Mental Health & Gardening

Gardening can improve many aspects of mental health, including focus and concentration. It also Improves mood. It can make you feel more peaceful, content. taking your attention away from the immediate issues for a short time, Gardening can reduce negative thoughts and feelings making you feel better in the moment.

Gardening has come to the rescue for many people confronted by all sorts of challenges myself included, I'll be honest until a couple of years ago I never really thought about it.

I enjoyed going to my allotment doing my job then coming home little did I know I was building a very special relationship with nature and a place of haven.

In July of 2020 I sadly lost my Dad unexpectedly and the events that followed my dad's passing will never leave me, I quickly felt troubled, unbalanced and alone, what happened should never have taken place. I felt wronged. For the next few months I was on a downward spiral.

So where is this going you ask??

Mentally I was unwell but I could not admit it, I had nothing else to give, but I had one place where I could go, my allotment: It always had a pull it felt like it was calling me, if I felt sad or angry I knew just being out in my safe haven could make all the difference, working and reasoning with myself, on my lowest days a little robin would come and say hello and stay with me until I went home I know this was dad checking on me and telling me it's ok, and to keep going. and that I did with some great support along the way,

Where does Mental Health link into what I'm telling you ??

It is only now when I look back and realise how naïve I was about Mental Health, how I denied having a problem despite everyone's best efforts. with time and being outdoors in my allotment and the joy it brings me I can see what gardening can bring, it gives you freedom, a place of your own, the littlest thing can give you so much joy and can change your outlook on life, it can inspire you to push yourself into new adventures just like I'm doing now. I've always seen Allotments and Gardens as a safe haven for your mental health and help you fell better – that's a fact – and the real magic is that anyone, anywhere can enjoy their healing power

Manage or look after your mental health. With me I have my allotment ( Happy Acres ) and I base my mental health around it, So if it's raining or dark nights I'm doing something that will benefit my allotment such as planning, making videos for my YouTube Channel (Happy Acres), or reading to enhance my knowledge.

What about now ?? I'm in a very good place, I Have my Allotment and YouTube Channel where I try my best to help others with growing veggies and cooking, I get fantastic joy out of doing it and have received praise from the local press, if I can help or make somebody's life easier I will.

Be Respectful

The feeling of being on your own is not nice so always be respectful you may not know what that person is going through it's easier to smile than ask for help.

Please use this page and add any comments you see fit and add your own stories and experiences. For more from myself please click on the apps in the top right hand corner to take you to my other social media and become part of the Happy Acres family on YouTube, Facebook, Instagram & Now podcasting

Thanks Happy People

Chris