Whether you’re a budding amateur or a blooming expert, gardening can bring a number of surprising health and wellbeing benefits for older people – from increased mobility, lower stress levels and reduced feelings of loneliness.<\/p>\n
Staying active can help older people improve their strength and\u00a0reduce the risk of falls<\/a>, which increases as we age. Getting regular exercise is important for older people and gardening is a great choice of exercise- it can be fairly low impact and lead to improved fitness, coordination and flexibility through walking, bending and stretching.<\/p>\n Gardening, and spending time outside, can also be great for your mental health. Many of us love being around nature and enjoy the calming effect it can have. Gardening can help to reduce feelings of stress, increase feelings of happiness and help older people stay connected to others through shared experiences.<\/p>\n Getting out in the garden can be a rewarding and fulfilling experience – by achieving goals, learning new skills and sharing knowledge, it can help boost confidence and as a result, increase feelings of satisfaction.<\/p>\n In addition, gardening can also offer a delight for the senses – colourful blooms, beautiful scents and a variety of textures help\u00a0engage the senses, jog memories and bring great joy.<\/p>\nA Garden of Joy<\/h2>\n