Take the stress out of gardening

Gardening can be a form of therapeutic exercise. Tasks such as digging, weeding and planting can improve or maintain your: 

• flexibility
• strength 
• coordination
• dexterity 
• balance 
• heart health. 

Being in the garden can stimulate your senses, with the bright colours of flowers and the earthy smell of the soil helping you relax and feel less stressed. Taking care of plants and seeing them grow can give you a sense of accomplishment and purpose, which is good for your self esteem and mental resilience. 

Gardening also helps you focus on the here and now, offering you a break from the stress and worries that can come with Parkinson’s. Gardening in the sunlight helps your body make vitamin D and can improve your mood, making you feel better overall.
 

You may find that your Parkinson’s symptoms have taken away some of your interest in gardening, and that it now feels like more of a chore rather than something you enjoy. 

Parkinson’s affects people in different ways. But some of the most common symptoms can affect your ability to safely and efficiently carry out certain tasks. 

• A tremor can make it hard to do precise jobs like planting seeds or cutting plants carefully. 
• Stiff muscles can make it harder to bend over, kneel down, or stretch out to reach things. 
• Issues with balance and coordination can increase your risk of falls and injury while moving around garden paths or handling tools. 
• Fatigue can limit how long you can do gardening for in one session. 
• If you have problems with thinking or memory, or find it hard to plan or stay organised, you might struggle to keep up with taking care of a garden.
• Apathy may mean you put off tasks longer than you usually would, resulting in more work when you do feel up to getting into the garden.

Other, non-Parkinson’s related problems like arthritis, back pain, or breathing issues can also make it harder to garden.
 

There are different adaptations and changes you can make to help you garden safely and easily.

Choose the right tools 

• Pick tools with easy-to-hold handles and made of light materials to help reduce stress on your joints and muscles. 
• Lightweight and ‘self-propelling’ lawn mowers can make mowing easier and less tiring. 
• If you’re able to, use padded kneeler cushions with side handles to help you kneel down and stand up without hurting yourself. 
• Sitting on a stool or bench can also help you avoid having to kneel or squat. If you get one that lets you change the height, you can adjust it for different jobs in the garden. 
• Use a wheelbarrow or trolley to transport items that are heavy or awkward to carry. 

Adapt your environment 

• Growing plants in raised beds or containers can make gardening easier because you won’t have to bend down or kneel as much. 
• Putting in handrails can help you stay steady and safe, especially if you often feel unsteady on your feet. 
• Choose plants and shrubs that are low maintenance and slow growing. You may want to consider artificial grass or paving in certain areas. 
• Keep garden paths clear to avoid tripping over anything. 
• Fix any loose or uneven paving, and avoid using gravel, which can be difficult to walk on, particularly if you use a walking aid. 

Plan and prioritise 

• Break tasks into smaller, more manageable steps and take frequent breaks to help prevent fatigue. 
• On days you plan to garden, try not to schedule any other hard tasks for that day or the next day. 
• Arrange your garden in a simple way to make gardening tasks easier and less confusing.