Having a Bad Day? Try the Therapeutic Power of Gardening
By Dawn Carey, Consultant Editor Good News Post and CEO In Charley's Memory
As the CEO of a mental health charity, there’s an expectation that my mental health is always good. Well, I can assure you that, like everyone else, I also have days when it feels like it’s all getting on top of me!
Trying to find over £300k a year to keep our doors open certainly comes with a great deal of stress.
There’s no such thing as a miracle cure, but there are some things I like to do that help me on those days.
For complete transparency: I am not a gardener—not even close. I’ve had far too many garden disasters to call myself a gardener. But here’s the thing: I try!
Every single summer, I take myself off to the supermarkets to see what delights have arrived. I’m always after the same thing: something with pretty flowers and a beautiful scent.
This year, I’ve planted mock orange, stocks, a climbing rose, sweet peas and—finally—I’ve got my hands on a wisteria! The Amethyst Falls variety, which will happily grow in a large pot and, all being well, give me an abundance of trailing flowers this summer.
And the lilac bush my children bought me for Mother’s Day last year has doubled in size!
So why is my garden my sanctuary?
Well, there’s something magical about listening to the wildlife, watching the plants sway in the breeze, and smelling that sweet lilac scent.
Planting the seeds and having faith in nature—seeing something you’ve nurtured blossom—gives a wonderful sense of accomplishment (this also sounds like parenthood).
And, not least, because the whole process truly helps reduce stress.
So next time you’re having a bad day, go and sit outside in the garden or a park. Use all of your senses to help you unwind—because honestly, it’s magical.
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