National Growing for Wellbeing Week 2021
What is National Growing for Wellbeing week?
An initiative by gardening therapy organisation Life at No.27, this week celebrates the act of growing your own produce, and the beneficial effects this can have on your mental health and overall wellbeing.
Something we can all use as we are emerging from the COVID-19 pandemic!
When is National Growing for Wellbeing week?
National Growing for Wellbeing falls on the 7th to 13th June 2021.
There is compelling research into how the health benefits of working in your garden (or someone else’s!) can help with enhanced:
- Concentration
- Self-belief
- Communication
- Resilience
- Confidence
Specifically GYO (grow your own) is reported to be the most beneficial form of gardening, encompassing an overall worthwhile sense of achievement and wellbeing.
Let’s talk about Wellbeing
Wellbeing is a state of mind when an individual feels they are comfortable and happy with their surroundings. A great sense of wellbeing comes from taking a rest from daily activities, and getting out and about in nature for some huge benefits.
There is some evidence to suggest that colourful flowers can help boost your mood and happiness, for many reasons:
- Growth
Flowers in bloom symbolise life and growth, and looking at blooming flowers is said to promote feelings of new life and rejuvenation. Pink roses in particular represent the joy of life. Sounds good, doesn’t it?
- Memory
Flowers can evoke happy memories from your past, and assist with elevating ourselves out of a particular mood.
- Anxiety
Flowers which have strong scents are said to relieve anxiety and stress levels, which works in the same way as aromatherapy. Lavender is a proven scent for relaxation.
Mental health
Around one in four people in the UK will suffer from mental health afflictions in their lifetime.
If growing your own produce can help people combat the symptoms of poor mental health, then exploring the idea of gardening is very worthwhile indeed.
And of course it is not just about mental health. The act of growing your own produce and gardening in general is a physical activity – combine this with experiencing this activity with friends and loved ones, and you have a wonderful opportunity to enhance your quality of life.
How can I get involved with National Growing for Wellbeing week?
To get involved with this celebratory week, you can begin by sharing gardening photos, stories and thoughts throughout the week across social media.
Simply tag @GYOWellbeingWk on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, using the hashtag #GYOforWellbeing.
You can also sign up for email alerts, showcasing all the latest news.
For more information on National Growing for Wellbeing week, head to: