Skip to main content

Gardening for Mental Health

The activities of our everyday lives can often provide us with opportunities to pause, reflect, and be mindful.

One such activity is gardening, which has been found to have many health benefits, including:

  • Relaxation
  • Reducing stress
  • Soothing anxiety, tension and fatigue
  • Physical activity – helps improve endurance, strength, mobility and flexibility
  • Grounding and connectivity
  • A food source (if you choose an edible garden!)

As well as providing us with meaningful activity engagement, which gives us a sense of achievement and enjoyment (a core OT principle!) – which helps to boost our mood.

At a time when so many of us are disconnected from the world around us (and hyper-connected to technology) – being in a garden provides us with an opportunity for connection. As gardening is an activity that requires our full focus, it takes us away from the distractions and stressors of modern life – thus making it a great form of incidental mindfulness.

There are many ways to get the benefits – if you aren’t keen on gardening for yourself, try sitting in a garden, having a small indoor plant, or even just looking at some greenery through a window.

And for those looking for inspiration…here are some pictures from a garden created by one of our Lifeworks clients. This started as a small project, and has now evolved into a beautiful environment within her block of units…which has brought joy to herself and many others. She has found that her garden gives her a reason to “get out of the house”, and provides her with a sense of purpose, connectivity and achievement. She is also able to look out at her work through her window – so an added bonus!

Want to get started? Speak to an OT … we are seasoned professional in grading and adapting any activity to support you to get involved, no matter what your health condition. Start small…you never know what may happen!

Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Unraveling the Complexities of Functional Neurological Disorder: Insights from a Masterclass

Functional Neurological Disorder (FND) is a challenging condition that has gained increased attention in recent years, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic. On March 23, 2024, I had the privilege of attending a masterclass titled “Working with Functional Neurological Disorder: Current Diagnostic and Treatment Approaches,” presented by Dr. Vance Locke, a clinical psychologist from the University of Western Australia, and Mr. Rowan Pearce, a senior physiotherapist and head of the Complex Care Clinic at Western Kids Health. The seminar, organized by the Australian Association for Cognitive and Behaviour Therapy, shed light on the latest developments in diagnosing and treating FND, providing valuable insights for practitioners working with individuals affected by this condition. The Growing Importance of FND: Dr. Locke and Mr. Pearce began by discussing the increasing prevalence of FND, which has become more apparent during the COVID-19 pandemic. They highlighted potential links betwe...
Post a Comment
Read more

​​Improving Sleep Quality: A Holistic Approach to Well-being

Sleep is a fundamental aspect of our lives that plays a crucial role in supporting our physical, emotional, and cognitive health. At Lifeworks Occupational Therapy, we understand the profound impact that sleep-related challenges can have on overall functioning and quality of life. That’s why we have developed an approach to sleep management that is rooted in individualisation and evidence-based interventions. When it comes to addressing sleep disturbances, we take a meticulous approach. We carefully assess the factors that may be contributing to sleep difficulties and collaborate with our clients to devise tailored strategies aimed at improving overall sleep quality. Our interventions encompass a spectrum of techniques, including meaningful and purposeful activities, creating a soothing environment, and lifestyle interventions. Meaningful and Purposeful Activities (Occupations): We work closely with individuals to integrate calming activities into their daily routines before bedti...
Post a Comment
Read more

Sleep and PTSD

Sleep problems are intimately connected to PTSD, with insomnia and nightmares being common symptoms experienced by individuals with the disorder. Sleep is essential for our physical, emotional, and cognitive health. We all know how important sleep is. Without it, we feel slow, sluggish, and unproductive. On the contrary, a restful night of sleep leaves us feeling refreshed and energised. Research indicates that sleep problems may precede the development of PTSD or arise as a consequence of the disorder itself [1]. Among those who experience a traumatic event, individuals with significant sleep problems are more likely to develop PTSD in the future. Sleep disturbances in PTSD interfere with the brain’s ability to process memories and emotions, thereby impeding the recovery process after a traumatic event. Recognising the significance of sleep in PTSD recovery, it is crucial to implement strategies that promote better sleep hygiene and address sleep-related difficulties. Occupationa...
Post a Comment
Read more