Green Prescribing for Wellbeing

How often do we hear that being in green spaces and in nature is good for our wellbeing?For a long time I shyed away from this, preferring to be indoors with my books. However, after a significant anxiety relapse in 2017 and being signed off work for five months, my mum, who is a keen gardener, suggested I spend time planting seedlings. This small act of starting the growth of a small plant or vegetable began to bring me a sense of joy which I had long been lacking. I found myself looking forwarf to checking on my seddlings to see how they were getting on. I confess I am not the most expert of gardeners, but it's not about that, it is about the procedss of being outdoors, being with nature and growing something through care and attention.

This year I am growing cucumbers, courgettes, cornichons and pumpkins. The arrival of spirng, the lighter days and the growth of new plants can all contribute to a lowering of anxiety and improvement in our mood. What are you looking forward to growing this year?

Summer 2023, after growing two pumpkins and feeling hugely proud of myself!

Green Prescribing Resources

NHS England - https://www.england.nhs.uk/personalisedcare/social-prescribing/green-social-prescribing/

The National Academy for Social Prescribing - https://socialprescribingacademy.org.uk/what-is-social-prescribing/natural-environment-and-social-prescribing/green-toolkit/

RHS - https://www.rhs.org.uk/get-involved/community-gardening

Find out more about the #somewhatanxious programme and my work around anxiety awareness and accessibility by following our social media channels:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/somewhat_anxious_/

Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@somewhatanxious