The Benefits of Gardening
May 9, 2019The art of gardening is a practice that is as old as humanity and, to this day, is an integral and valuable part of society. Gardening boasts a wealth of benefits from reduced stress and anxiety to cultivating strong bonds between loved ones. Here are five great reasons to spend more time in your garden.
Keep Calm and Garden On
Gardening is a great way to relieve stress. When gardening, you inhale a healthy bacteria in the soil called Mycobacterium vaccae that, according to various scientific studies, increases your levels of serotonin and reduces your anxiety. Furthermore, the photosynthesis of plants absorbs the carbon dioxide in the air and releases oxygen, and that clean air has a significant calming effect on those who spend time in their gardens.
Nurtures self-esteem
Research conducted by Westminster and Essex universities found that spending just 30 minutes working in your garden daily has a noticeably positive effect on your self-esteem. The study was based on 270 people consisting of both regular gardeners and newcomers, who all reported that it filled them with a great sense of accomplishment and purpose. There are few things as satisfying as seeing the fruits of your own labour in such splendid natural beauty. And all that labour will help you…
Sleep better at night
Who doesn’t love a good night’s sleep? Not only does it reduce stress levels but improves your memory, lowers your blood pressure, lifts your mood and boosts your immune system to help fight off infections. According to scientific studies, such as this research conducted by the University of Pennsylvania, even light gardening on a daily basis will help you sleep better at night.
Increase property value
If you’re a homeowner, cultivating a beautiful garden adds immense value to your property. According to property experts, the right kind of garden can add anything from 5% – 20% to your property’s value. Some even say that it adds more value than a kitchen, conservatory or house extension, and for a fraction of the price. Spending the time to nurture your garden not only provides you with a string of mental and physical benefits, but is also a sound financial investment.
Great for bonding
Gardening can be a great bonding exercise for families, couples and housemates. In stark contrast to today’s TV culture, where loved ones can sit for hours staring at a screen without exchanging a single word, gardening encourages communication and cultivates a bond between people. It’s an activity that people of any age can participate and find meaning in, and, with its tangible results, you can stand together and bask in the achievement of your teamwork.
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