According to a new study, gardening can increase our confidence, improve our self-esteem and boost our appreciation of our bodies. This confirms what we already know about gardening being the perfect activity to get us through the current social distancing regulations.
The research, conducted by Anglia Ruskin University, looked specifically at allotment gardening. 84 allotment and community gardeners from London were asked to complete a body image 'measure of state' before and after spending time on their allotments. This was then compared to scores from non-gardening groups.
Both groups were also asked to rate themselves on several body image traits, including 'body appreciation', 'functionality appreciation' and 'body pride'.
What did the results find?
Results from the study found that allotment gardening improved the way people felt about their bodies, making them feel more confident and boosting their self-esteem.
"The impact of allotment gardening on body image has not been previously assessed, despite evidence that exposure to natural environments elevates positive body image," explains the study. "These results corroborate previous work suggesting that exposure to natural environments brings real benefits in terms of positive body image."
The full findings have been published in the journal Ecopsychology.
How can this help us during the coronavirus outbreak?
We are currently adapting to a temporary 'new normal' which requires us to spend a lot of time at home and in our gardens. While a lot of elements in our lives currently feel out of our control, gardening is a great way to focus on a task, feel accomplished and keep our bodies and minds active.
To get you started, we've got a number of helpful gardening guides:
20 things to do in the garden during self-isolation – Complied by our Gardening Editor, this is a list of absorbing, creative projects that can keep you happily occupied and help while away the time. You may well find that during this compulsory slow-down period you have the best-kept garden you've ever had.
5 lawn mowing tips to help give garden wildlife the best chance possible – The lawn is the perfect place to start in the garden because grass is one of the earliest plants to start growing in spring – but we need to consider the wildlife in our gardens before we go straight in for the spring trim with gusto.
20 gardening tools and essentials you can get delivered to your home right now – From large, hard-working tools to useful and protective gear, this list of essentials are all available for delivery right now.
Can I still visit my allotment during the coronavirus crisis?
Whether or not allotments should stay open is somewhat of a grey area. There have been no government directions to close them. However, some councils have chosen to close their allotment sites if they weren't sure that social distancing guidelines could be met.
Cabinet minister Michael Gove told the Express: "I think it’s perfectly sensible for people to go to an allotment. It’s in the very nature of allotments that there’s a safe distance between people who are working on an individual allotment.”
But, if you are feeling unwell, are showing any COVID-19 symptoms or are self-isolating, you should stay at home, not visit your allotment and only go outside if it's in your own garden.
If you are visiting an allotment, the National Allotment Society has explained some of the rules to adhere to. These include...
- Keep hand sanitiser in your shed and wash your hands regularly
- Use hand sanitiser before opening and after closing any gate locks
- Wash hands when you get home
- Do not share tools
- Minimise the contact with each other for example no handshakes
- Do not wash your hands in water troughs
- Observe social distancing with each other 2-3 metres
- If you take your children to the plot, ensure that they stay within its confines and do not run around on communal paths and spaces.
20 gardening tools and essentials you can get delivered to your home right now
Moving mulch, compost or soil to your garden beds? A wheelbarrow is an essential to save your back. One-wheeled, two-handled options are great for manoeuvrability, but if you're limited in strength you may want to opt for a dual-wheeled one.
A fantastic spade that's RHS-approved, this stainless steel choice is rust-resistant and won't need regular sharpening, making it easy to maintain. Long-handle spades like this are great for digging large plots and transferring soil (not to mention being easier on your back). This is also a sustainable choice with the handle made from FSC-certified ash.
V&A William Morris Gardening Gloves
Add a splash of bold and beautiful colour to your garden activities with these stylish William Morris-print gloves. Not just for good looks, of course, they'll also protect you from thorns and brambles while you're working.
Keep your garden looking spic and span and free from leaves and debris with this top-notch DeWit rake, which makes clearing up much more pleasurable.
Sicilian lemon kneeler pillow
Protect your knees while getting in amongst the borders with this pretty kneeler. Or you might prefer strap-on knee pads so you don't have to keep moving it – BUY NOW, £14.99
Protect your clothes and get organised with a stylish gardening apron. Whether you're planting new flowerbeds, picking vegetables or potting around in the shed or greenhouse, this trusty apron will ensure clothes stay clean. What's more, all important tools, seeds and more can be stored close to hand in the front pocket.
Webb electric rotary mower ER40 15"
Opt for a more eco-friendly electric lawnmower as opposed to a petrol one.
Ensyure your hedges and borders looks super-smart with an easy-lift, lightweight, cable-free trimmer for quick and easy grooming.
RHS Burgon and Ball stainless steel digging fork
An efficient tool for turning soil, garden forks can dig into dense soil better than a spade. This one made from rust-proof stainless steel with forged tines for extra strength, is a high-quality digging fork that's endorsed by the RHS. Need we say more?
personalised Personalised Fork And Trowel Gardening Set For Gardener
This personalised fork and trowel set is the perfect gift for your gardening-loving friend.
Personalised Copper Plated Garden Pruner Secateurs
Plants taking over? Pruning shears, or secateurs as they're also known, help reign in plants that are getting out of control. They're also perfect for trimming flowers, like roses. Why not match yours to your hand trowel and fork for stylish trio?
This well-crafted garden hoe will make light work of clearing weeds from your flower beds, borders and veg plots. The extra-long handle will also protect you from back strain.
All gardens need a trusty watering can to keep flowers and plants thriving. This durable one is available in three sizes, so you can choose the one to suit your outdoor space. The 1.5L is perfect for herb pots on plant stands. The 5L for small gardens with plant pots and flowers. And the biggest, the 10L for vast rural flowerbeds and herb gardens.
Tackle a variety of different tasks around your garden with ease with the simple press of a button. This handy trimmer can be used to edge the borders of your lawn, and a wheel is fitted to the trimmer, making it easier to follow the edges around walls and fences. There's also a shrubbing mode, making it simple to tackle difficult-to-reach areas, like under benches and bushes.
Keep track of what you've planted with these stylish slate plant labels. The set comes complete with a square soapstone pencil, which allows you to interchange the labels with what's in season or current family favourites
Keep everything together in a clever storage box that also doubles up as a foldable seat. You'll enjoy gardening so much more if you're comfortable and everything is to hand. The removable bag fastens with press studs and includes spacious side compartments for hand tools, dibbers, pens, string, and other necessities, and a central section perfect for larger items or a spot of lunch.
Another handy cutting tool, loppers are basically long-handled pruning shears used to trim hard-to-reach areas and cut thicker branches.
RSPB Garden wildlife camera - new
Don't miss the incredible action going on in your own garden. A good wildlife camera will capture all the exciting activity. This one from RSPB can be used to view anything from birds on a feeder, bird tables and nest box entrances, to hedgehogs and other nocturnal wildlife. It can also even be used to keep an eye on the garden or house as a security camera.
Maintain an ideal growing environment with an easy-to-use soil tester kit. You can test the pH and nutrient profile of your soil, think soil acidity and levels of nitrogen, phosphorus and potash, to see if it needs extra help.
SPGOOD 50FT/15M Expanding Garden Hose Set with Splitter, Foam Water Bottle Expandable Garden Hose, 9 Futions Spray
Water is the foundation of your garden’s life and it’s important that your garden hose can reach and spray every area. If you buy one with an adjustable nozzle, it puts you in control of the water pressure and spray radius. You can also buy nozzles separately.
The information in this story is accurate as of the publication date. While we are attempting to keep our content as up-to-date as possible, the situation surrounding the coronavirus pandemic continues to develop rapidly, so it's possible that some information and recommendations may have changed since publishing. For any concerns and latest advice, visit the World Health Organisation. If you're in the UK, the National Health Service can also provide useful information and support, while US users can contact the Center for Disease Control and Prevention.
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Lisa Joyner is the Deputy Daily Editor at House Beautiful UK and Country Living UK, where she's busy writing about home and interiors, gardening, dog breeds, pets, health and wellbeing, countryside news, small space inspiration, and the hottest properties on the market. Previously, she has written for Conde Nast Traveller, House & Garden and Marie Claire magazine. Lisa studied at University For The Creative Arts, where she completed a BA in Fashion Journalism.
