They Are Great
Places for Exercise
It may not be the
first place that comes to mind when thinking about where to complete your
workout but our gardens provide a great spot for exercising. Outdoor gym equipment can be easily installed to allow you to work out in the fresh air. This will also save you money in the long term as you can cancel your expensive gym membership. Many
sports can also be played outside such as football and padel – a popular alternative to tennis. Doing
all of this outside in the sun will also allow you to soak up some much-needed Vitamin D
which supports healthy teeth and bones.
You Can Spend More Time with Loved Ones
Our gardens are also great places to hang out with your friends and family. From starting a garden project, hosting a BBQ, to practising yoga or painting the options are almost endless. Gardens are also ideal for encouraging your children to spend time with nature and learn about the world around them. Just make sure that you’re keeping your littles safe from the sun with a canopy or adequate shade.
They Improve Wellbeing
It’s widely
documented that spending time in the fresh air and connecting with nature has
benefits for our mental health. Gardening can even help those with depression
and anxiety and it’s been shown that living near green spaces can reduce mental
distress. Gardening is also prescribed by GPs for rehabilitation. As well
as our own house gardens, community spaces are effective at helping people to
make new social connections and improve their general wellbeing.
They Can Be Enjoyed All Year Round
Although many of us tend to only regularly use our
gardens during the summer, there’s always something to experience and enjoy
throughout the year. From growing your own plants in a greenhouse during the
winter months to inviting friends round for a picnic in the summer. By creating a
sheltered area you can enjoy these activities in all weathers too. Shade sails are a stylish yet practical option as they
offer protection from UV rays and come in a range of colours and sizes. Or opt
for a modern retractable canopy design, the A&S
Landscape canopies UK range is a great place to start.
They Have a Positive Impact on Wildlife and the Environment
Gardens not only benefit us directly but also the world around us. They create a habitat for many animals and play an important part in the local ecosystem which keeps nature in balance. Many flowers help pollinators, such as bees, to survive too. You can also make easy changes to your space to make it even more supportive to wildlife by setting up woodpiles for hibernation or bug hotels for insects to live in.
And it doesn’t stop there. Our gardens can also
positively affect the environment as plants can absorb carbon dioxide and trees
also produce oxygen. By growing your own fruit and veg you can also cut your
carbon footprint and impact on the planet as there won’t be packaging from the
supermarket and the food hasn’t travelled a long journey to get to your plate.
They Let You Be Creative, Organised and Purposeful
Outdoor spaces can
also be a brilliant creative outlet where you can design the space to your own
needs and requirements. You can have complete creative control over how the
space looks at different times of the year depending on what you decide to
plant. This is one of the many reasons why gardening is such a popular hobby
with those young and old.
You Can Reap The Rewards of What You Grow
By growing your
own food in the garden you can save money on your bills for many months and
years to come. Caring for plants and watching them gradually grow is also very
satisfying and a great way to engage your children with healthy eating. But
don’t forget it’s not all about growing food, making a bouquet of flowers from
your garden can brighten up your home and makes a great gift too.
They Teach Kids About Our Planet
Gardens are an
effective tool in teaching children about wildlife, the environment and how the
natural world works. By gaining an interest in this, children are much more
likely to consider their impact on the world and want to find ways to lessen
this.
And so it’s clear that gardens have many benefits and uses and will always be a huge part of our lives. Whether you are giving your space some TLC or planning a garden party, make sure you get outside and enjoy your space throughout the year.