3 mental benefits of gardening & landscaping
It was Mental Health Awareness Week last week, and one ways that people have been coping with lockdown is by turning to gardening and landscaping projects. Not only is this a great way to improve the appeal of your home, these activities are also excellent for boosting your mental health.
1. Relieves stress
Since lockdown began, 69% of people surveyed by AnxietyUK reported that their level of anxiety had increased. This was due to reasons such as lack of routine, financial stress, boredom and lack of sleep.
Gardening and landscaping give your mind something to focus on and provide a welcome distraction from the realities of the outside world and other concerns. Studies are increasingly starting to show how undertaking these activities can help relieve stress. For example, gardening for just 30 minutes a day can reduce cortisol levels, a chemical the body produces in response to stress.
2. Provides exercise
Gardening and landscaping can be tiring and physically taxing. Pushing around a heavy wheelbarrow, mowing the lawn, potting plants and digging flower beds are all examples of how simply working in your garden can help you reach your weekly exercise recommendation.
It is well documented how exercise can benefit your mental health, increasing alertness whilst reducing feelings of lethargy and depression. If you are lucky enough to have a garden, then you have access to the best natural gym there is!
3. Fosters creativity
Regardless of your level of skill, gardening and landscaping forces you to think creatively. Deciding how you can add colour and impact to your garden, perhaps even some furniture, is a great way to express yourself in ways that you might struggle to put into words.
In fact, simply being amongst plants and nature has a calming effect, helping you feel more relaxed. It can even improve your self-esteem!
MB Wilkes offer home deliveries of gardening and landscaping products, such as soil and aggregates, so you can get your project underway. Browse our range online or if you have any further enquiries, call our team direct on 01258 857465.