Gardening and being outdoors promotes good mental health and wellbeing

We all know that gardening is a wonderful way to relax, gain new skills and friends and to feel so much better in our own bodies and minds.

If you are visiting World Radio Gardening then you’ll already be convinced of the benefits, so why not tell us below about your patch of green earth and how it’s helped you.

>>> Post your comments on how a garden has helped your mental health and wellbeing at the end of this article >>>

There are plenty of local projects across the UK that support and help people with disabilities and mental health disorders through social and therapeutic horticulture. This is gardening designed to help improve physical and mental health by encouraging people to get out and about in the garden.

Additionally, it is estimated that there are around 330,000 allotments across the UK. All plots with keen gardeners making the most of their time in the open air and enjoying natural daylight (sometimes known as sunshine!).

Bob tells us about why he enjoys being out in a garden and the positive mental health and wellbeing he enjoys from nature.

The benefits of gardening and nature are starting to be recognised by official bodies, with Natural England reporting that green spaces have become more important to the public following COVID-19 lockdowns.

The NHS has launched a Green Social Prescribing (GSP) Programme over a two-year period from April 202. GSP is the practice of supporting people in engaging in nature-based interventions and activities to improve their mental health.

It can be as simple as a walk in a park or wood.

NHS England says that over 8,500 people have been referred to a green social prescribing activity during April 2021 to March 2023.

If you need immediate and further help

Contact a support service such as Samaritans by calling FREE on 116 123 at any time of day.

Mental health charity, MIND has an infoline available on 0300 123 3393 and provides a range of non-crisis support services here.