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Gardening your way to better health
As a new report reveals the physical and mental health benefits of gardening, Mary-Claire Mason talks to health professionals who are prescribing gardening therapy and helping patients to transform their lives.

As a new report reveals the physical and mental health benefits of gardening, Mary-Claire Mason talks to health professionals who are prescribing gardening therapy and helping patients to transform their lives
A King's Fund report published in May found overwhelming evidence of the beneficial effects of gardening on physical and mental wellbeing. Commissioned by the National Gardens scheme last year, Gardens and Health – Implications for Policy and Practice shows how gardening can:
- Help tackle obesity
- Reduce heart disease and cancer
- Increase physical activity levels
- Improve confidence, resilience and self-esteem
- Reduce falls
- Improve balance
Picture: Sydenham Gardens
The report's author, King's Fund senior fellow David Buck, says gardening should be prescribed as a non-clinical treatment. He hopes the
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