How COVID Changed Our Use of Gardens
The unprecedented scale of the COVID-19 pandemic that took the world by storm in early 2020, had many long lasting detrimental effects. However, the enforced yoyo lockdown restrictions may have actually had a positive impact on how we view and interact with our garden spaces here in the UK.
How We Interacted With Our Green Spaces During the Pandemic | Public Health
With worldwide COVID-19 social distancing measures implemented, we could not meet or socialise in large groups inside our homes or public indoor spaces. Therefore our gardens provided many with a place to safely mix with others (albeit in restricted numbers) in the difficult and stressful period.
Gardening as a recreational hobby became incredibly popular as spending time outdoors in the fresh air was a way of managing well being and human health.
Mental Health
Understandably, the general public's lockdown anxiety manifested itself in an increase of mental health problems. The unnatural consequences of trying to limit the spread of the virus placed us in a limbo state of uncertainty. The World Health Organisation claimed in the first year of the pandemic alone, the worldwide prevalence of anxiety and depression rose by a huge 25%!
Gardening activity provided solace for many, with the therapeutic benefits of having a controllable, quiet and peaceful activity improving mental wellbeing. Home and urban gardening numbers increased, and community gardens for those who live in high density urban areas, provided the perfect blend of psychological relief and social benefits. The routine and holistic nature of home or community gardening was a welcome and healthy daily distraction from the seemingly perma-doom lockdown period.
Physical Health
The stress reduction of garden activities was often accompanied by prevalent physical health benefits. Although not traditionally high octane, the manual nature of domestic gardening presented many people with physical exercise.
According to the Royal Horticultural Society, the amount of calories burnt from just 30 minutes of gardening is comparable to badminton or yoga. Being in the fresh air instead of cooped up also benefits the Cardiovascular (heart) system and Respiratory (lungs) system. Potential reduction in obesity and blood pressure are other physiological pros of spending time in the natural environment.
Fresh Food
For many, gardens also provided food security, as the ability to grow your own produce meant amid potential food shortages and the uncertainty of the global pandemic, even on a localised scale, people felt some measure of stabilising control. A similar feeling was cultivated via urban agriculture schemes during the second world war amid food insecurity and economic challenges, especially amongst low income households.
Maximise Your Garden’s Potential
This new found appreciation for a perhaps disregarded or under-appreciated green space, has left many homeowners with big plans to revamp and pay extra attention to their gardens.
As discussed, one of the easiest and most effective ways of maximising a garden's potential, is using it for social engagement with the people who matter to you.
Here at Mr Teak we understand well placed, well designed garden furniture allows a home’s outdoor space to be transformed into a communal hub. Using legal and sustainable Indonesian plantation teak, our furniture compliments a garden space, rather than distracting from or obstructing it. All of our products not only help fight deforestation but also aid in reducing the wider logging carbon footprint.
With our centrepiece dining tables providing a communal interaction bullseye for large groups, and comfortable premium grade teak chair styles to suit any space, Mr Teak furniture could perfectly accent the language of your garden.
