The Benefits of Green Space for Mental Health

26th September 2017

We all have times when we feel down or stressed, and most of the time those feelings pass, but sometimes they develop into a more serious problem. Our mental health is just as important as our physical wellbeing. So, just as we’d nurture our body by being active and eating healthy, why not treat our mind with experiences that bring positivity?

We’ve known for some time that nature and green spaces can effect how people feel. It reduces stress and sadness, lifts mood, and generally makes us feel happier.

Spending time in nature has been shown to produce levels and patterns of chemicals in the brain associated with low stress, as well as having positive effects on blood pressure. So, promoting wellbeing in our green spaces can most definitely help, providing us with many calming benefits. But how can we transform our gardens into spaces that help relax our busy minds and encourage positive thinking?

These four pointers may help…

Create space to sit

In the modern world, we don’t give ourselves enough time to truly relax. Our lives are focused around the busyness of our screens and schedules; with work related stress being a trigger for many people’s poor mental health. Finding a place to sit within your garden or outside space is so important! It allows you to completely enjoy the beauty and serenity of nature, permitting you to slow down and unwind; thus healing your mind. Creating a garden that you can sit in allows you to appreciate the plants and wildlife so much more. This will encourage your brain to produce the important levels and patterns of chemicals that we know to be associated with low stress.

Grow flowers that attract bees and butterflies

Incorporate planting within your green space that welcomes wildlife such as bees and butterflies. A green space buzzing with pollinating activity will help to give you a purpose within your garden, making you feel a little less lonely. Try our Pollinator BeeBom, or ButterflyBom to attract these vibrant little friends to your serene garden.

Nurture something that you can put on your kitchen table

Many people who struggle with mental heath feel like they don’t do anything worthwhile. Looking after your own green space can give you a sense of worth and value, and there’s nothing more exciting than nurturing produce in your own garden. Whether it’s simply a few herbs or vegetables, sharing something at the dinner table that you’ve grown can feel extremely rewarding.

Start from seed

Having something to look forward to is exactly what gardening is all about! In today’s technology-driven world, everything is so immediate, leaving so little for the future. Many people feel that they have nothing to look forward to, but this can never be the case when it comes to gardening.

Growing from seed gives so much excitement and anticipation; watching the seedlings germinate, and then grow into something spectacular. If you’re living in an urban, built up environment, and would like to expose yourself to more green space, experiencing the wonders of nature, then why not try our Urban Bloomer Seedbom? Our Urban Bloomer contains an easy to establish mix of wildflowers that are perfect for bringing life to built up areas and attracting pollinating insects.

This is the reason why Seedboms exist in the first place! To reconnect people to nature in city, even if it’s in the smallest of ways.

Urban Bloomer contains:

Poppy,  Corn Marigold, Cornflower, Forget-Me-Not, Oxeye Daisy & Red Campion.

Don’t have a garden?

Try growing in pots or containers on windowsills or balconies, this is a great way to plant in the smallest of spaces while still reaping the benefits.

Take a walk in the woods. Make a bee line to your nearest forest, nature reserve or park and simply take a walk. Just being surrounded by nature can be enough to trigger that primal need and allow you to feel the benefits even if it’s on a purely subconscious level.

How do Seedboms work?

Simple! Pull the pin and throw or drop the Seedboms into areas with bare soil, natural light, and that can be kept damp whilst growing. Seedboms will biodegrade into the environment, leaving only the plants behind. (Full instructions are included on the inside of each Seedbom sleeve).

Let us know how green spaces and gardening has helped you, and don’t forget to share photos of your beautiful blooms with us on Instagram and Twitter using the hashtags #Seedbom and #Photobom.

You can find out more about the benefits of green spaces for mental health at publichealthmatters.blog.gov.uk

BRING NATURE HOME!