Research shows that gardening is good for you. As well as providing physical exercise, being outside in nature can benefit us mentally, helping to reduce anxiety and make us feel better about ourselves. Horticultural therapy uses gardening to build self-esteem and confidence, improve social skills and develop new skills.
Could this be for you, or someone you care for? Find out more about the benefits of therapeutic gardening at Ridgeline.
It helps physically
In the Ridgeline garden, physical activity is part of the normal routine – e.g. bending, stretching, walking, carrying when doing tasks like planting, raking or weeding. These all help to improve physical fitness, mobility and fine and gross motor skills, and reduce risk factors such as heart disease. Physical activity improves mental health, building self-confidence, reducing anxiety and helping with depression, and stimulating those with Alzheimer’s or dementia. At Ridgeline, we adapt tasks to suit people’s abilities e.g. with our raised beds, levels paths and special tools.
It helps mentally
Sessions at Ridgeline provide everything from the gratification of helping to maintain such a beautiful space to the satisfaction of seeing a plant grow and flourish. Tasks like seed-sowing can help with memory and concentration.
Being outdoors in nature
Ridgeline’s garden is calm and restful, filled with colour and birdsong. And alongside the different smells and textures, everyone gets to taste the fruit of their hard work.
A relaxed, social environment
Working alongside others, spotting birds together or chatting over a cup of tea, there are plenty of opportunities to get to know others. Our beneficiaries rate the social side of things as a major part of what they enjoy at Ridgeline.