Scientific research has found that spending two hours in nature each week is linked to better health and wellbeing. Taking part in community gardening can also encourage people to adopt healthier behaviours. This includes walking and eating fresh produce, and the evidence base is growing. Furthermore, the NHS are increasingly prescribing time in nature and community gardening projects as part of “green prescriptions”. The NHS is using social prescriptions (non-medical treatments benefiting our health) across the UK to tackle anxiety, loneliness, and depression. These often involve referrals to community and voluntary organisations, who carry out activities to meet social and emotional needs. How Is Gardening Great For Your Mental Health And Wellbeing?  Gardening is Therapeutic Instead of worrying about the everyday stresses of life, gardening allows us to redirect our focus. In the garden, concentrating on a physical task gives our minds a rest from the other thoughts getting us down. Gardening Connects Us with Nature We live in an increasingly urban, technology-driven world. Gardening allows us to reconnect with nature, which has a huge impact on our mental health. Spending time in outdoor spaces helps individuals destress and relax. It also allows us to overcome feelings of self-absorption and … Continue reading Doctors Are Prescribing Gardening For Anxiety & Depression