Work first, play later, Mom always used to say. :)

So true, and it's not just the big, "rock-moving" work but the daily pick a weed here, trim a shrub there kind of work.

Still, that kind of work, for the right kind of person, can be its own reward, and when you get in the "flow" it does feel kind of relaxing.

Gardening is work, but it is satisfying work. If your regular job is one where sucess is achieved slowly over a measured amount of time, weeding gives a quick boost of accomplishment. On the other hand, being in a job with delayed gratification also prepares one for a garden...where one plants a seed...and waits.

Isn't that the truth! Looks like I won't be relaxing for about 10yrs.

I wouldnt say that gardening is relaxing but I find it a great antidote to stress. It helps me unwind after a stressful day at work. I lose myself in my plants and concentrating on pricking out or weeding is great. I suppose in this way it could be seen to be relaxing.

Gardening gives relax to our body. I like very much to do the gardening. I and my sister and father always enjoy with the gardening.

For me, the relaxing part of gardening is all about the mental state achieved, not the physical one. When I can take a stab at the soil with a sharp spade, I'm able to unwind the tension everyday life creates in me, and I'm less likely to "stab" at my family with unkind looks and words.

Interesting and so true! Check out the stories on Garden Rant yesterday - my LORD the hard work reported on by commenters is so exhausting I can hardly stand to read it all.

I have to put myself in the camp that finds the mental state I achieve while gardening the relaxing part. I've always been an A type and physically active. I like the feeling of accomplishment I get when I successfully tackle a rock or stubborn root. I like the feeling of my muscles moving. Most of all, what can beat being outside, listening to the birds and stopping to smell the flowers? Through gardening, I can achieve the same peace that I achieve while meditating.

So true. But, it is a great way for me to deal with my depression. I can't believe the progress I have made, it makes me proud that I have been able to accomplish so much in such a short time. Relax? Not so much!

My garden is well established now but when you live in an area with intense seasonal swings .. you KNOW what work is going to lay you flat out .. established or not .. I have done this already a few times early in our season. Yet I keep coming back for more ? Gardeners are obsessed ? resilient ? or just plain stark raving mad .. haha
So it depends on your personal definition of relaxing ..

I guess we all have different definitions of what it means to relax. I relax by gardening, be it moving rocks or weeding or pruning or planting. Or by doing the fencing (an ongoing task when you have horses). Or even by writing, even though writing is my day job too.

The main thing is not to STRESS over the gardening tasks, which I think is easier to do if you're not growing veggies for food (I don't as a rule) or aren't trying to keep up with the neighbours. Sure things get way ahead of me by times, but it's okay. I garden for the pleasure of it and to encourage others to do so for the same reasons, not to impress anyone.
And to qualify that--I'm not the sunbathing or hanging around in a lawnchair sort anyway. If I was, probably I'd complain about the gardening keeping me from relaxing. I'm too type A, Stuart, bet you couldn't tell that! :-)

I thought 'blood, sweat and tears' meant relaxing!
Loved this post, Stuart.

I've read that it's the lack of control that generally brings stress and gardening is, supposedly, about one imposing control over nature. Not sure I agree completely with that (--if I was in control, there would be no weeds, gophers or rabbits in my garden). I do think working in the garden can be stress reducing much like a good workout at the gym and, for most, it's a change (change is good!) from what they do for a living.

It is a really good way to relax and relieve stress too.

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