and prevent that overly-manicured look from taking over. 

Mental health benefits, toned arms and legs, diminished anxiety and an irreplaceable sense of pride and achievement. What more motivation do you need to pick up that trowel and get digging? Hello happy mind, body and soul, and beautiful garden too.

¹http://www.inspirational-motivational-success-quotes.com/gardeningquotes.html
²http://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/1359105310365577
³http://www.nhs.uk/Livewell/fitness/Pages/Activelifestyle.aspx
⁴http://www.thrive.org.uk/what-we-do.aspx
⁵https://www.mind.org.uk/media/336359/Feel-better-outside-feel-better-inside-report.pdf
⁶https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/
⁷https://www.thespruce.com/is-gardening-good-exercise-1401896
⁸http://jamesclear.com/make-more-art