Gardening is a popular pastime for many people, and we are often asked if it is something that you can continue to do if you are diagnosed with arthritis, or how you can continue to garden safely.
Gardening can be very beneficial for both your physical and mental health. We have put together lots of tips and advice on gardening with arthritis.
What Are the Benefits of Gardening?
Gardening, in general, has health benefits for everyone, including those with arthritis, as it keeps you physically active and can boost mood and wellbeing. This in turn allows you to cope with pain, and can help alleviate low mood and anxiety.
Tending to a garden and watching it grow can also be hugely beneficial for your mental health. There is the optimism of planning and planting for the future, and watching growth with a sense of fulfilment.
Being outside in the fresh air, spending time in nature, with the world around you filling your senses is also very therapeutic.
You can connect with others through gardening. This could be through sharing flowers and vegetables or by joining a community gardening group, this allows you to get involved even if you have no or little outside space yourself.
Is there anything I should avoid doing in the garden if I have arthritis?
Gardening is a great form of exercise, you can do ‘little and often’ to keep your joints mobile. There is no ‘one-size fit all’ but it’s good to listen to your body and pace your gardening activities.
