Money worries are taking a toll on South Africans’ health, work and home lives

Tomorrow, South Africans are encouraged to celebrate the beauty and benefits of their gardens. Now in its 11th year, Garden Day promotes pausing to appreciate the green spaces that bring joy, sustenance, and connection to our lives. This year’s theme, From Garden to Table: Grow, Gather, Celebrate, emphasizes the ways gardens nourish us through the food we grow and share, the physical and mental wellbeing from spending time outdoors, and the simple pleasure of being in nature.

Durban's Elite personal trainer and mom, Shawaal Van Rooyen, highlights how connecting with nature can be a valuable part of self-care. While exercise is often linked to gyms and fitness classes, a garden offers a unique space to move, breathe, and reconnect. Whether it's stretching in the sun, strolling through the garden, or pausing to savor the scent of herbs and flowers, time spent outdoors can provide a welcome respite from daily stresses.

For van Rooyen, wellness extends beyond physical fitness to encompass how we feel and manage stress through small, meaningful actions. She encourages clients to spend time in gardens, noticing the sights, sounds, and smells, as a reminder that self-care can be simple and part of everyday life. Gardening itself can be a gentle yet significant way to care for both body and mind, with research linking it to improved mental wellbeing and quality of life.

Garden Day invites everyone to celebrate both the nourishment gardens provide at the table and the enjoyment, movement, and connection they bring to daily life. It's not about having a perfect garden; it's about making time to enjoy the green space available, whether that means sharing a meal outdoors, hosting a garden gathering with friends, or simply taking a quiet moment among the plants.

To get inspired, visit www.gardenday.co.za for ideas, and share your Garden Day experiences on social media by tagging @GardenDaySA or sending them via WhatsApp to 074 288 1487.