why doctors prescribe gardening instead of medication

Spending time outdoors, taking a moment out of your daily routine to surround yourself with greenery and living things, can be one of life’s greatest joys – and the latest research suggests it’s also good for your body and brain.

Researchers have found that spending two hours a week in nature is associated with better health and well-being. So it’s perhaps not surprising that some patients are increasingly being prescribed time in nature and community gardening projects as part of their “green recipes” By NHS (National Health Service)In Shetland, for example, islanders with depression and anxiety can be given “nature prescriptions”, where doctors recommend walks and activities that bring people back into contact with nature.

Social prescribing – non-medical treatments that have health benefits – is already used across the NHS to tackle anxiety, loneliness and depression. It often involves referring patients to a community or voluntary organisation where they can do activities that support with their social and emotional needs, and doctors are increasingly using community gardening – because it also has the added benefit of spending time in nature – even in densely built-up areas.

And the evidence base for the effectiveness of such treatments is growing – studies indicate that prescribing social remedies can support improve the patient’s anxiety level and general health. The results also seem to suggest that social prescribing patterns may lead to reducing the use of NHS services.

Benefits of gardening

Tests shows that gardening can directly improve people’s well-being. And taking part in community gardening can also encourage people to adopt healthier behaviours. For example, neighbourhood projects can be reached by foot or bike – encouraging people to utilize more lively modes of transport in their daily lives. Eating produce from a community garden can also support people develop the habit of eating fresh, locally grown food.

Growing food is often the driving force behind community gardening projects, whether they are for the gardeners’ own consumption alone or for local distribution or sale. Unlike growing in individual plots or private gardens, community gardening requires an element of collaboration and collective planning. Working together towards common goals can create a real sense of community. And in a garden, a sense of connection can develop, not just with other people, but with the living world as a whole.

The gardens also play a significant role in protecting biodiversity by creating wildlife enclaves and corridors in cities – an idea promoted by the RSPB Giving nature a home program. Including even a miniature pond in your garden can provide a home for critical species such as amphibians. Gardens can also support to alleviate climate change. Their vegetation sequesters carbon and can improve air quality. Tree and shrub roots in the soil absorb water, reducing the risk of flooding.

Because people’s relationships with the living world influence their behaviors toward it, participating in community gardening can also make people, both teenage and elderly, more environmentally aware and responsible. By connecting people with nature, community gardens can also support transform society – enabling cities and municipalities to move towards a more sustainable future.

Social connections

The process of using plants and gardens to improve health is known as social-therapeutic gardeningIn addition to promoting physical and mental health benefits, social and therapeutic gardening also shown to support people improve their communication and thinking skills.

At the University of Hull Center for Systems Studies we want to better understand how community gardening can improve the well-being of people, communities and the living world. That’s why we work with Rainbow Community Garden in Hull, which also has links with local schools, social services, mental health teams and the Veterans Association, to observe activities and interactions throughout the year. We also interview staff and volunteers about their experiences, looking at how people feel about themselves as they take part in the project.

While no one intervention is right for everyone, community gardens have a wide reach and potential. However, such projects are usually run by charities – often relying on grants to hire staff and provide equipment. And at a time when funding gaps mean that local councils have problems When it comes to protecting public parks and gardens, it seems that despite all the positive aspects that such spaces can bring, the future of many community gardening groups may be uncertain.

This would clearly be a great loss, since the well-being of the individual, the well-being of society, and the living world are inextricably linked. John Donne was right when he said:no man is an islandCommunity gardens can bring together diverse groups of people and it is possible to make these spaces broadly inclusive and accessible. Raised beds and paved paths, for example, can improve access for wheelchair users, while sophisticated sensory experiences can be created through the utilize of smells and sounds as well as visual stimuli. We hope that our research will support to highlight the importance of these spaces and the many benefits they can bring to people, society and the living world.