Mirroring My Mind

When music can creare and convey a mood with just a few beats, it’s no wonder that emotions and music & song are deeply interwoven on different levels. And this throws up many questions, exploring how and why music mirrors what we think and feel – or do we mirror the music? One way musicContinue reading “Mirroring My Mind”

Off The Scale

Last Monday was World Opera Day, so I’m writing here about opera – another in my occasional series of posts highlighting particular music genres and how they might boost wellbeing in different ways. I’ve already considered musicals, ballet, folk and jazz – now it’s opera’s turn. Opera is high drama. Costumes, sets and lighting allContinue reading “Off The Scale”

Opening Up Nature

The other day I came across a magazine feature about beetle research, inviting citizen scientists to record the beetles they see. Insect sightings and citizen science might seem unlikely themes for a wellbeing blog. But it struck me that taking part in research like this is another, different way of connecting with nature, with allContinue reading “Opening Up Nature”

At The Keys

As Piano Month draws to a close, I’ve been thinking what might be distinct about the piano as an instrument, and why it holds such an important place in many people’s musical memory & imaginations. Piano music conjures up so many different moods. It can be joyful, triumphant, fun, playful, lively, wistful, dreamy or contemplative.Continue reading “At The Keys”

Looking Back, Looking Ahead

A year since I first set up Medley to share art, music and nature for wellbeing, I thought I would look back over the last twelve months – and ahead to what might come next. Integral to Medley is combining three different ways to boost wellbeing, that is, music, nature and art. Balancing the threeContinue reading “Looking Back, Looking Ahead”

Immerse Yourself

With International Forest Bathing Day falling on 12 September, I thought I would explore this intriguing idea, which for many people has become a way to improve wellbeing. The expression “forest bathing” is memorable and striking, but could also be confusing. Not only is there no need to get wet, but you don’t even haveContinue reading “Immerse Yourself”

Clear Air, Clear Mind

Maybe, like me, you heard that last Tuesday was Take Your Houseplants For A Walk Day. No, I haven’t (so far) headed throught the door with my trusty spider plants…but it got me thinking about the importance of house plants, and how they help wellbeing. Houseplants link us to nature and to the great outdoors.Continue reading “Clear Air, Clear Mind”

Landscape Through The Lens

As lockdowns have reconnected many more people with nature and with its impact on wellbeing, so many are also looking to deepen that connection in new ways. These might be sports or wild swimming – or photography. I’m focusing here specifically on landscape photography, and another time hope to write about other kinds of natureContinue reading “Landscape Through The Lens”

In More Ways Than One

As I’m writing during Deafblind Awareness Week, this blog post seemed an opportunity to reflect how people living with sight and hearing loss might find nature, art and music helpful in all different ways. Running this year from 27 June to 3 July, Deafblind Awareness Week is focusing on telling other people, sharing the experiencesContinue reading “In More Ways Than One”