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The Well Gardened Mind

Rediscovering Nature in the Modern World

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About this listen

 ‘The wisest book I’ve read for many years … Much more than a gardening book, much more than a guide to mental health … Hugely recommended’ Stephen Fry

THE SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER

A Times and Sunday Times Best Book of 2020

How can gardening relieve stress and help us look after our mental health? What lies behind the restorative power of the natural world?

In a powerful combination of contemporary neuroscience, psychoanalysis and brilliant storytelling, The Well Gardened Mind investigates the magic that many gardeners have known for years – working with nature can radically transform our health, wellbeing and confidence.

With illuminating stories of how people struggling with stress, depression, trauma and addiction can change their lives, this inspiring and wise book of science, insight and anecdote – now translated into fifteen languages – shows how our understanding of nature and its restorative powers is only just beginning to flower.

 Gardening & Horticulture Mental Health Personal Development Personal Success Psychology Psychology & Mental Health Spirituality Gardening Health Meditation

Critic reviews

THE SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER

‘Must be the most original gardening book ever’
SUNDAY TIMES

‘Fascinating … Extends the awareness – backed up by compendious and elegant research – of how mentally enriching it is to swap screen for green … [She] renders a very special service with this book’
OBSERVER

‘Stuart-Smith’s beautifully written book is filled with insights into the joys but also the therapeutic benefits that tending plants can offer …This is a life-affirming study of the pleasures of growing things’
GUARDIAN

‘Combines observation, horticulture, literature and history … it is a book that builds, chapter by chapter … As a reference and an inspiration … There is much here to feed the soul’
THE TIMES

‘An impressive achievement … this is an optimistic book’
SPECTATOR

‘A truly uplifting book on the power of gardening – and how it can change people’s lives. It’s a prevailing reminder that getting our hands in the soil and helping to grow plants and flowers makes all the difference to our minds and wellbeing’
STYLIST

‘A fascinating overlap between the still stumbling science of psychiatry and the ancient art of gardening’
FINANCIAL TIMES

‘The wisest book I’ve read for many years … Much more than a gardening book, much more than a guide to better mental health, it is a wholly convincing story of how troubled minds might find a way of reconnecting to themselves and rebuilding confidence and hope by way of nature … I’ve learned so much in the way of the history of psychiatry and psychology as well as practical tips for both mind and garden … Hugely recommended’
STEPHEN FRY

‘A compelling and deeply moving account of how profoundly our wellbeing can be affected through contact with gardening and the natural world. This is a timely call of return. Read it.’
EDMUND DE WAAL

‘An important and timely book … Beautifully written … I urge everyone to read it’
MONTY DON
All stars
Most relevant
This is a very enjoyable exploration of some the very positive aspects of gardening and the effect that connecting - or for many of us, reconnecting - with nature can have on our state of mind, our health and on our physical and mental well-being.

Sue Stuart-Smith gathers together a lot of the evidence - drawn from a variety of historical and contemporary sources and settings - which confirms much of what we probably innately know, that being close to the earth and experiencing the regeneration of plants can have a positive effect on us. The story of her grandfather, of prisoners and of those suffering Terminal or life-changing injuries are particularly striking.

Topical, both from the perspective of the need to look after our mental health whilst reflecting the return to gardens of allotments that many have experienced during the social isolation of COVID 19 - this should have a wide appeal.

My only real criticism is of the author’s slightly annoying habit of pausing to emphasise quotes that eventually feels rather patronising - like we can’t work that out for ourselves. Whilst I found her soft delivery quite soothing and enjoyable initially, after 8-9 hours, the saccharine sweet monotone, I’m afraid, began to grate.

Reconnecting the mind with the natural order

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A truly wonderful book. I listened to the audiobook as I tended my allotment and it has genuinely changed my perspective on the world.

Exceptional

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I'm a passionate advocate of the outdoors as an enriching environment for healthy living, teaching and learning I guess you could say that I'm rather receptive to the ideas and philosophies in this book.

However I was still really struck by the power and quality of the anecdotes and research references and have learned lots about the science and history of using nature as a healing force.

The narration by the author (whilst clear and authoritative) is also calm and gentle which adds a lot to the listening experience.

Thoroughly enjoyed it and highly recommend it.

Really love this book.

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This book should be read by everyone. Even if you aren't into gardening, it will inspire you to consider your place in the world, perhaps stop you in the tracks of busy life and show you some ways to find solace.

Wise, beautiful and hopeful

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Locked down with this book - it’s given me some comfort and helped me sleep at nights. Sue’s soothing tones and the message within feels so well researched, wise, and from the heart . The message is not always comfortable, as is the reflection of this world but not with covid, this was written before our present predicament . Not always bleak either, quite the opposite , with the joy, wonder and very real benefits we reap when we get back in touch with the earth . But a warning to listen to centuries of wisdom , which let’s face it - we are not very good at in the interests of commerce . Now in the presence of covid the message within this book is so particularly powerful and I wonder if the world after lockdown will have learnt anything - as with the final chapter I think our nation is once again divided between blind optimism or sheer pessimism as to our current political leaders. All I can say is perhaps our leaders might read this book - I very much hope they do and act upon the humanity and healing within. A beautiful and important book, one which politicians really should read as gardeners know this already .

Stunnning

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