Exercise

Gardening is great exercise. Spending time out in the garden will work all the major muscle groups, improve strength and increase flexibility.

Every gardener has experienced tired muscles at the end of the day, but probably don't think they've been giving themselves a workout. Some studies suggest that 45 minutes of gardening is equal to a 30 minute gym workout. But everyone would have to agree that it's more pleasant and more convenient. It's also free! We all know that you'll stick to an exercise regime that you enjoy, so making gardening a regular part of life is more likely to keep you fit and healthy than occasional visits to the gym.

As with every exercise you do, remember that you must stretch to warm up and cool down. You might also want to reward your muscles with a relaxing hot bath at the end of the day.

Relaxation

Gardens are a great place to relax. We're learning more each day about the benefits of staying relaxed and stress-free. A garden can be a sanctuary where you can go to rid of the stresses of the day, clear your head and think about the achievement of creating a living, growing thing of beauty. A garden let's you be creative and express yourself, and you'll feel good about the job you've done.

You might like to grow herbs for relaxation. Lemon Verbena steeped in boiled water makes for a soothing drink, and the smell of lavender is well-known to relax the senses. There are many other herbs said to sooth the soul, so do some research and start growing for you and your friends. Make sure that any herbs you use aren't sprayed with chemicals, and are thoroughly washed before use.

Health

A lot of people say that they feel better surrounded by plants. That's because plants give us oxygen and create the right humidity levels. Scientists, academics and healthcare practitioners in the United States, Canada and Australia have recently come forth with strong evidence that gardens, not just gardening, have far more untapped healing power than previously realised.

Did you know, for instance, that just looking at pictures of trees or water can produce noticeable health benefits? Numerous studies have found that gardening, walking through gardens or even looking at gardens can lead to:

• Improved medical outcomes
• Faster recovery rates
• Lower stress levels
• Lower blood pressure, and
• Improved mental and physical wellbeing.

Eating well

Growing food in your garden is not only a lot of fun, it will put you and your family on the road to eating well. You (and your children) will suddenly want more fresh fruit ,vegetables and herbs because you've grown them yourself. Most people who grow their own food in the garden find that their diet is more varied and healthier, as they find more and more recipes for the food they grow. Kids will learn a valuable life lesson when they grow their own food – there are lots of children who've never tried a pea until they've grown it themselves.