Mental health and gardening

Beechgrove gardens which is on BBC before GW is much more practical and I prefer to watch that now. More focus on gardening rather than gardeners.

"The kiss of the sun for pardon,
The song of the birds for mirth,
One is nearer God's Heart in a garden
Than anywhere else on Earth."
"God's Garden" lines 13–16, Poems, by Dorothy Frances Gurney. Circa 1913.
Apparently it was originally written down in Lord Ronald Gower’s visitor’s book, inspired by his exquisite garden at Hammerfield Penshurst. I have to agree with the sentiment, and yes, gardens and gardening can be helpful for some who are suffering from MH problems. Not for everyone, obviously, but if it works for some, why knock it?

It’s a really good half hour of advice and instruction. I like to watch both.

I'm just happy when I'm outside - either walking or gardening. never find it a chore but don't aim for perfection, just a lot of pottering and plant admiration, a little pruning, weeding and mowing. I find it very relaxing.

Housework, though - is a real effort, little reward and much resentment. I limit my efforts, to avoid headaches.

I find gardening good for my mental health just after my gardener has paid one of his monthly visits.

My garden is causing me anxiety as due to my physical health issues I can't maintain in in the way I would like. I love gardening and it breaks my heart that I can't get down on my knees to weed and tend plants. I have a man who comes to cut the lawns but he is not that great and doesn't always turn up when supposed to. I struggled to find him as so many jobs available to 'gardeners' in my area.I have had one half of the garden laid to lawn to try and make things easier but his lack of attention to edge trimming and reliability make me wonder should I have bothered, should I have just left it to go 'wild'.

I fell over in my garden the other day. Landed on my back swearing like a trooper.
Took me a while to be able to get up.
Taught me that I should always have my phone on me or it would be hours before anyone would come home and find me. And how would the emergency services get in the front door?
Yes, too much emphasis on mental health and we are so overweight as a nation. Why don't they talk about the physical effects of exercise.?
I don't often watch Gardeners World.
Not sure why not. Would rather look at plant and seed catalogues for new varieties.

I have a large garden of around a third of an acre, most of it on a steep slope. Neither me, nor my late husband were keen gardeners so we left the areas on the slope to go wild. In recent years, we gradually made the rest of the garden as easy maintenance as possible. Now I'm on my own, I find gardening even more of a chore so have employed a gardener who comes twice a month. He's not been that reliable recently so my son has stepped in a few times along with his partner and my 3 grandsons in an attempt to bring things under control.

I find the whole thing pretty stressful to be honest!

What I do find relaxing, however, apart from meeting up with friends and family etc. is my voluntary work in the forest. I work with 2 other retired women and we plant trees, prune, tidy areas and help with conservation surveys, things like deer and reptile counts. We also spend a fair bit of time drinking coffee and eating cake too.
Not sure why I don't get the same effect doing the same or similar work in my own garden but, I suspect it's the social aspect. Meeting people and working together.

The Royal College of Psychiatrists first highlighted a sharp rise in mental ill health that began after the first lockdown in March 2020. Despite the removal of restrictions, figures continue to rise, and health care professionals now generally accept that we are experiencing a mental health crisis. Not only that, but the pressure on the NHS also means that treatment is adversely affected. On that basis alone, I feel that criticism of allegedly undue focus on the problem is both unwarranted, and hurtful, despite reassurances that there is "no offence intended". The topic is not just "another BBC bandwagon", as anyone who suffers from mental health issues or has relatives or friends who do so will confirm. It is a major, everyday issue, which adversely impacts upon every layer of society. and brings misery to many lives. To argue that anyone, including Gardeners' World is "OTT" in its reference to it is, in my opinion, hurtful and unfair, and indicates a certain lack of empathy and understanding. As someone who has experienced a suicide in the family directly related to mental health issues, I make no apology for my views on this topic.

Completely agree NanaDana. How can reference to mental health and the benefits of gardening ever be offensive?

There is an assumption that everybody has a garden.

My physical health is poor and often I'm unable to go out. My garden has been a great solace to me. I find when I'm feeling low ( and it has happened a lot recently), pottering in the garden has soothed my troubled soul.
It is my haven, where I enjoy the solitude. I see gardening as a form of mindfulness, which works very well for me.

I'm not always physically up to it, but my DH and occasionally my daughter help. I have adapted my once busy garden to suit my needs.

Excellent post, NanaDana.

Some enjoy a garden, some don’t. What benefits my mental and physical health may not benefit yours. The benefits of being outside to general well-being have been known for many a year. Gardening is simply part of that. I can’t walk for miles, haven’t been able to for over 30 years. I can and do tend a garden. For me there’s a sense of calm and great satisfaction in tending a small garden which evolves to suit my increasing physical limitations. Definitely a fine weather gardener but that’s OK, the plants are still there waiting.

Why shouldn’t mental health have its time in the sun? It’s been the poor relation of the NHS ever since I became aware of it when I was 14 and my mother was sectioned for the first time.

There certainly seems to be more low mood and general dissatisfaction with life around since lockdown.
I’m not including mh problems like anxiety, depression, bipolar etc in my ‘low mood’ comment.
I feel happier when I’ve spent time gardening, dog walking or just sitting outside (warm and dry) chatting with a trusted friend.
Live, let live and encourage all of us to do things that help us live our best lives
And - try not to moan about everything 🌞

Sorry your struggling SL.. not everyone takes to Gardning.

I was told by a long time ago "women get to a certain age, then either turn to Religion or Gardning" not sure I believe that but it was Gardning for me.
Don't stress this, if you can't do see if you can get someone to help you, then just sit outside and enjoy the garden.
If you can afford a Gardning service /local gardener in a couple of times, it will also make life easier for you.

Best of luck.. I'm off to a local but big garden show today even walking around that, brings me joy.

Coronation

There is an assumption that everybody has a garden.

There seem to be more community gardens being established for those who like gardening or want to try it but don't have one of their own.

Gardening is my idea of hell...but if you're depressed etc, it's a case of what works for "you".

Some people love gardening, others crafts, others whatever.

If it works, it works.🙂

Iam64

There certainly seems to be more low mood and general dissatisfaction with life around since lockdown.
I’m not including mh problems like anxiety, depression, bipolar etc in my ‘low mood’ comment.
I feel happier when I’ve spent time gardening, dog walking or just sitting outside (warm and dry) chatting with a trusted friend.
Live, let live and encourage all of us to do things that help us live our best lives
And - try not to moan about everything 🌞

I certainly think people are more angry and stressed.

Whether that's lockdowns, cost of living, or whatever, there is a lot of anger and resentment around.

Which is a shame. Sometimes you just need to find whatever gives you some joy.

And, it doesn't need to cost anything. 😗

Well it works for me.Nothing makes me forget any troubles like a session in the garden.When I went through a particularly stressful time I realised I was never happier than when I was digging,weeding or surrounded by nature.But I realise its not for everyone.A friend finds crotchet and crafting is her thing.Another paints.But GW is a gardening programme so I don't have a problem with them discussing the benefits.

I think both Monty and Adam have gone through depression so they are talking from experience with regards to the well being benefits of gardening. It's right to encourage us to spend time tending to nature, caring for wildlife and planting seeds, we feel good because we are doing something worthwhile. Bit of a win-win really.

I am a very keen gardener and it is the best place to destress me. Gardening connects us to our ancestry where being in contact with the land and producing something to eat or of beauty gives most of us a feeling of well-being. I believe it has been proved that being surrounded by green whether in a garden, forest of field brings solace to thhe soul.

I am like travelsafar and my garden stresses me. It was always DH’s area and I definitely do not have green fingers. Parts of it are very overgrown. The chap I got in to do some gardening is a waste of money. He achieves almost nothing. I am going to sack him.
There is also the problem that I live in a link detached, so the only way to reach the back garden is through the garage and the extension behind it.
My daughter is really busy but she loves gardening and she works miracles in 15 minutes.
I limit myself to 20 minutes plus five to clear up, then 20 minutes for my knees and back to recover.
My mental health is best served by singing in a choir.

Personally being able to garden really helps my anxiety. While I am busy in the garden that is all I focus on it's balm to my soul.

Well, my mental health will be severely affected if dh dares to mow the nice new patch of buttercups in our tiddly little lawn* - he’s had strict instructions, so I will go off my rocker.

*I use the term loosely - it’s mostly wildflowers aka weeds.

The resident tortoise (prehistoric) is known as Spike O’Saurus.