Dr Louise Newson, who recently joined forces with award-winning garden designer, Ruth Gwynn, to create the Newson Health Menopause Show Garden for Gardeners World Live, wants to help ensure that we better use our gardens for rest and relaxation.
'Like many women, I work long hours,' she tells us, 'so for me gardening is essential for my own mental health. It gets me out in the fresh air surrounded by nature, and there is a real sense of achievement in growing new plants or your own produce.
'If you are fortunate enough to have an outdoor space like a garden, try and treat it like a natural extension to your home. See it as a place to sit and relax with a good book, a space for exercise or meditation, or somewhere to unwind at the end of the day with loved ones.
'If your garden is looking a little neglected, try and carve out some time to give it a tidy up – you could lighten the load by asking family or friends to give you a hand. You don’t have to splash out on lots of expensive plants or fancy garden furniture, just small changes like a few potted herbs or fragrant plants like lavender can help create a lovely calming atmosphere and turn it into a space you want to spend time in.'