Tag: courses on gardening to help beat depression

Green exercise from gardening is good for you

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Last post-up,you were promised a follow-up to cover the benefits to health of exercise from gardening.

Well, big in the news recently is the survey carried out for the BBC’s Gardner’s World Magazine. The results of the survey have certainly and rapidly circulated around the world. Many newspapers have carried the bloomin’ good message: gardening can make you happier and more satisfied with life.

The results of the survey of 1,500 people in the UK showed that 80% of gardeners in the sample were satisfied with their lot, whereas just 67% of non-gardeners felt the same way.Furthermore, 97% of those who gardened regularly believed the green exercise they enjoyed improved their mood.

Researchers at the University of Essex believe  gardening to be a great benefit in the battle against depression.Short term benefits can help over the longer term.

So there you have it. It seems that the simplicity and tranquility found in the garden,and the responsibility for care-giving to growing things that gardening engenders adds to a person’s general wellbeing.

Also remember, during a heatwave, to take it easy in the garden as little really needs to be done. Why not sit in the shade and enjoy looking at all your good work!

For two items of press coverage you can go here for blooming’ cheer and for benefits of green exercise here.

 

 

How you can go to ‘pot’ and live more happily

Going to 'pot'

Gardening is good for you.Yes, its official! Go potting and help your wellness.Gardening could soon be prescribed by your doctor if you are feeling depressed and under the weather.

Potting plants rather than popping pills may soon be the order of the day to deal with depression and related illnesses, with consequential health benefits to the patient ,and significant financial benefit to the UK National Health Service budget.

Sir Richard Thompson, President of the Royal College of Physicians, and a long time  advocate of gardening as an important alternative therapeutic remedy for depression,has recently confirmed he is strongly in favour of gardening courses being used as an alternative to medicines in many cases. This was said by him recently in the context of greater choice likely to be made available under health reforms going through the UK Parliament.

Whether or not the NHS through the GPs support this development,  the message from many quarters – Alan Titchmarsh is reported very keen on this-is : gardening is good for you , and it is free! You can also catch a news report from last year on gardening courses to help beat depression  from the Daily Mirror.