New research released by the Royal Horticultural Society reveals a significant association between gardening more frequently and improvements in wellbeing, perceived stress and physical activity.

The study surveyed more than 6,000 people and results indicate that those who garden every day have wellbeing scores 6.6% higher and stress levels 4.2% lower than people who don’t garden at all.

RHS Wellbeing Fellow and lead author, Dr Lauriane Chalmin-Pui, says: “This is the first time the ‘dose response’ to gardening has been tested and the evidence overwhelmingly suggests that the more frequently you garden – the greater the health benefits.

“In fact, gardening every day has the same positive impact on wellbeing than undertaking regular, vigorous exercise like cycling or running.

“When gardening, our brains are pleasantly distracted by nature around us. This shifts our focus away from ourselves and our stresses, thereby restoring our minds and reducing negative feelings.”

Respondents who gardened two to three times a week had a 4.1% higher wellbeing score and 2.4% lower stress levels compared to people who don’t garden at all. However, gardening fewer than three times a month has less of a positive impact.

The study conducted by the RHS in collaboration with the University of Sheffield and the University of Virginia found that more frequent gardening was also linked with greater physical activity, supporting the notion that gardening is good for both body and mind.

Energy

Dr Chalmin-Pui adds: “Gardening is like effortless exercise because it doesn’t feel as strenuous as going to the gym, for example, but we can expend similar amounts of energy.

“Most people say they garden for pleasure and enjoyment so the likelihood of getting hooked to gardening is also high and the good news is that from a mental health perspective, you can’t ‘over-dose’ on gardening!

“Pleasure and enjoyment’ is the reason why six in 10 people garden. Nearly a third say they garden for the ‘health benefits’; one in five say ‘wellbeing’ is the reason they garden; and 15% say it makes them feel calm and relaxed.

Co-author, Dr Ross Cameron of the University of Sheffield, commented; “This research provides further empirical data to support the value of gardening and gardens for mental restoration and ‘promoting a calmness of mind’.

“We also found a greater proportion of plants in the garden was linked with greater wellbeing, suggesting even just viewing ‘green’ gardens may help.”

Those with health problems stated gardening eased episodes of depression (13%), boosted energy levels (12%) and reduced stress (16%).

The report adds to a mountain of evidence showing the positive health benefits of gardening. One study found that calories burnt from 30 minutes of gardening is comparable to playing a social game of badminton, volleyball or practicing yoga.