Will Young reveals how gardening has helped his anxiety
Singer and actor Will Young has revealed how gardening helped his anxiety and mental health on a recent episode of Gardeners' World, which aired on BBC Two on Friday 21st June.
Will, who won Pop Idol back in 2002, gave presenter Joe Swift a tour of his farmhouse in Blisland, Cornwall. While showing him around his home, Will explained how being outside in the garden has been a huge help with his mental health struggles over the years.
Speaking to Joe, Will said: "Gardening has become a very beneficial thing for my wellbeing. It's something that I deliberately put into my daily and weekly routine."
"I got very ill. I have anxiety disorder, so gardening really grounds me and it really helps. I like to feel the earth, so it has definitely become a saviour," Will explains.
His Cornish home is surrounded by stunning green land, beautiful flowers and unrivalled countryside views. Will has planted wild flowers, a beech hedge and made space for an outdoor fire pit.
"I moved to Cornwall around 14-years-ago. I started coming down this way because when I went into pop, I wanted a place for some seclusion. I found this wonderful house and then my parents also came down here six-years-ago."
In the episode, Will also explained how his family are keen gardeners, and that his father often makes bird boxes to attract wildlife outdoors.
"My mum is a garden designer, as is my dad and my sister. I was a gardener throughout my A-Levels and university. I used to listen to music while I mowed [the lawn] and would listen to my audition songs for Pop Idol. I also earned the money to get me up to London for the audition by gardening."
"Where would I be without gardening. I just love it — it's so good for the soul."
You can catch up on the full episode here.
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