- Community
- Sustainability
16 August 2024
World Wellbeing Week: Live Well, Grow Well!
To celebrate World Wellbeing Week, we’re taking a look at the benefits of spending time in the great outdoors – something residents of our Monk’s Court development in Bagby find easy, as each of their homes comes with a dedicated area of allotment land for them to enjoy!
As well as offering homeowners extra green space, allotments deliver a wide range of additional wellbeing benefits, from providing more opportunities to get outdoors and connect with nature, to encouraging more physical activity throughout the year and helping people connect with their neighbours.
Best of all, being able to grow their own produce offers a cost-effective way to feed a hungry household too! Read on to find out more…
Physical health and wellbeing
One of the primary benefits of tending an allotment is the positive impact doing so has on your physical health. Gardening activities, from digging to weeding, involve a range of movements, all of which help improve cardiovascular health, strength and flexibility, while the fresh air and exposure to sunlight boost vitamin D levels, improving your bone health and immune system.
Allotments also encourage healthier eating habits, as growing your own fruit and vegetables ensures a steady supply of fresh, organic products that are free from pesticides and harmful chemicals but packed with vitamins and minerals.
Mental health benefits
Gardening helps reduce stress and anxiety while simultaneously producing calming and therapeutic feelings. The act of nurturing plants and watching them grow fosters a sense of accomplishment and purpose and this connection with nature can be particularly beneficial for those suffering from depression or chronic stress.
The repetitive nature of tasks like planting and watering also allows individuals to focus on the present moment, promoting mental clarity and reducing the incessant mental chatter associated with modern life. The allotment becomes a sanctuary where one can escape the pressures of daily life, providing a space for relaxation and mental rejuvenation.
Community and social interaction
As communal spaces in which individuals from different backgrounds can get together and enjoy a shared interest, allotments also play a crucial role in fostering a sense of community. This environment encourages social interaction, collaboration and the exchange of knowledge and skills and can often lead to lasting friendships and a strong sense of belonging.
Participating in an allotment community can also provide a support network. Gardeners often share surplus produce, advice and encouragement with one another, creating social connections and a sense of camaraderie that can be particularly beneficial for the elderly or those living alone.
Environmental sustainability
Allotments contribute significantly to environmental sustainability. They promote biodiversity by creating habitats for a variety of plants, insects and animals, and this biodiversity is crucial for maintaining ecological balance and supporting pollinators like bees, which are vital for food production.
Growing food on allotments also reduces the carbon footprint associated with transporting produce over long distances, while allotment holders often practise sustainable gardening techniques, such as composting, rainwater harvesting and organic farming, all of which help conserve resources and reduce waste.
Happy World Wellbeing Week!
As it’s clear to see that having an allotment is a pathway to a healthier, more fulfilling lifestyle, why not follow the link below to find out more about the allotments that come with every single property at our new Monk’s Court development?!