Did you know that every fourth Australian adult experiences loneliness? Half of Australians feel lonely at least one day a week, and a quarter of adults feel lonely for at least three days in any given week. These statistics were not influenced by the recent pandemic but were published by the Australian Psychological Society in 2018.
It’s no wonder that social isolation and loneliness were described as an ‘epidemic’ and a major health concern in a recent white paper by Ending Loneliness Together, a national network of organisations dedicated to addressing the growing problem of loneliness.
Data published by the Australian Institute of Health and Wellbeing, a Commonwealth agency, reveal two remarkable facts: loneliness has been on the rise over the past 20 years and affects all age groups from 15 onwards. Concerns regarding the impact of loneliness have been noted before, during, and after the pandemic, including its impact on mental health and suicide.
It’s worth noting that there are a number of interrelated terms and concepts that can sometimes be slightly unhelpful. Terms like social isolation, loneliness, social disconnectedness, and more all address issues that impact human health in some form or another.
However, there are lifestyle steps one can take to reduce the risk of social isolation and mitigate the impact of loneliness. An increasing number of studies have shown that forming a new group or joining an existing one with an interest in growing vegetables can make a significant difference. Community gardens are a common feature in urban spaces. Alongside this, there are other options available, such as urban farms that operate as social enterprises and regularly seek out volunteers. Furthermore, people with private vegetable gardens can also invite friends to spend time in the garden.
The key thing to note is that even a very small project, like a small veggie patch, can be reason enough for a small group of people to spend time together. People have been cultivating vegetable gardens for millennia, and for good reason. While the amount of produce grown in a garden can significantly supplement a family’s fresh produce needs, the social capital built through such group activities can lead to even greater health benefits.
A sense of belonging, coupled with physical and mental health benefits, as well as social interaction with people who share the same interest in growing fresh vegetables and herbs, can over time make all the difference in someone’s well-being. That is one small but vital part of the reason why Gleanr platform offers its users an opportunity to form private groups.
