Year: 2023

Picture Parade Five Hundred and Four

More stray dogs from Unsplash.

Yes, continuing the very sad but very beautiful photos of the stray dogs.

Photo by Jesse Schoff on Unsplash

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Photo by Joshua Anand on Unsplash

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Photo by Evelyn Céspedes on Unsplash

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Photo by Rangarajan Ragunathan on Unsplash

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Photo by Amruth Pillai on Unsplash

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Photo by Petra Bouchalova on Unsplash

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Photo by Marco Ceschi on Unsplash

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Photo by Luke Jones on Unsplash

These are such powerful photographs and the many photographers who contributed them to Unsplash are to be heartily congratulated, especially as they are provided without charge.

Thank you to all the photographers. I am certain that I am not the only one saying ‘thank you’ even if most of you are thinking a ‘thank you’ rather than verbalising it. I am unsure at this stage as to whether I will post further photographs from Unsplash; any feedback?

A calmer mind – Wood

Concluding the series from BBC Radio 4

If you have not registered with the BBC then you will need to do so before the link at the bottom works.

This last time it is wood. Here it is:

In this episode – Wood – we visit the Woodwork for Wellbeing Workshop in Bethnal Green, London where every Tuesday people with mental health issues spend time making things with wood. They find it to be very therapeutic and fun. And Professor Miles Richardson of the University of Derby shares research from Japan which shows that simply touching wood is calming.

Produced and Presented by Helen Needham

Research by Anna Miles and Maud Start

Original Music by Anthony Cowie

Mixed by Ron McCaskill

BBC Radio 4

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m001np8k

This is the last one of this series from the Beeb and if any of you have noticed I chose to present these programmes in a different order to that presented by the BBC.

chose‘ is only slightly accurate – the true reason is that I screwed up!

A calmer mind – Earth

Another broadcast from BBC Radio 4 in this series!

As I said before, so far this has been a fascinating series of programmes and, hopefully, some of you have listened to the episodes.

In Episode 5 – Earth – we visit the Horticultural Therapy Trust allotment in Plymouth and discover how gardening can be soothing for people with severe mental illnesses. We also hear about how putting our hands in the earth can be good for our gut microbiome and potentially our mental health.

Produced and Presented by Helen Needham
Research by Anna Miles and Maud Start
Original Music by Anthony Cowie
Mixed by Ron McCaskill and Malcolm Torrie

A BBC Scotland Production made in Aberdeen for BBC Radio 4

BBC Radio 4

https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m001p6vt

Tomorrow we publish another programme in this series.

A calmer mind – Air

The choice is now air.

This is about breathing and is something I know about. Because Bruce at our local ClubNorthwest has a session with me when I spend five minutes or so taking in through the nose the deepest breath that I can.

If you have not registered with the BBC then you will need to do so before the link at the bottom works.

In Episode 4 – Air – we visit an infant school in Nottingham where young children regularly learn breathing techniques to reduce stress and anxiety. We also hear about research from Italy showing how slowing our breathing impacts positively on brain activity. Plus breath coach and founder of School Breathe, Aimee Hartley, shares her experience of learning to breathe well.

Produced and Presented by Helen Needham
Research by Anna Miles and Maud Start
Original Music by Anthony Cowie
Mixed by Ron McCaskill and Malcolm Torrie

A BBC Scotland Production made in Aberdeen for BBC Radio 4

BBC Radio 4

https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m001p1pg

Another programme tomorrow!

A calmer mind – Water

Continuing this fascinating series from BBC Radio 4.

Last week the BBC chose to present a programme called An Almanac for Anxiety. There were five episodes: Fire; Wood: Water: Air; Earth.

If you have not registered with the BBC then you will need to do so before the link below works.

The details of each episode were presented on the BBC website:

In Episode 3 – Water – we join a group of socially prescribed outdoor swimmers on Teignmouth Beach in Devon who find joy in immersing themselves in cold water. We also hear why spending time around blue spaces is so effective at promoting a sense of calm from Dr Catherine Kelly of the University of Brighton.

Produced and Presented by Helen Needham
Research by Anna Miles and Maud Start
Original Music by Anthony Cowie
Mixed by Ron McCaskill and Malcolm Torrie

A BBC Scotland Production made in Aberdeen for BBC Radio 4

BBC Radio 4

https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m001nvp1

Tomorrow we present the episode on Air.

Trust you are enjoying these!

A calmer mind – Fire

A fascinating series from BBC Radio 4

Last week the BBC chose to present a programme called An Almanac for Anxiety. There were five episodes: Fire; Wood: Water: Air; Earth.

If you have not registered with the BBC then you will need to do so before the link below works.

The details of each episode were presented on the BBC website:

Anxiety is the most common form of mental illness in the UK, with nearly a fifth of people experiencing it over the course of a year. Although it is often treated through medication, there are many alternative ways which are proving to be very effective in reducing anxiety amongst some people. In this series, we explore how connecting with the elemental forces of nature helps people with a range of mental illnesses to feel better. We also learn about the current academic research behind these methods.

In Episode 1 – Fire – we visit an overnight camp on the banks of the River Spey near Aviemore in the Scottish Highlands run by the charity Fire and Peace. According to the participants, – who have a range of mental ill health and addiction issues – the experience of spending time around the fire in nature is transformative when it comes to promoting feelings of connection and wellbeing. We also hear new research which shows how being around a campfire can be calming.

BBC Radio 4

I am going to share the link to the BBC each day this week with a new episode each day. The programmes are 15 minutes long and in my opinion well worth listening to.

So here’s the first one:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m001ng75

Tomorrow, it is the turn of wood!

Now above we were told: ‘Anxiety is the most common form of mental illness in the UK’ but of course we all know that anxiety affects many millions across the world. That is why I intend to share with you all five programmes.