A few months ago I helped review an article that Mind were doing on mental health and nature. Strangely as I am sat writing this I’ve received an email from the lady co-ordinating the review to say that it has gone live. Here is the link if you want to know more about getting back to nature to help your mental health.
I love being out in the garden. I don’t know if it does come with age, but certainly as I have got older, I enjoy it so much more. I have a fabulous, one-call-gardening advisor in my Mum, who along with my Step Dad have created the most amazing garden. There are parts of the garden that are like a secret haven. Spots where you can just sit and watch nature at work. It’s lush! It inspires me to make my garden into something lovely.
Watching the garden turn from winter colours to spring colours, wondering how the tulips actually survived those cold spells has been lovely. I’ve really noticed it this year. I’m certainly more mindful when it comes to the garden, the flowers and the birds.
This week has been a good one, with a little bit of the familiar anxiety setting in for a couple of days. I faced it, analysed it and tried as best I could to get on with it. The best I felt was 8.30 on Monday morning. I’ve been wanting to plant my veggies for ages and Monday morning, with no kids, no partner around, I donned my shorts and vest and for two blissful hours I prepped the vegetable patch and planted french beans, tomatoes, peas, spinach, lettuce, strawberries and pepper.
For those two hours I didn’t think about what thoughts had been bothering me for the previous days. I felt light, calm, immersed in what I was doing, present in that moment. Just concentrating on the task in hand. There is something incredibly satisfying, for me, in planting the fruit and vegetables then nurturing them to grow.
The process isn’t that different from self care. Ensuring the roots are right, before nurturing and growing.
It’s Mental Heath Awareness Week starting Monday. It’s also exactly a year ago that I embarked on my 130 mile challenge that covered the stunning South and East Devon coastline. Look out for a few extra blog post next week.
It’s ok not to be ok. Talk.
Much love x
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