My name is Jane and I am a gardening addict. I spend far too much time and money on my garden, but it is my only vice so I figure it is ok. Gardening brings me so much joy and peace, it is truly a tonic in this crazy world. There is something about watching things return to life every spring that is very uplifting. And watching nature arrive and thrive in your garden is thrilling. If you don’t already garden, and you have the space, I really recommend it for body and mind. If you don’t have the space, there are gardens that would be glad of volunteers, or that run gardening for mental health initiatives. Maybe give it a go?
If you want to start gardening, or even if you are a seasoned gardener, here is a reminder not to be like me, the osteopath, who for the last week has had a very sore lower back. Despite knowing better, and in my yearly bid to have a perfect garden in time for Chelsea Flower Show (a strange and arbitrary date), I have been doing all the wrong things, resulting in one daring sneeze seizing up my back. I have not been stretching before I start, or after I finish, I am constantly ignoring my other half’s advice of “little and often”, and I rarely wait for his help if something is too heavy for me. So, be sensible and try to pace yourself in the garden; do a little and do it often. To prevent injury, think about what you are lifting, plan how you are going to do so safely and ask for help if you need it, remembering to communicate the plan before you lift. Lastly, we put a lot of pressure on our entire spine by bending forwards and looking down for hours on end, as well as lifting heavy pots and bags of soil, so we need to reward our bodies with a nice stretch after a gardening session, preferably before too. Here is a link to a good routine on youtube if you need some help with that. Happy gardening!