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Depression and how gardening saved me
I have always enjoyed gardening and had often thought about setting up my own business. I have now done this. I never realised how important gardening was to me until I went through a breakdown. Having read articles and books by Monty Don I decided to pick myself up and immerse myself in gardening. There have been days where I feel as low as ever and can't get my head round anything, then I go to work and get out in clients gardens and am back to myself. I just wondered how many people have or have had similar experiences.
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About 20 years ago I had a breakdown and didn't leave the house for a few months - I suffered anxiety attacks and agoraphobia. When I was feeling a little better my friend asked me if I would go with her to study for the Flower Arranging City and Guilds which was a 3 year course.I said yes and never regretted it.My confidence gradually came back and I eventually got a job in a garden centre which I loved and stayed for 15 years until I retired. I also studied for the RHS general exam which was paid for by my employers.Plants,flowers and everything associated with them were my salvation so I know just what you mean.I still have bad days occasionally. I am so pleased you are feeling well now - gardening should be available on prescription
Pam x
Nature heals
Gardening is the very best therapy there is.
well maybe be id think wats best for me before asking adivice or seeking it sorry its like tring if youwant too grow your own biss upp then go for it. but if you do well you know wats exepected . jusy go for it and try .hope it works out for you
I suffer with fibromyalgia and osteoarthritis and any day i can spend in the garden makes life worthwhile. My allotment is where i go to escape although you can still hear cars etc its a world away from all the grot. Happy Gardening
Three years ago while living in Canada I was approached to take part in a pre-publication study on gardening and mental health by a professor at University of British Columbia. We did a tour of my garden first (I am pleased to say that it was all looking very good and the weather was perfect!) and then we started on the interview. After all the usual paperwork signing (waivers, agreement to my comments appearing, etc.) and a brief chat on my age (64), my gardening experience (moderate) and my sources for inspiration (my grandad), I had to take part in a short word-association session, answering - as is the norm - immediately with one word. There were a couple of non-gardening words and then she just threw in the word 'garden'; my reaction? "Catharsis". I had never looked on it as that before but, looking back, I had always retreated into the garden following stress at work and particularly following - over the years - the deaths of my mother and my 2 beloved brothers. I have cried and laughed, entertained and had quiet times in my garden...I have to say that, as apparently the sixth person interviewed, I was the first to produce such a reaction. I am not sure who was the most surprised!
As a counsellor, I try and encourage my clients to get out into the garden as much as they can. Of course, not everyone likes gardening, but those who do have seen some really positive changes in their lives so I'm delighted to hear these success stories too. I may even include an item about this on my blog.
Spontaneous word-association is a reliable way of discovering what the subconscious mind 'really thinks' about things. Dreams are another. You have no rational control over either.
One of the pioneers of those ideas and techniques was Carl Jung. He was a great believer, not so much in gardening, but in the power of nature to heal the mind. A really interesting book, a collection of writings by him, is called 'The Earth Has a Soul'. You can see that book on Google Books here: The Earth Has a Soul
One of my favourite quotes from that book is: 'I derive a great deal of pleasure from growing my own potatoes'.
That quote is here: Carl Jung: Growing My Own Potatoes
I concur. Nature heals through the senses and gardening is just one way to appreciate our world as a whole. No wonder nature got given her pagan monikers, she can be tough and destructive, but her wonders are sustenance for the soul.