Winter's woes and depression

Winter can be a particularly difficult time for those of us who have the daily addition of depression to deal with. For some reason both the winter and summer solstices seem to create a wee bit of havoc with ones equilibrium. Depression is hard to explain or even define, but this current trend towards referring to it simply as 'low mood' is a best quite insulting. Depression can leave you with feelings of 'low mood' but that is by no means the end of it and it also ignores many other of the most devastating symptoms. Not only that but some of the most cheerful and outwardly happy people can suffer from it.

Gardening is becoming more and more recognised as not so much a cure but certainly an effective treatment for depression. So why is that? Well I can't give you a definitive answer, only a lived experience, but it seems to me that gardening delivers a number of benefits:

1. Its an exercise in mindfulness - When you are weeding or planting or even just raking leaves you can be 100% focused on the task in hand. Its a way of quieting the mind.

2. You are outdoors - or in a greenhouse, at the very least you are away from lights and artificial stimulants. You become part of nature with your hands in the soil and your face in the sun. Even on days when fatigue is preventing much action, sitting in the garden enables you be immersed gently in the nourishing, natural world.

3. You can garden alone with no distractions, especially if you are having dizzy days or days when conversation is difficult or you can garden with others and share laughs and time and reconnect with people.

4. Gardening is creative. One of the most satisfying activities is to put a tiny seed in a tray and watch it germinate, grow on and eventually flower or fruit. Also designing your planting schemes and looking at colours, leaf-shapes and scents is all part of the creative process.

5. It helps you to get in touch with the natural rhythm of the planet, the seasons and the cycle of life.

So how do we cope with the short, cold winter days when the garden has gone dormant? Here are my coping strategies:

1. Get outside into the garden every day, regardless of the weather and spend 5 minutes walking around it or just looking. This takes you out into natural light and fresh air. If its reasonably mild, you can still be pulling out the odd weed, or raking leaves, otherwise just observe. Chances are if you have late winter/early spring bulbs, they will already be beginning to push their noses through the soil - take this a sign of hope, they know the days will soon lengthen and spring really is just a couple of months away.

2. Drink hot chocolate!

3. Re-watch all of the gardening programmes that I've recorded all year. I know many people with depression will identify with this. Re watching a programme or film that you are familiar with is very comforting and safe feeling. So make it a gardening programme!

4. Browse seed catalogues and plan your planting for next year. It takes you out of the 'here and now' and gets your mind into planning the future. Some seeds can be started at any time of year, under the right conditions so you can still have some plant time.

5. Feed the birds, they empty feeders pretty quickly so refilling them establishes a good routine and the garden benefits from the birds too.

Did I mention hot chocolate? Looking after yourself is vital and self care of the utmost importance. When you feel yourself slipping just go outside. Make yourself go outside. I do this crazy thing of repeating a mantra to regain control of my mind, and it can be as simple as 'I'm looking forward to seeing the daffodils in bloom'... Give it a try and see what what works for you.