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Cultivating Calm: The Therapeutic Benefits of Gardening and Nature


Gardening has become such a vital part of my healing journey, and it all started during the COVID lockdown. With not being able to go out and socialize, I found myself growing vegetables and fruits in my garden and greenhouse, a way to feel connected to nature and find some peace amidst all the uncertainty.

When I moved to Brighton and was diagnosed, the journey took another turn. Through the Macmillan Horizon Centre, I found the Macmillan Community allotment, and it quickly became my Wednesday morning refuge. My chemo treatments were scheduled every other Wednesday, but once I joined the volunteer team at the Community allotment, those Wednesdays were no longer about treatment, they were about the gardening. It became my therapy, my community, and my lifeline during treatment.

Growing and sharing organic produce from the allotment with fellow patients became an act of kindness that brought me immense joy and purpose. It was such a beautiful way to connect with others who were on their own healing journeys, and it gave me a sense of pride in what I could contribute to their days.

Through the allotment, I also made new friends in my new city and created a support network that has meant the world to me. After enduring long winter months and now being on endocrine and targeted therapies for almost a year, I can’t tell you how much it means to be back at the allotment. There’s something so comforting about getting my hands back in the soil and reconnecting with the earth.

Gardening isn’t just a hobby; it’s a form of therapy, a way to recharge my mind, body, and soul. It’s not just about planting flowers or growing vegetables... for me, it’s about cultivating peace and clarity. Every time I tend to my plants, I feel my worries slip away, replaced by a deep sense of calm. Whether it's the rhythm of digging, the satisfaction of seeing seeds sprout, or the joy of watching a plant bloom, being surrounded by life in all its forms is healing. It reminds me to slow down, be present, and appreciate the small moments.

The Macmillan Community allotment has been my sanctuary in Brighton. Surrounded by greenery and the gentle sounds of nature, it’s a constant reminder that healing isn’t just physical, it’s mental too. Research shows that being in nature lowers blood pressure, reduces stress, and even boosts immune function. I can feel that in every visit. The steady growth of plants and the changing seasons remind me that healing takes time, and that’s okay.

For me, gardening is a personal journey of recovery. It's not just about growing vegetables; it’s about nurturing my own growth, emotionally and physically. Every seed I plant is a symbol of resilience, not just in nature, but in me too. Just as plants go through cycles of growth and change, so do I. The process of tending to them has become a form of self-care, a reminder to love and nurture myself.

As I spend more time at the allotment, gardening offers me a peace I didn’t expect. It’s my favorite way to reconnect with the world and myself, finding balance in the beauty and stillness of nature. The smell of earth after a rainstorm, the sight of a plant thriving under my care… there’s nothing quite like it.

If you’ve never thought of gardening as a form of therapy, I truly recommend giving it a try. Whether it’s a small pot on your windowsill or a full garden, nature has a way of healing that’s truly special. For me, returning to my Macmillan allotment reminds me that the earth is always there, waiting to heal and restore us in the gentlest ways.


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