At Manchester Mind we know the importance of creating groups for people struggling with their mental health; groups where people can share their concerns and feelings and be supported. However an allotment space can provide a whole extra dimension – working on wellbeing in a completely holistic way. I hope this article inspires you to reflect on all the ways that working on your allotment aids your wellbeing and what a force for good these spaces can be in our communities.
People often arrive at our therapeutic sessions with anxiety or an issue playing on their mind. We notice that by the end of a session they often walk away with a more relaxed and open body language and a lighter mood. The garden space does a lot of the work for us. Studies show that the gently stimulating sights and sounds of nature can our lower stress levels and produce a relaxed but wakeful state in the brain. Sun exposure from being outside increases vitamin D levels and helps to regulate sleep cycles. Being in this beautiful natural space can bring a sense of ease and safety before we even start an activity.
As soon as we start working with soil we get even more benefits. A specific bacteria in the soil called Mycobacterium vaccae triggers the release of serotonin and dopamine in the body. And gardening work creates many more opportunities to feel good. We are moving our bodies, practicing fine motor skills and achieving things individually or in a group. The very act of clearing a weedy bed or cutting back dead stems or sowing seeds can be physical acts that mirror healing processes in our lives. As we know, there is always something more to learn when we are gardening. Learning new skills and gathering new knowledge brings a feeling of accomplishment and keep us stimulated.
Our seating area (covered of course because this is Manchester) is really important because being at the allotment isn’t just about growing and getting things done. It is so important to take time to sit and just be in the space which is something us gardeners can easily forget especially in the busy summer months. We can take time to chat with others, reflect on what we have done that day or on how we are feeling. We can even get creative and do some crafting inspired by nature. When we start to slow down and be comfortable just ‘being’ then we can really start to notice the wildlife and the shapes and colours of the plants all around us. This connection to nature can help us feel less isolated and part of something much larger than ourselves. This connection might have been present in happier times (in childhood or back in a home country) and a garden can create a space where these happy memories can be explored and something of them recaptured.
As we harvest seeds or walk off the plot with a bunch of flowers or a bag of potatoes we can start to feel a sense of abundance that can feel very distant in difficult economic times. Fresh fruit and veggies prompt us to cook healthier meals and freshly cut flowers can bring beauty into our home space. A glut of courgettes or a pot of cuttings can give us an opportunity to share with others.
And that is what we have experienced time and time again, that the benefits of the allotment space branch out into the wider community. The skills and confidence learnt in our garden can lead people to take on their own allotments, join community gardens or improve growing spaces in or near their homes. Allotments aren’t just about individual wellbeing – they are about the wellbeing of a community.