World Mental Health Day 10th October

Organised by the Mental Health Foundation, World Mental Health Day is an annual global celebration of mental health education, awareness and advocacy. The organisation aims to change our understanding of mental health problems and improve the future outlook for the nation’s mental well-being. It is a subject that we at The Garden Escape take great interest in, regularly promoting the benefits of being outside and exposed to natural light.

Sunlight confers a rich array of natural health benefits, stimulating the production of a number of hormones essential for a healthy body and mind. It isn’t just plants that metabolize sunlight: we do too, via a complex bio-chemical process that converts sunlight into Vitamin D. More akin to a hormone than most other vitamins, Vitamin D is known to be good for our circulatory and nervous systems; is a potent anti-oxidant and is essential for healthy bone development in the young.

Exposure to natural sunlight also keeps our pineal gland ticking along nicely and synchronizing our biological clock. Melatonin production is essential for the regulation of our circadian rhythms and a good night’s sleep and has a powerful impact on our immune system. It is also a highly effective free radical scavenger and plays a crucial role in the maintenance of our metabolism and weight.

However, perhaps the most direct effect that sunlight has upon our mental health, is via its stimulation of the brain to produce the mood enhancing chemical, serotonin. Serotonin aids our bodies’ management of appetite and sleep and also acts as an effective natural anti-depressant. It lifts our mood; inhibits our urges to over-eat and helps us sleep well. In short, it makes us feel good.

As autumn asserts itself, daylight hours are dwindling rapidly, the weather is on the turn and we are fast approaching the clocks’ turning back. It will feel as if nature is conspiring against us in our quest to soak up some sunlight and so we must become a little more resourceful in our pursuit. A beautiful Garden Escape, nestled in a tranquil spot, is a great way to enjoy being outside, bathed in natural light, yet protected from the elements. Cosy up inside and watch the multihued leaves as the wind plucks them from the trees, or curl up with a good book, effortlessly basking in the sunlight flooding through the floor to ceiling windows and working its magic.