In the age of COVID-19 and social distancing, there’s never been a better time and bigger need, for the benefits of having access to nature. Gardening has been found to be so beneficial to mental health, that horticultural therapy sessions have been developed to help treat patients with depression and other mental illnesses. Most of us have experienced the benefits, after a stressful day or feeling trapped inside, of stepping outside into a beautiful space.
It lowers blood pressure, and creates a greater sense of wellbeing. A Stockholm-based study revealed that regular gardening could significantly cut the risk of heart attacks and strokes in the 60 plus age group. The 12 year study showed that gardening was as effective as training for marathons at maintaining the health of this age group – prolonging life expectancy as much as 30%. This was based on a study of 4000 60 year old’s in Stockholm. It doesn’t need to be a huge space but a space that gives you that feeling of wellbeing.
