Depression, and getting over it

Depression is one of the biggest problems for men beyond 50.  We all feel low sometimes, but depression is long-term – I’ve met many mature men who have been depressed for years, often on antidepressants continually, and are resigned to living in semi-gloom indefinitely.

How would you know if you’re depressed?  Typical symptoms are self-dislike, lack of motivation, being preoccupied with negative thoughts and feelings about yourself and the world, loss of energy, sleeping poorly, pessimism, lack of interest in other people and life in general.

Woods: wellbeing and wisdom for maturing men



May bluebells in the heart of the wood



One of my top tips for men beyond fifty on how to enjoy life to the full, is to find yourself a wood to spend time in and make friends with.

Surprising?  I’ve seen it work for many other men, as well as me.  A wood can give you a sense of deep safety, of being nurtured.  It can bring you wisdom, and connect you with the strength of the Green Man and the Celtic tradition.

Men like proof of such claims.  I have no scientific data, but a lot of experience to refer to.  The main wood in my life is Hazel Hill, a 70-acre wood in Wiltshire which I have been caring for – and which has cared for me – since 1997.

At that time I received money from share options in the large company I was working for.  Instead of investing it, sensibly (?), in shares, I asked myself, ‘What would I enjoy doing with this money’, and out of nowhere came the answer – buy a wood.  Since then, I have learned a lot about conservation forestry, and have created simple wooden buildings which are used by a range of retreat groups.  The deepest of these events that I have experienced have all been men’s groups.