Before the pandemic, having a garden was associated with better health and wellbeing, and this pattern has continued during COVID-19. With that in mind, here are five ways of using your garden that research suggests can improve your mental health. If you have access to an outdoor space and have been finding things difficult, you could try these out to boost your mood.
Applications to the new NGS Elsie Wagg (Innovation) Scholarship are now open, for projects that will begin early in 2022.
The scholarship will be awarded to the five nurses – in any community specialism – submitting the best applications for projects that promote the health benefits of gardening and garden visiting among a group of people.
One year on from the release of the National Garden Scheme’s Gardens and Coronavirus 2020 report, new research from The University of Surrey & Natural England builds on the growing evidence of the benefits of gardens during lockdown. Here, Dr Emma White, who led the report, explains what they found and looks at the similarities to the National Garden Scheme’s Findings.
The National Garden Scheme marked its annual Gardens & Health Week in May with the launch of comprehensive proof that gardens are good for you. Our interactive, digital booklet entitled The Little Yellow Book of Gardens and Health is packed with stories and case studies from garden owners, garden visitors and beneficiaries who have found solace and improved health and wellbeing by immersing themselves in nature.
At our annual lecture prominent psychiatrist and psychotherapist, Sue Stuart-Smith (pictured) reflected on the global pandemic and shared how gardening became fundamentally a hopeful act for millions in lockdown. But the power of gardens and gardening to do good is nothing new says Sue…
The National Garden Scheme, in collaboration with Hospice UK and ReScape, is trialling an exciting new garden reality with technology that can significantly reduce anxiety and pain in patients.
Our report illustrates the vital role that gardens and outdoor spaces played – and continue to play – in the physical and mental health and wellbeing of the nation during lockdown. The report confirms that the power of gardens to do good has never been more important.
Diagnosed with breast cancer at 31, Lara now attributes her deep affection for nature and gardening to the treatments she underwent
Top tips from Occupational Therapist Lisa Shyamalan on getting the most out of gardening for those with limited mobility
QNI nurse Vanessa Hurley shares her story about how gardening has been vital to her work and play
Our special garden meditation helps you find peace, calm and a sense of wellbeing whether in your garden or home
Katherine Burnett, a Ward Sister at the Marie Curie Edinburgh Hospice, tells us what her garden means to her and her health and wellbeing
Award-winning landscape designer Dan Pearson leads us through the gardens he has designed for Maggie’s, creating places for recuperation and support
As gardeners we can play our part in helping reverse the effects of climate change and the global decline in biodiversity
Spinal injury patient Curtis shares his story about the healing power of the garden at Horatio’s Garden, London and South East
Garden owner Herry believes in the benefits of gardening for everyone, whether they have cancer or not. This is his story
For over 40 years a village in Buckinghamshire has been opening its gardens for the National Garden Scheme, not only raising funds for our beneficiaries but providing wonderful health benefits for all involved
Inspired by her daughter’s writing and images of the places she had visited, Amanda Goode has created a garden as a testament to her daughter’s life
Garden owner and National Garden Scheme volunteer Alison Jordan has created a garden in Staffordshire that helps her live more peacefully with Parkinson’s
Alan Clement has survived family tragedy and life-threatening spinal injuries but it his Derbyshire garden that brings him – and his many visitors – a sense of restfulness and wellbeing
A two acre site in Surrey is providing a lifeline to hundreds of people, young and old, through the provision of social and therapeutic horticulture
Mercy Morris invites us to share her love of houseplants, looking at the role they can play to our health and wellbeing and which are easiest to keep
Two generations of GPs find solace in sharing their beautiful Gloucestershire garden, explore it now and discover the tranquility that being in a garden can bring.
Daily fresh air is invaluable right now. The benefits of trees and woods on our mental and physical health are seemingly limitless – time spent in woodland is never wasted – and could even give you more than just a spring in your step
As part of our Gardens & Health programme we offer free garden visits for the service users linked to our beneficiary charities. Offering a few hours respite in a beautiful garden with a cup of tea, a piece of cake and good company really can help lift the spirits
For Christine Lane, who lives with Parkinson’s, opening her garden for the National Garden Scheme is helping her focus on what she can do, rather than the things she can’t. The result is a beautiful sanctuary that makes Christine – and the people who visit – feel better
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