Ways to celebrate the Summer Solstice

I’ve noticed there seems to be 2 camps. People who just want to ‘get out there’ and do as much as possible while they can. And others who feel more cautious to do so. Neither are wrong or right, but this blog might just help you understand why some may feel reticent. ‘Walking, mindfulness being in nature are all good rehabilitation strategies for coming out of lockdown’, explained Ashley Styring – a trauma expert. “We may or may not know it, but our systems have been through a massive traumatic experience over this past year. For some, they may feel on high alert still – even if the vaccination programme is well underway”. Apparently because we’ve been dealing with an unseen threat, it’s affected our body’s normal way of coping. It’s called chaotic disorganization, where our nervous system moves in all directions as it tries to work out the best plan of action. It can leave you feeling scrambled, overwhelmed and not safe. Have you noticed feeling more short-tempered, out-of-sorts and stressed more than normal? Reticent to do things? It could well be your nervous system is still in fight or flight mode. So, what can you do to rehabilitate yourself? Well, there are many things that will help. But according to Ashley, it’s about doing things slowly and with awareness – or mindfully. “Fresh air, gentle movement and being in nature is extremely good for your nervous system as it has a grounding, healing affect”. And the more senses you use - not only sight and sound but also smell, feel and taste - the greater the benefits [1]. If you can spend a total of two hours a week connecting with nature, this increases health and wellbeing too [2]. So go slowly - at your own pace. Spend time gently out in nature. Walk amongst beauty while engaging all your senses. It will all soothe your nervous system and bring you back to your normal self. And when you are ready, come and join us on one of our sensory nature experiences . Not sure which one? Get in touch and I’ll talk you through the options – including bespoke sessions. This will also contribute towards your wellbeing. But for now, head outside and heal at your own pace. Ashley Styring offers 1-2-1 sessions on dealing with trauma (via Zoom). Please contact me for her details. References [1] www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-52479763 [2}www.nature.com/articles/s41598-019-44097-3

Walking at night can feel a bit like a mini-adventure. Instead of succumbing to the settee you’re doing something different to your usual routine. By doing so, it opens up a whole new world both outside - and inside of you. Believe it or not, it’s a fantastic way of combatting those winter blues as it expands your horizons. And this stimulates your happy chemicals. Even a bite-sized bit of time after dark makes you feel exhilarated. This is because your primary sense - sight - takes a back seat while all your other senses become alive. The crunch of snow underfoot. Feeling the breeze brush lightly over your face. Watching silhouettes move in the wind. Looking up to a bright, full moon. The activity totally focuses the brain, so you become more aware to the natural environment around you. All those things you may have missed before, suddenly grab your attention. When you’re less distracted, you mind is calmer too and troubling thoughts may just disappear. Your capacity to feel awe increases massively. An emotion which many scientists now believe is more important than happiness ( read more about awe here ). This feeling not only makes you feel more positive, it helps you regain a sense of perspective on life. Certainly I’ve stood on top of a wild moor and seen a huge star-filled sky and it’s taken my breath away. No matter how many times I do these experiences, I feel awe which stays with me for days afterwards. I feel more connected to this world and yet at the same time just a small part of life itself. But you don’t need to be in the middle of nowhere to experience this. Take yourself to your nearest green space and look up. Or join us on one of our dark sky experiences .

We set off just before sunset, travelling slowly along the edge of this ancient land, gently waking up our senses. Taking ourselves on an adventure that would calm the mind right down and make us feel more present. Doing this meant we could feel, hear and see so much more. Meanwhile, our guide Fabian, brought our attention to visible land marks, stars, and spoke to us about the universe. It was utterly enthralling.

Sitting, huddled around a fire, cosy in blankets, we looked in awe at the star-studded sky above us. Feeling alive and zinging from the twilight-cum-night walk we'd just done and the wildlife we'd heard and seen.

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