Spending time in the garden linked to better health and wellbeing
A new large-scale study shows spending time in the garden is linked to similar benefits for health and wellbeing as living in wealthy areas
Research conducted by the University of Exeter and the RHS, published in Landscape and Urban Planning, analysed data from nearly 8,000 people collected by Natural England between 2009 and 2016. The research, conducted with funding from Innovate UK and the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR), found that people who spend time in the garden are significantly more likely to report general good health, higher psychological wellbeing and greater physical activity levels than those who do not spend time in the garden.
What the study found
The study found the benefits of gardening to health and wellbeing were similar to the difference in health between people living in the wealthiest parts of the country, compared to the poorest. The benefits applied whether people spent their time gardening or simply relaxing. People who regularly spend time in their garden were also more likely to visit nature elsewhere once a week.
The study also found that people with access to a private garden had higher psychological wellbeing and those with an outdoor space such as a yard were more likely to meet physical activity guidelines. These benefits were in comparison to people who did not have a garden or outdoor space.
Living in greener neighbourhoods
There is growing evidence that living in a greener neighbourhood can be good for health and wellbeing, but most research has focused on public green spaces such as parks and playing fields. The current research used data collected by Natural England’s Monitor of Engagement with the Natural Environment Survey, the world’s largest survey collecting data on people’s weekly contact with the natural world.
A collaborative partnership
The work was undertaken as part of the University of Exeter’s collaborative partnership with the RHS on wellbeing and gardening. The study was supported by Innovate and NIHR's Health Protection Research Unit in Environmental Change and Health at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, in partnership with Public Health England and in collaboration with University College London and the Met Office.
Professor Alistair Griffiths, RHS Director of Science and Collections and co-author on the paper said: “This work adds to the increasing body of scientific evidence on the health benefits of gardens and gardening. As the current Covid-19 crisis has demonstrated, there’s an urgent need to include the provision of private gardens in the planning process to better support the UK’s preventative health agenda and the wellbeing of our nation.”
Find more details on the study: Spending time in the garden is positively associated with health and wellbeing: Results from a national survey in England
