How Gardening Can Support People with Chronic Conditions
Research shows that almost 15 per cent of people in England are living with two or more health disorders. Individuals with chronic conditions face several challenges, from physical ability to mental well-being, which can affect everyday life.
Slipping on a pair of wellies and getting a bit muddy may not solve everything, but it can make a surprising dent in some of those challenges. Here’s why.
Improves Mental Health
There’s plenty of proof that getting outside (even for just a short amount of time) and enjoying the sun can improve your well-being. According to a poll from the Mental Health Foundation, 44% of people said being close to nature makes them feel less worried or anxious. Some people with chronic illnesses experience anxiety about their condition, and this may be worsened if they spend a lot of time inside.
Getting outside in nature can reduce stress and help you feel calmer. Sunlight exposure also enables your body to produce vitamin D, which can help boost your mood and overall well-being. For those recovering from a stroke or another major setback, gardening can help build self-confidence, allowing them to adopt a more positive outlook on life.
Keeps You Active
As well as improving mental health, gardening is also great for physical health. In fact, according to research, 81% of British adults agree that green spaces and gardens are beneficial for their physical health, and 85% of adults agree that gardens have a positive impact on their minds.
Exercising doesn’t have to mean doing high-intensity activity like running or jumping jacks. Gentle tasks like digging, raking, weeding, planting seeds and walking all require movement. For individuals with reduced mobility, gardening is a great way to stay active, and there are numerous tools out there that make gardening easier. For people with arthritis, an easy-grip tool or a kneeler can make gardening much more comfortable.
Another reason to get into the garden for physical health is that it helps improve our very important cardiovascular health. By lowering your blood pressure, cholesterol, and can help maintain a healthy weight – which is vital if you’re managing a chronic cardiovascular condition.
Provides Cognitive Stimulation
Some individuals who have chronic conditions spend a lot of time inside, and this can lead to feelings of boredom, and in worst cases, anxiety, isolation, or depression. Stepping outside and getting their boots on to do some gardening allows people with chronic conditions to be met with a range of scents, sounds and colours. Learning new skills and problem-solving through gardening is an exciting and memorable way to experience mental stimulation.
For people with dementia, this can stimulate their memory by creating positive experiences and reminding them of past ones. The smell of a certain flower or the tinkling sound of a windchime may remind them of their childhood home. When they achieve something, such as learning a new skill, this can also create a sense of accomplishment and positive feelings. Furthermore, regular cognitive stimulation with dementia is linked with better sleep, reduced agitation, and steadier memory. Gardening wraps that mental workout inside something naturally enjoyable.
Allows You to Socialise with Others
Loneliness and isolation weigh heavily on many people with chronic conditions, especially if getting out and about takes more planning than it used to. Whether you’re talking about what you got up to at the weekend or are discussing a new gardening skill, those small exchanges chip away at the loneliness.
One of the easiest ways to find those conversations is through a community-gardening group. Gardening with others is empowering: you share the work, enjoy the results together, and feel part of something that genuinely matters. Better still, regular sessions often turn fellow volunteers into real friends.
At Mudlarks, you can join our Larking About team and get involved with gardening projects within the community to build self-confidence and practice your gardening skills.
Final Thoughts
If you’ve never done gardening before, it’s never too late to start a new hobby! Gardening doesn’t have to look the same for everyone; you can do it alone or with others and do whichever tasks you’d like.
You might be a master at growing a beautiful flower garden, or maybe you prefer to make rich compost. Either way, gardening allows you to take control and get involved in something you really enjoy.
Getting outside in nature can reduce stress and help you feel calmer. Sunlight exposure also enables your body to produce vitamin D, which can help boost your mood and overall well-being. For those recovering from a stroke or another major setback, gardening can help build self-confidence, allowing them to adopt a more positive outlook on life.
Article written by: Holly Dodd – Freelance Writer & Blogger
Email: holly.dodd@contentncoffee.com Web: hollydoddcontentncoffee.com
