Positives – And Breathe……

A Walk in the Woods – Looking for Shinrin-yoku.

November 14, 2018Paul Harris

“A tree with strong roots laughs at storms” – Malay Proverb

We all know that getting out and walking is good for our mental health, but for that bit extra help in feeling better take a walk in the woods.

Walking among trees is really good for our wellbeing. You must have felt it when you’ve been for a walk in woodland; the feelings of relaxation and grounding, of feeling more peaceful? The Japanese call this feeling shinrin-yoku, or forest breathing.

I will be exploring more about why walking amongst trees is so good for us, but for now I want to share a couple of my experiences with you, and yes….. this is when it gets a bit woo woo, but bear with me. Read more →

Gardening to Aid With Anxiety & Depression.

October 26, 2018Paul Harris

Since moving house I have loved spending time in the garden; I have found that it really helps my mood (unless Leo is busy digging holes in the already struggling lawn). I can feel super stressed but just going outside to sweep up some leaves or do a bit of weeding can help reduce my anxiety and stress levels.

Not having a garden was always a down side to living in London. Some of the flats I lived in had a balcony or some sort of outside space, however this was no substitute and whenever we visited our friends, the Saunders Family, I would love being in their garden and it always made me long for one of my own, and now I have it….. wooohoooo!!!

As Kim and I are renting the house there is a limit to what we can do, however we have already achieved a lot when you consider the state it was in when we moved in. A lot of pruning and trips to the recycling centre later, and now it’s a space that we all love to be in, especially Leo. Read more →

The Road Not Taken – Robert Frost

October 18, 2018Paul Harris

Cherish the Positives Whilst Fighting the Demons.

October 17, 2018Paul Harris

When you are struggling with anxiety and depression, it can be really difficult to notice anything positive that happens, most things slip under the radar so quickly that you miss them completely.

It is these positive moments that are really important to try and notice, and when you do, you need to grab hold of them and don’t let them go; they are like precious gems.

The problem is that the negative moments always seem more overwhelming than the positive ones. Last week was a great week for me; I had an article published in the Hitchin Comet (my local newspaper) and I completed the first challenge of my ‘Adventures of an Anxious Mind’. Read more →