Research backs gardening therapy

Research carried out in Leicestershire has revealed gardening is good for people with learning disabilities and mental illness. The study for the charity, Thrive, found time in the garden aided relaxation, improved social skills and gave a sense of achievement. The three-year study by a Loughborough University team looked at over 900 gardening-based projects. The team said results showed gardening was a valuable kind of therapy.

Groups involved in the study included those with learning difficulties and serious mental health problems, the long-term unemployed, victims of torture, and people with physical health problems and disabilities. The research revealed that being outside in the fresh air, undertaking the physical exercise that gardening demands, working with nature and nurturing plants, all helped to improve clients' health and well-being. Dr Jo Aldridge, one of the principal researchers, said: "Many of those who took part in the study were socially excluded and institutionalized in their daily lives. "They had little opportunity to get out in the fresh air and work alongside others. "In most cases clients' social skills and self-confidence increased as a result of taking part in gardening activity at projects."

Source; BBC News 24

Art Therapy

Richard Brook, Chief Executive of Mind said: “Art and creativity can be an important means of self-expression for people with mental health problems, and can help break the stigma surrounding mental ill health".

Source; Mind

My own personal view...

Over the years I think it’s fair to say there has been a lot of research into how and why gardening and art may help us. The overriding conclusions of such research always appears to be constructive.

Take self-expression for example. in my opinion positive self expression can only make your life easier. Therefore, I believe we all need to find a way to achieve it and both gardening and painting are widely recognised ways to make it possible. It sounds easy doesn't it - find a way to express what your feeling and you're happy ever after! If only it were that simple! There are all sorts of pressures in today's world. Unless your lucky enough to have a career that fulfils both mind and body, for many people there's simply not always the time or you may not have the inclination to fit in a bit of ‘You Time’.

Then there is the ‘confidence issue’. When it comes to art or gardening people often say to themselves, “I can’t draw!” or “Everything I try to grow has died!” Speaking from my own experience when using a brush or trowel I have to add that at times it’s not always a bed of roses, if you excuse the pun! You do get days when you rush out into the garden one morning, full of anticipation, only to find that plant you have been nurturing for weeks is now ready to be added to the compost heap! Despite your best intension the dog in your latest painting looks more like Bambi or the sleek yacht breaking the surf resembles an oil tanker breaking up! But that shouldn't detract us from having a go. Whoever thought of the phrase beginning with, “It’s the taking part...” was observant to the needs of others and not necessarily their achievements.

I may not always be pleased with the end result, in fact I rarely am, but simply using my brush and paints to get something down on paper is completely absorbing. The satisfaction and pride I feel after spending a few hours working in the garden getting that soil under my nails is completely rejuvenating, mind you it’s often mixed with an extreme pain in my back! In my opinion, whatever our state of mind or body the pursuit of creativity has to be worth making.