What first comes into your mind when you hear or see the word “tree”? Is it tree bark, gnarled or shiny or covered with ivy? Is it autumn leaves tinting now all different colours? Is it a walk in a wood or a city tree on a crowded street, or a childhood memory of doingContinue reading “Into The Woods”
Category Archives: Uncategorized
Ballet Boost
Have you ever thought that ballet might boost your wellbeing? Perhaps you dance, or used to dance. Perhaps you enjoy listening to ballet music, or watching ballet, either live in a theatre or streamed or on TV. For World Ballet Day, I’m exploring how ballet might improve wellness and mood. Why might it do that?Continue reading “Ballet Boost”
A Virtual Walk
Who wouldn’t seize an opportunity to spend half an hour enjoying a walk in the woods or by the sea – by virtual reality? If you were detained on a mental health ward, it would only be all the more welcome. As demand continues to soar for mental health care, more and more patients alsoContinue reading “A Virtual Walk”
Under The Stars
Do you know the names and order of the planets in our solar system? Do you follow NASA’s every move? Are you excited when space science succeeds, as when asteroid dust was brought to Earth recently? This is World Space Week, so I’m thinking how experiencing outer space could help lift mood and boost wellbeingContinue reading “Under The Stars”
Sound Of Silence
Do you know the Paul Simon song The Sound Of Silence? That might feel like a contradictory title for a song! Music for wellbeing is now recognised to be very positive. Do you agree? And how do you feel silence compares when it comes to boosting mood, or calming you? Of course most of ourContinue reading “Sound Of Silence”
Learning From Experience
This week marks a milestone for me: 3 years since I set up Medley, my online arts for wellbeing initiative. That time feels like it has flown. I am so happy to have stumbled upon working in arts for wellbeing, and so enjoy all that I do with it. As someone new to the sectorContinue reading “Learning From Experience”
Complexities
In his BBC Radio 4 series, “Is Psychiatry Working?”, Horatio Clare explores very important questions on diagnosis and treatment. He talks with doctors and researchers, compares psychiatry with psychology, and hears from people with lived experience. He himself has lived experience of treatment for mental health issues, and he draws on this to inform andContinue reading “Complexities”
Craft A Way
Creativity comes in so many different forms, and some stand out for us in how they lift mood and wellbeing. Art, drawing and painting, have to come first for me, but I have come to enjoy craft as well. I’m newer to craft, so I enjoy the variety and the stimulus, experimenting to see whatContinue reading “Craft A Way”
Well Climate
With the news that July was globally the hottest on record, the changing climate is once more headline news – for a time. Suddenly expressions like climate emergency feel tangible, particularly with news of fires and floods. These headlines may or may not spur political action, but one impact is clear. Like other news events,Continue reading “Well Climate”
Goal
As the women’s football World Cup starts today, this summer of sport is well underway. And linking sport with wellbeing, the other day I discovered the On Course Foundation, which gathers together former military personnel to play golf. Some may have physical injury or disability, some have mental health issues such as post-traumatic stress disorder.Continue reading “Goal”
Medley 