Tending to tomatoes, raising runner beans and caring for cabbages could all reduce stress and encourage healthy ageing, according to new research released by Cardiff Metropolitan University. Researchers at the Cardiff School of Health Sciences have been investigating whether outdoor physical and leisure activities may offer more benefits to health in later life compared to indoor activities. In a recent study, they found that allotment gardeners aged over 50 had significantly lower levels of perceived stress levels when compared to other adults of similar ages who were active in other outdoor and indoor activities. The research paper is available here http://horttech.ashspublications.org/content/21/5/577.abstract