Monty revealed how doing one thing has helped him with his health struggles (Image: Getty)
Monty Don, the cherished face of Gardeners’ World, has candidly discussed his long-standing health battle.
In a heartfelt conversation with Nikki Bedi on Radio 4’s Saturday Live, emphasised the solace and healing power of nature throughout his mental health journey.
The 69-year-old shared insights into his early struggles, saying: “Over the years I’ve struggled with depression. With hindsight, since my teenage years.”
He spoke about the therapeutic effect of engaging with the environment, particularly the act of gardening, saying: “And always getting outside [helps]. For me connecting with the soil, the soil is really important to me, literally putting my hands in the soil and feeling that, planting things.”
Monty was speaking on BBC Radio 4’s Saturday Live (Image: Getty)
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“But getting outside, seeing the sunrise if possible, and sunset and walking, I’m looking out the window now, talking to you and it’s great and the branches are bleak and bare, but I know if I go out there, I’ll feel better.”
He also touched upon the broader recognition of outdoor activity as a form of therapy, saying: “There’s a lot of good work done on this, that exercise outdoors is really good medicine.”
This isn’t the first instance of Monty being open about his mental health. He has previously disclosed his experiences with Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) and his practice of seeking sunnier retreats during the colder months to manage his ‘winter sun’ needs.
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Last year, while appearing on the Travel Diaries podcast, he remarked: “A few weeks of that (going abroad during the winter months) has a profound effect. If you can afford it, or organise it, that really makes a difference.”
The NHS describes Seasonal Affective Disorder, sometimes known as ‘winter depression’, as a type of depression that fluctuates with the seasons. Symptoms vary among those affected but often include a persistent low mood, altered sleep patterns, and diminished energy levels.
It’s estimated that around 5% of the UK population suffers from Seasonal Affective Disorder.