Most of us love gardening for its own pleasure, and the delight of watching as your hard work blooms into gorgeous buds that can be admired across the seasons. Attracting wildlife, creating a calm space for relaxing with friends and families – there are so many great reasons to head out for a spot of gardening this summer, but if you needed another excuse then you’ll be pleased to know that the evidence is showing that gardening is also incredibly good for you, body and spirit alike.

Gardening for the Heart

Any keen gardener will tell you that all that digging, pruning and weeding results in a fulfilling, moderate work out, meaning that you can burn lots of calories as you soak up the great outdoors. Just 3 to 5 short sessions a week can help you to keep the pounds off, but this is about more than staying in shape as it will also reduce your risk of heart disease, high blood pressure and even strokes. While you’re showing some love to your heart, you’ll also find yourself absorbing loads of that all-important Vitamin D, meaning that your immune system will also get a much appreciated boost.

Gardening for the Body

So gardening can be great if you’re looking for a low intensity exercise option, however if you really put your back into it then it can also be an activity that helps you bulk up your muscles and give yourself some real upper body strength. Spend an hour working hard on your garden, and you’ve not only exercised your entire body, but also done the equivalent of a 5 mile walk – so give yourself a pat on the back!

Gardening for your Mood

Gardening is also a natural stress buster, which is one of the reasons it’s so effective for lowering your blood pressure. There’s no denying that the demands of modern life are putting more strains on us every day, so anything that can help you relax and let go of work or other stress factors is always welcome.

And it’s not just stress that can be limited by a good session in the garden – the effects of anxiety and even ADHD are reduced by the calming, physical activity that you engage in when you plant up your garden.

Gardening for the Soul

So far we’ve helped your immune system, given you a full body work out and seen stress levels dip, but that’s not all! Gardening also has an important spiritual element, and the time spent growing and nurturing life can also be used to reflect on the processes that make it all possible, allowing you to attune yourself to the natural environment that surrounds all of us.

You may have heard people who spent a lot of time running or practicing meditation talk about ‘entering the zone’ – perhaps you’ve even experienced it yourself – when all the small and insignificant issues of life leave your mind and leave you to focus purely on the moment that you’re in. This is a great way for you to centre yourself, and many people find that the same mental space can be reached through gardening.

Gardening for the Senses

Once all of the hard work is done, it’s time to sit back and admire the beauty of your flowers and the animals they attract. Bright colours, sweet scents and the sound of birds chirping overhead – gardening is a feast for all of the senses, so settle down in some comfortable all weather garden furniture and enjoy what you’ve created. Luxury furniture is really the icing on the cake for a sumptuous garden, allowing you to enjoy it in peace all year round, so call 01284 812000 to speak to us about creating a garden that you want to spend time in.