Why Work in Gardening? 10 Health-Boosting Benefits

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If you’re considering a career change, or even if you’re just curious about what a career in gardening could offer you, research suggests you’re in for a treat – studies have revealed that gardening provides a sizeable boost to both mental and physical health.

Want some even better news? The Real Green Gardener is hiring! We’re looking for a Horticulture Apprentice and Team Leader Gardener to join our talented team. Discover our available vacancies.

Offering sociable hours, fresh air and endless satisfaction, it’s no wonder gardening is so good for our health. Here are the top 10 health-boosting benefits to a career in gardening.

10 Benefits to Working in Gardening

1. Improved Cardiovascular Health

Gardening is a great form of exercise that can help improve your cardiovascular health as well as increase flexibility and coordination. There’s a lot of movement involved in gardening, from pushing wheelbarrows to climbing ladders.

2. Simple Stress Relief

Gardening has been shown to have a calming effect on the mind and can help reduce stress and anxiety levels.

3. Increased Exposure to Sunlight

Spending time outdoors in the sunlight can help increase vitamin D levels and improve overall health.

4. Valuable Connection to Nature

Gardening can help foster a sense of connection to the natural world, which has been linked to improved mental and physical health. There are also loads of benefits to breathing in fresh air, such as greater mental clarity.

5. Beneficial Strength Building

Gardening involves a range of lifting, from carrying watering cans to moving grow bags. This subtle resistance training helps build strength, which in turn contributes to better balance and protects joints from injury.

6. Boosted Social Interaction

Joining a gardening club or community garden can provide opportunities for social interaction and connection with others who share your interests.

7. Valuable Sense of Accomplishment

Watching your plants grow and thrive can provide a sense of accomplishment and satisfaction which is great for mental health.

8. A Repertoire of New Skills

A job in gardening provides opportunities to learn about horticulture and landscaping, boosting your existing skillset. This produces a sense of accomplishment which increases dopamine levels.

9. Improved Job Security

Gardening is a growing industry, with a demand for skilled workers who can maintain and design gardens for private and public spaces. This means plenty of scope to progress and grow, resulting in rewarding career paths that isn’t going anywhere and can help you feel comfortable and fulfilled.

10. Powerful Creative Outlet

Gardening can be a creative outlet, allowing you to experiment with different planting schemes and garden designs. The Mental Health Foundation cites gardening as one of the “arts” that can help improve mental health.

A Physically and Mentally Beneficial Career

The list above includes just some of the ways that gardening can help benefit physical and mental health. There are loads of other benefits to this varied career.

At The Real Green Gardener, we’ve won awards for our gardens, including being recognised for our work at the world-famous Chelsea Flower Show. Gardening provides a sense of achievement, recognition and a way to build a portfolio of talent.

We’re currently looking to expand our team, with an opening for a Horticulture Apprentice who wants to gain experience and get a foot-in in this rewarding career. We’re also looking for a Team Leader Gardener who can use their existing experience to further their career in gardening.

Check out our vacancies and apply through the job page. For enquiries, send us a message or call us on 01202 722943.