Medicine for the mind: can gardening help beat depression?

If you’re feeling depressed and under pressure, you’re not alone. Nearly a fifth of adults in the UK experience depression or anxiety. That statistic is according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS), which also states that more women report that they suffer from the conditions than men. With over-thinking and major life events such as family bereavement, leading to depression; anyone can be at risk of the illness. However, certain genetic variations may make some more prone to the condition than others. While many are prescribed anti-depressants to help cope with depression by acting as a ‘mood enhancer’, they don’t work for everyone. But, can gardening help us battle depression? Many believe so, with reports suggesting 87% of people who garden for more than six hours per week feel happier . But why and how is this the case? Child shelling green beans Garden with your family Suffering from depression can drain you of all your confidence, so gardening as a family can be a great way in which to socialise within your comfort zone. Most kids love the garden – and spending time with you – so by creating fun tasks to improve your garden, they’ll instinctively have fun which will help lift your spirits. Why not try to grow a batch of dahlias with your little ones? Certain friendly bacteria that’s found in soil can also work in a similar way to anti-depressants by boosting the immune system, according to scientists . Someone wearing gardening gloves handing over a bowl of tomatoes Grow your own produce Why not try to grow your own vegetables? It’s believed that producing your own food can help you reconnect with our planet, its seasons and rhythms. Not only this, but tending to your crops will provide enough light exercise – […]

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