Healthy garden for a healthy you

1. Gardening for health

Think how stiff you feel after even half an hour on your hands and knees in the garden. This proves that you are working muscles, even sometimes working up a sweat and getting some aerobic work in. Apart from the emotional wellbeing, your body will benefit from a bit of gardening every week.

2. Keeping sane

Breathing the fresh air, hearing the sounds of birds and insects, soaking up some sun - not too much though - and just being somewhere that is different from the office is good for your soul. Turn your healthy and thriving garden into a retreat from the hassles of the world.

3. Outside encouragement

You are far more likely to spend time in your garden if you make it an attractive space to be in. Even simple tidying up around the place will encourage you to get outside. And then it will become a healthy cycle - you'll feel good about being outside so you'll do whatever you can to get out there.

4. A quiet space

Try setting up special areas in your garden for quiet contemplation. Place a seat in a spot enfolded by trees or other vegetation for nothing but quiet sitting. A water feature or outdoor sculpture can provide a focus for reflective moments.

5. Love that lawn

Sure, water's a precious resource and we have to get smarter with how we use it. But that doesn't mean lawns have to get cast aside completely. Certain grasses, like Sir Walter Buffalo, are hardy, drought resistant and complement a healthy garden perfectly - plus open lawn areas are perfect for kids to play, jump, run and scramble around on!

6. Indulge those senses

When planning your outdoor spaces, consider all your senses. Consider the power of floral fragrances wafting through the air; think how therapeutic the sound of running water can be; surround yourself with colourful flowers and foliage. Make your garden come alive and you will along with it.

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