Avoid DIY disasters - garden your way to good health

Why stay inside doing DIY when you could be gardening your way to good health over this Bank Holiday weekend?

Not only can you avoid becoming one of more than 200,000 victims of DIY disasters recorded each year but by doing a spot of gardening you can enjoy fresh air and fitness in your very own green gym!

Did you know:

Turning over top soil for a couple of hours (360 calories/hour)2 will burn off more than you would taking to your trainers for that early morning run for half an hour. (690 calories/hour).

An hour of lawn-mowing burns as many calories as an hour's bike ride at a 10mph pace (360 calories/hour).

An hour clearing of wheelbarrow chores will burn off the equivalent of a 60-minute brisk walk (300 calories/hour).

Planting seeds for an hour uses up as much energy as a couple of games of badminton (270 calories/hour).

What's more, gardening can help you:

Keep fit. Moderate exercise can help prevent obesity and cut your risk of heart disease, stroke and type 2 diabetes.

Feel better. Physical activity like gardening can help you feel better about yourself. It reduces anxiety levels, and can improve self-esteem.

Sleep well. Like other types of exercise, gardening may help you sleep better.

Eat well. If you grow your own fruit and vegetables, you are more likely to eat your recommended five portions a day.

Stay well. The sites and smells of a garden have benefits for mind as well as body and are often used in rehabilitation and caring for people with dementia.

For the First time Bupa has teamed up with award-winning garden designer Cleve West to enter a show garden in this year's RHS Chelsea Flower Show. For further details visit bupa.co.uk/about

For more information on health matters visit bupa.co.uk/health