Therapy

**Dorothy rouse** · 16-06-2014, 07:21 PM

Definitely, haven't suffered health problems like yourself, but when I first got allotment, we were having major probs at work, redundancy etc, and it helped to be able to escape up there and 'dig'. I am now retired, but still love the solitude and the time to 'think', def helps stress.

**Greenleaves** · 16-06-2014, 07:33 PM

Hi Bex
I suffered a heart attack at 49 and had to reconfigure my life. My garden and now my allotment gave me the exercise I needed and my family the moral support.

My heart attack was caused by high blood pressure and high cholesterol which I ignored. I have check ups regularly and my cholesterol is normal and my blood pressure that of a 45 year old and I am 60 now.

My consultant says that gardening is one of the best forms of exercise there is as long as you dont go silly. Like you and Dotty I find it hugely therapeutic.

**WPG** · 16-06-2014, 07:41 PM

Absolutely Bex, wish I'd got an allotment years ago, it's such a tonic after a stressful day.

Another health benefit I've found is that it helps with my insomnia - if I'm lying in bed and my mind is racing from all the worries of the day, I find that taking an imaginary walk through the allotment helps to calm me down and drift off.

Glad to hear your health problems are improving Bex

**Jeanied** · 16-06-2014, 07:41 PM

My magic combination has been to have a dog that needs lots of exercise and also loves to go to the park or to the lottie - she is equally happy whichever. On the lottie there is a 'no dogs' rule, however nobody seems to observe it - so I tether her by my shed and she pootles around and digs holes and gets her ball and hides it. And I work away and occasionally throw the ball for her to catch.
My doc is really pleased with my progress and things are gradually improving

And my veg are also doing pretty well.

**Mumbles** · 16-06-2014, 07:47 PM

Gardening has helped me get off anti-depressants too. If it feels like it's all getting on top of me I'm out in the garden (or Lottie if it's feasible) with some hand tools pottering around, always makes a difference

**Bex** · 16-06-2014, 08:52 PM

Long may the therapy continue.

I'm glad to hear that we are all getting healthier both in body and mind x

**AllInContainers** · 16-06-2014, 08:59 PM

Yes .... although now my garden is set to be very low maintenance compared to most on here (despite the volume of plants) I'm adding walking into the mix. Nothing elaborate or exotic, just when the mood hits go for a wander and get a few miles in. Sometimes it might be heading off to a supermarket for a few essentials that's a couple of miles away, maybe a 5 or 6 mile circuit past a couple of pubs, or maybe just nowhere in particular. Personally I find walking even more therapeutic than gardening (less frustrating at times

) although the garden does give me somewhere relaxing to chill out with a book when walking is not the order of the day

**ancee** · 17-06-2014, 07:15 AM

I think it definitely works as therapy. It's about time some scientific research was done about it! Sometimes I'm so lost in my potterings that when I look up at the clock I can't believe what the time is! It feels like only minutes when hours have passed! The kids are coming in from school and I think 'Another fast day'!!!

**Mumbles** · 17-06-2014, 08:19 AM

I read somewhere they are doing some research on it

**Yasai** · 17-06-2014, 10:03 AM

Gardening and walking are my two favourite forms of meditation. No one was more surprised than me when I suddenly found myself addicted to gardening last year. I still scream when I see any creepy crawlies in the house but, strangely, in the garden they don't bother me at all. I often think that if prisoners were able to do a spot of gardening, the rate of recidivism would go down and if they grew enough to eat well from it it would benefit their minds as well as their bodies.

**horticultural_hobbit** · 20-06-2014, 02:37 PM

YES! Yesterday, I spent ages marking. Eight o'clock, I had to have a pit stop or go mad. So I pootled off to the plot. My eyes didn't droop, my shoulders stopped slouching. I felt instantly recharged. I didn't do anything, I just walked up and down, looked at my roses. But yes, it is therapeutic, and there is research being done to what effect. Should I continue with and complete my counselling training, I would most certainly use a plot type environment for such therapies

**hellybore** · 20-06-2014, 10:06 PM

Yes, my pottering keeps me (relatively) sane. I've goggled horticultural therapy and some really interesting stuff comes up. I'm no good at links but have a goggle!

**lyndapet** · 20-06-2014, 10:18 PM

as an occupational therapist for 30 years in a mental health day unit i found gardening on of the most effective tharapies .

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**Chris172** · 21-06-2014, 07:00 AM

Hi yes I can totally agree its a salvation

After years of running around with my sons football teams and still working full time there is no better time than relaxing in the surroundings of my allotment

Just feels like I am in another world where you can totally chil out and of course I have met so many new friends and learned a new trade gardening

And nearly forgot there is always a few weeds to vent out on

Happy gardening

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