Anton Du Beke discusses gardening with his children
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Gardeners have had much more opportunity to cultivate their personal green spaces over the last year. While few benefits have arisen from the nationwide lockdown, time has become a gift for those able to weather its financial toll. Anyone considering using the time to venture into their gardens will find many potential rewards.
Shed some pounds
Anyone averse to more intense forms of exercise may find their groove in gardening.
Experts have long championed the physical benefits of the hobby, which burns calories via manual labour.
Gentle cardiovascular activity will also help to strengthen the heart.
Vitamin D
As if it wasn’t already obvious, gardening helps people get outside more often.
While this is vital for people working from home to reduce stress, it also helps increase vitamin D levels.
Sunlight exposure builds the nutrient, which promotes bone and muscle strength.
Mental health
Gardening is a stress buster, with research identifying an association between the hobby and reductions in anxiety and depression.
Scientists have called for officials to back the activity as a promoter of mental health.
These benefits also extend to green spaces, which also support mental wellbeing.
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Healthy eating
There are several ways to enjoy a garden, but one of the most rewarding is home-grown food.
People can plant their own fruit and veg in their green spaces, allowing them to save money and reach their five-a-day.
Home-grown crops have the added benefit of saving on environmentally unfriendly packaging.
Confidence building
Gardening isn’t, on the face of it, a clear self-esteem builder.
But people who pick up the hobby with little experience may find they quickly get the hang of it.
Continuous improvement will ultimately benefit confidence at a time when many people find theirs running low.
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