Banish those unwanted feelings by heading outside!
The third Monday of January has developed a reputation as one of the most depressing days of the year – even donning the label of ‘Blue Monday’.
Days are still cold, dark, and typically quite wet, yet we do not have the twinkling lights of Christmas to perk us up – leaving many feeling down.
However, we firmly believe one of the best ways to tackle these feelings and boost our collective mood is to pull on the gardening gloves and get outside.
Gardening provides us with so much joy, from rewarding outcomes and a sense of accomplishment, to hours upon hours surrounded by the beauty of nature – what’s not to love?
The sun does absolute wonders for our mood, even if we only allow ourselves a short period of time to bask in it – and at this time of year, you can be excused for preferring a comfortable spot in front of the fire!
But, just spending an hour or two in the garden each day boosts your vitamin D levels, which according to many studies can have an incredibly positive impact on mood.
While you are spending time in your garden, you may as well tick off a few tasks…
Plant some bare root roses or shrubs, prune back existing fruit trees, tidy up decaying plants, crack any ice freezing across birdbaths… you are certain to find something to occupy your time in the garden at this time of the year.
What’s more, each of these tasks are physical activities, helping you to clock up exercise hours and smash that New Year’s Resolution surrounding fitness. Exercising is another well-documented solution for lifting our mood.
Putting in these hours now, despite the winter weather, will help your garden to look even more remarkable when the garden-entertaining spring and summer months roll around.
Allow yourself plenty of time, with a cup of tea in hand, to browse your garden’s plants and feel a warm sense of accomplishment overwhelm you.
Taking care of plants and watching them thrive is a delightful feeling that is tricky to explain before you experience it for the first time – why not give it a go?
However, your garden is not just about endless jobs and chores – it is a space for you to sit and unwind, as you feel a close connection with nature.
NHS England recommend spending more time surrounded by nature, thanks to the incredible impact it can have on improving mental health and reducing the feeling of loneliness, promoting a peaceful sense of well-being.
Remember – gardening can be a very sociable activity if you want it to be.
Community gardens are popping up in your local neighbourhood every year, unlocking a whole host of people to talk to – us gardeners adore talking all things green after all!
Even if you are sticking to your own garden, you can always strike up a conversation with your green-fingered neighbours just a fence panel away.
So, if you’re feeling down this Blue Monday, why not put on your gardening gloves and head outside? You might be surprised at how much better you feel for it!
