From a night of music under candlelight bliss, to a neighbourhood act of kindness, try something new that is guaranteed to enrich your wellbeing
1. Page-turners
In All Weathers: A Journey Through Rain, Fog, Wind, Ice and Everything In Between by Matt Gaw
In a magnificent testament to all weather, naturalist Matt Gaw walks across Britain through rain, fog, wind, ice, and everything in between, to change our perspective of the weather we consider as ‘bad’. He explores where our weather comes from, the ways in which it’s changing, and how we can welcome it into our lives.
(Out now, £16.99)
2. Out and about
Candlelight concerts
What’s better than listening to the music you love, played by talented musicians in a stunning venue lit by candlelight? From a moving tribute to Coldplay, to the cinematic music of Hans Zimmer, this one-of-a-kind experience hosts spectacular events for everyone. Your night of music awaits…
(Visit candlelightexperience.com)
3. Act of kindness
Start a neighbourhood book swap
Turn the page on a new act of kindness by swapping your favourite books with your neighbours. If they love reading just as much as you do, then it’s a brilliant way to discover new authors and genres without the cost, as well as fostering meaningful connections in your local community.
4. Lend us your ears
‘5 Minutes to Change Your Life’
Author and coach Joanne Mallon shows us that we don’t need to move mountains to make positive change in our lives. Each bite-sized episode reveals quick and easy changes that you can implement in your day-to-day that can have a significant impact, from handling stress to boosting self-esteem. What changes will you make today?
(Available on all podcast platforms)
5. Plugged-In
Slow life with Hannah
Slow living encourages you to live more intentionally, and is a trend with hugely restorative benefits for our wellbeing. Influencer Hannah Matthews’s account acts as a visual diary to document this slower pace of life, and inspires those who wish to embrace a more mindful way of living.
(Follow @slowlifewithhannah on TikTok)
6. Lesson Learned
Become a CALM mental health champion
If you’re a regular reader of our magazine, there’s a good chance you already know a lot about mental health, but refreshing your knowledge is just as important as having it. Expand what you know with a free online course by suicide prevention charity, Calm, and build strategies to support yourself and the people in your life.
(Find out more at thecalmzone.net)
7. Tech tip-offs
GeoGuessr
When your mind is spilling over with anxious thoughts, playing a game can offer a sense of temporary escapism for a moment. One game in particular is GeoGuessr, a free online game which drops you in a random location around the world where your mission is to guess where you are using clues.
(Play at geoguessr.com)
8. Get going
Boxercise
Having too much tension in our bodies isn’t good for us, so it’s important to engage in activities that help release this. One exercise that really packs a punch when it comes to stress-busting is boxercise, a high-impact class that combines movements from aerobic fitness and boxing, and involves hitting focus pads.
9. Square eyes
Inside the Mind of a Dog
We’re always talking about how our furry friends enrich our lives so much, but how much do we really know about them? In this captivating documentary, we follow three service dogs from training to adoption, and take a deep dive into their incredible minds, to learn about cognition and behaviour.
(Available to watch on Netflix)
10. Treat yourself
Sleep Affirmation Cards
Are self-critical thoughts stopping you from getting the restorative sleep you deserve? Well, you can rest easy, because this expert-approved pack of soothing affirmation cards is designed to shut down those niggling thoughts and create a calm headspace before you hit the hay. A staple for your bedtime routine!
(£15.95, giveyourselfkindness.com)
Comments