Why lighting windows can create a positive and festive atmosphere One of the first things you might notice about Sweden in winter are the window lights. Even after dark, many people keep their curtains open to display small, softly lit lamps on the windowsill. And, as it gets closer to Christmas and Lucia – a …
Read moreHow to maintain your mental wellbeing during winter – the Swedish way
Why building a compelling story is essential for a grassroots campaign Emily Cleary, a seasoned campaigner, strategist and chair of her local Parent Teacher Association (PTA), which is responsible for strengthening the school community and ongoing fundraising initiatives, believes it all starts with a great story. Based in Buckinghamshire in the UK, she says: ‘A …
How can we define true belonging? Rather than just being about social networks, true belonging is a prevailing sense of connectedness. It’s a belief in being part of something meaningful and trusting that you’re right where you’re meant to be. And, ultimately, it begins with yourself, because belonging, as social researcher and author Brené Brown …
Read moreWhy cultivating a sense of belonging is good for your mental wellbeing
When was the typewriter first invented? Typing instruments go as far back as the 16th century, but it’s widely regarded that the first typewriters were invented in the early 19th century. Initially developed as a device for those with impaired vision and hearing, some early incarnations were far from the models that were to become …
Why thinking about other people is the key to good manners ‘I hate that concept of etiquette as something archaic – rules to judge people,’ Deborah says. ‘That’s the opposite of good manners. I think manners is thinking about other people. With that, you can’t go wrong.’ Approached in this way, communal living – be …
What makes Lundy Island a sanctuary for wildlife? Lundy’s kelp forests, reefs, sandy sediments, sea caves and shipwrecks provide space, peace and nourishment for dolphins, spiny lobster, pink sea fans, sunset cup coral and Atlantic grey seals. Important seabird colonies, including Manx shearwaters, guillemots, as well as puffins, have also flourished following the eradication of …
Read moreWhat makes Lundy Island an important nature reserve?
How have reflections from water been used in the art of gardening? Small or large, man-made or natural, bodies of water have long been exploited for their reflective and kinetic qualities. When walking around a lake or gazing out at an ocean sunset, nature’s beauty can appear exemplified through reflections in water. Perhaps it’s for …
Read moreHow artists have been inspired by mirrors and reflections
What are the signs of good communication in a relationship? In general, it’s when interactions, whether on a one-to-one basis or within a group, are direct and allow space for each person to communicate openly. It’s also characterised by tolerance, honesty, empathy and the ability to listen to and respect others’ views and thoughts, while …
Read moreHow to deal constructively with triangulation in your friendship or family circle
What are glimmers and how do they affect your body? Shortcuts to moments of joy, peace and other positive emotions are glimmers – a term coined by Deb Dana, a clinician, consultant and lecturer specialising in complex trauma. While triggers are widely understood as signals to the nervous system of a potential threat, fewer people …
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Do cold showers improve mental health? In theory, exposure to cold can increase the neurotransmitters in the brain that are known to improve mood, such as dopamine, serotonin and norepinephrine. Research as to whether this translates into reality, however, is limited. One very small study, published in the journal Medical Hypothesis, showed improved mood after …
Read moreIs it really true that cold showers are good for you?
