The healing power of gardening
Berkshire Life|September 2020
Rosalind Sack discovers the therapeutic benefits of gardening and meets two horticultural organisations making a major difference to people’s lives across Berkshire
Rosalind Sack
The healing power of gardening

Life under lockdown has turned us into a nation of gardeners with huge numbers finding solace in growing. Whether ours is a bountiful plot or simply a sunny windowsill, the pure act of digging, growing, nurturing and harvesting has been found to be incredibly beneficial, particularly during such an unsettling period.

When you consider that gardening has been proven to have huge benefits to our physical and mental health it’s little wonder that we’re turning to so called ‘green therapy’ in our droves.

Samantha Luff from Cookham was diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder at the beginning of the year and has since found that gardening has had a positive impact on her health. What was an area of patio and lawn with a small shed has been transformed by Sam to include a pond, bug hotel, nature area, flower beds, a fruit and vegetable growing trough, as well as a mud kitchen and play area for her two children.

“The garden will always give me what I need. I can be busy doing lots of jobs around the garden or I can sit and enjoy the stillness that the outdoors allows. There are no expectations to be anyone, to do anything, it will simply allow me to be. It brings me much-needed perspective, a sense of achievement and it helps to improve my self-esteem and sense of purpose. I think the overriding feeling it brings is simply joy,” says Sam.

“Throughout lockdown the garden has felt like an anchor. The garden rewards me for the work I put in and gives me an opportunity to learn and develop. Being in my own head can be an incredibly noisy place to be and the garden helps to quieten the noise. Gardening has taught me to slow down and to appreciate that sometimes the most beautiful things take time to flourish.”

This story is from the September 2020 edition of Berkshire Life.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the September 2020 edition of Berkshire Life.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM BERKSHIRE LIFEView All
A Home For Keeps - Reader At Home
Berkshire Life

A Home For Keeps - Reader At Home

Alex and James Fielden were looking for a forever home. Their search ended as soon as they pulled up outside this Georgian property in Berkshire

time-read
5 mins  |
November 2020
Duke & Duchess Of Berkshire?
Berkshire Life

Duke & Duchess Of Berkshire?

They are the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge but should they really be the Duke and Duchess of Berkshire, which is, of course, a Royal county?

time-read
4 mins  |
November 2020
A national hero
Berkshire Life

A national hero

He started out like many other children born in Reading, but mention Justin Fletcher to any kid in the land these days and their eyes will light up

time-read
4 mins  |
November 2020
Fruitful thinking
Berkshire Life

Fruitful thinking

Ryan Simpson believes the world is our orchard. A project that began over a pint in his local is making the county more fruity

time-read
4 mins  |
November 2020
THE BERKSHIRE BOMBSHELL
Berkshire Life

THE BERKSHIRE BOMBSHELL

Berkshire has had more than its fair share of famous inhabitants. However, few had such an explosive reputation as Diana Dors

time-read
4 mins  |
November 2020
“I'll always be a Berkshire girl”
Berkshire Life

“I'll always be a Berkshire girl”

Despite her international acclaim as the star of TV’s Tracy Beaker, Dani Harmer has never strayed far from her roots

time-read
4 mins  |
November 2020
Remembering the fallen
Berkshire Life

Remembering the fallen

The most destructive war in human history lasted for six years and cost 60 million lives, the majority non-combatants. It is easy to understand why those who had survived wanted to celebrate the end of that conflict

time-read
5 mins  |
November 2020
HIDDEN WONDERS
Berkshire Life

HIDDEN WONDERS

Berkshire photographer Matt Emmett has made it his mission to explore the forgotten architecture and heritage many people miss in their home towns

time-read
5 mins  |
November 2020
EXPLORING BERKSHIRE - Majestic Maidenhead
Berkshire Life

EXPLORING BERKSHIRE - Majestic Maidenhead

Rejuvenation and revival; two buzz words surrounding the biggest town in the Royal borough. With riverside views and a vibrant arts and dining out scene, this high-class town is well worth a look

time-read
7 mins  |
November 2020
A good grounding
Berkshire Life

A good grounding

Berkshire has some of the best homes in the land, so perhaps it is no coincidence that the nation’s favourite property guru went to school in Wokingham

time-read
4 mins  |
November 2020