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Four Podcasts Which Could Boost Your Mental Wellbeing

10/2/2021

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I wrote this short article for a work wellbeing newsletter - hope it's useful. These Covid days are challenging for all, and mental health should be a priority in your self-care!

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Four Podcasts Which Could Boost Your Mental Wellbeing
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I admit, I was late to the whole ‘listening to podcasts’ thing and struggled to find ones I liked for a long time. However, I have found some awesome wellbeing podcasts, and I’m sharing in the hope that someone reading this finds a gem too.
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  1. The Therapy Edit – my favourite of what I’ve found in recent months, not least because it’s only 10-20 mins long. My stamina for podcast listening is quite short, but this one ran through Lockdown (1) and is still available. So helpful and I always feel better after listening to Anna Mathur, who is ‘taking therapy out of the therapy room.’
 
  1. The Happiness Lab – a relatively long listen on Spotify, but I find breaking it up using the advert breaks useful. The most recent episode I’ve tuned into was ‘For whom the alarm clock tolls’ – appealed to both my sleep loving and Metallica loving self! – and was really insightful about ‘time confetti’. I really have this concept featuring daily in my life and had no idea! #workinprogress

  2. Fearne Cotton’s Happy Place – another Spotify gem, even if you don’t know exactly who the celebrity guests are. A really wide, honest spectrum of experiences, and often an eye-opener. From Tom Daley to Joe Wicks, Dawn French to Tom Kerridge, learn what makes these celebs happy and maybe pick up some tips yourself.

  3. Finally, the Mindful Mix on BBC Sounds. This is a classical, calming mix tape, and it really takes the pressure off trying to think of relaxing classical music to chill out to.

Enjoy!

Lou x

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Born to be a Tourist


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8 Ways Trees Help The Environment

3/2/2021

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I am planting a tree as a New Years Resolution in 2021, but how long will it be before the environment feels the positive impacts of my single, small action?


I'm going to plant an apple tree in our new house, once the move FINALLY happens (the last week of Feb, I'm hoping). It's a birthday present from my parents, and though they laughed when I said I wanted it to bear fruit within the year - impatient non-gardener that I am! - planting even a single tree has got to be a good thing. And not just for apple crumbles. After some research, I found some awesome environmental benefits a single additional tree can do for the world. Here are 8 ways trees help the environment. 

Obviously, the first one is...

1. CLEANING THE AIR - apparently this can take up to 25 years to be effective with a mature tree, but little by little, as the tree grows, it has a positive impact on ammonia, sulphur dioxides, ozone etc. 

2. ABSORBING CO2 AND CREATING OXYGEN - In one year, an acre of mature trees absorbs the same amount of CO2 produced when you drive your car 26,000 miles. My front lawn is hardly an acre, but still! That same acre of forested land can provide enough oxygen for 18 people for a whole year.

3. TREES COOL URBAN AREAS - releasing water vapour into the air and creating shady spots, also PROTECTING US FROM HARMFUL UV RAYS. Placed strategically, they can even lower the need for air con in the summer, if you have it installed, thus becoming tools in CONSERVING ENERGY USE. 

4. Almost immediately, my humble tree will become A HABITAT FOR INSECTS, AND LATER, BIRDS and have a positive impact on SOIL EROSION. This also helps with flood alleviation - very welcome, when we're buying a new property!

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Bramley Apples
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A Braeburn tree
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Kingston Black (cider apples)

5. TREES SAVE WATER. It's simple: Shade from trees slows water evaporation from thirsty lawns. It's a positive even when measured against how much water a newly planted tree needs. 

6. I've even read that TREES REDUCE VIOLENCE! Neighbourhoods and homes that are barren have shown to have a greater incidence of violence in and out of the home than their greener counterparts. Trees and landscaping help to reduce the level of fear.

7. Aside from apples for my crumble, TREES PROVIDE FOOD FOR ANIMALS AND INSECTS through fruit, seeds and even bark. 

8. TREES ABSORB DUST AND THE STRENGTH OF THE WIND, REDUCING SOUND POLLUTION , AND REDUCING GLARE.


Oh, go on then, one more... This isn't environmentally-related but it's fascinating all the same...

9. TREES AID RECOVERY FOR SICK PATIENTS - Studies have shown that patients with views of trees out their windows heal faster and with less complications. Fascinating!

I wish I had more space for more trees!

Lou x


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Born to be a Tourist
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A Visit to Roald Dahl's Square

28/10/2020

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On Monday, El Husbandio and I went to Cardiff for a boring life admin appointment. I had 20 mins to myself so being a big Roald Dahl fan, I wandered along to 'Roald Dahl Plass' on Mermaid Quay. 

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To be brutally honest, I was extremely disappointed with the landmark dedicated to the brilliant writer. If I get so famous people want to memorialise me, plant a tree or lable a bench. Don't follow Cardiff's lead and lay concrete.

​Poor Roald Dahl... Such an important part of many childrens' lives, a lovely man, and an author well deserving of a decent memorial - and what did he get? A few concrete pillars erected around a concrete flat on the edge of the docks. 

The William Pye Water Tower (the taller silver structure in the photo was a decent enough installation, but it made Dahl's tribute even more shabby an effort. Poor show, Cardiff. 

Can anyone tell me what the square (the 'plass') is used for? Do they hold events there in non-Covid days? It was hard to tell, there were very few pedestrians around, given the restaurants and cafes on the quay were all closed for the Welsh 'fire break' lockdown. 
​Quick facts about Roald Dahl, my favourite childrens' writer...

     - He was born in Cardiff to Norweign parents. 

     - Dahl wasn't just a story writer - he was also a fighter pilot in World War 2. 

     - He would have been 104 years old if he was alive today. 

     - And my favourite book? The BFG!
Those who don't believe in magic will never find it.
— Roald Dahl, The Minpins
I believe in magic, but there was certainly none of the Dahl magic here on Mermaid Quay.

​The quick trip to Roald Dahl Plass may have been a let-down, but I did however enjoy a tasty cookies and cream cereal bar from Lidl that happily I found in my handbag, and I did find (an appropriate memorial of) Ivor Novello. All was not lost. And then the heavens opened and I got soaked! What a random, curious, disappointing and wet 20 mins! Back to the car I went!

Lou x

Find me on Facebook
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Born To Be A Tourist
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Scruffy Trainers

30/5/2020

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I love this photo of my scruffy trainers.

This photo reminds me of a great day we had as a family recently during Lockdown. We cycled out to Severn Beach and back, with a picnic in a field on the way. The dog ran the whole way - about 10 miles! - and we had a lovely time. 

You don't have to go for to feel like you're some place totally new and away from home, sometimes. 

Lou x
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Creative Play in Lockdown

10/5/2020

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I'm trying to think of new ways to entertain my 10 month old during lockdown (and another week of household isolation). It takes some imagination sometimes, but I think we are doing ok!


Accidental spill of my Diet Coke on the highchair tray turned into a fun wet play exploration activity... Video here >> https://youtu.be/EaY-874UO-8 For some silly reason I can't paste the video here. Restrictions of blogging via smartphone!

Cookie Dough Sensory - uncooked cookie dough is awesome, tasty and fun to play with. Video here >> https://youtu.be/VBadvJpy1VE

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Today we tried sensory spaghetti.  I made up a batch of spaghetti, drained it, added a splash of oil and divided it into three. I dug out some old food colouring and made some decent colours... but Rox didn't engage as much as I'd hoped  she ate a bunch and lots went on the floor, but hey, we tried!

Lou x

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7 ideas for baby play in lockdown

14/4/2020

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At the start of lockdown I was finding it hard to think of ideas to entertain my 10 month old. Everything online seemed too advanced or simple...


So I started my own list. She's not quite up to all of these but the more we practice, the more Rox seems to grasp the idea. Her arm motor skills are developing, but she's well on with talking and  responding to sound and visuals. Feel free to steal these ideas! 

1. Painting with mashed potato.
Safe if they (when they) eat the 'paint'. I dyed ours with beetroot, blue food dye and turmeric. Hello, first artwork!

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2. "Where's the baby?" 
Stand in another room and call to your baby to see how she responds. I do this a lot when I'm going upstairs to collect her from a (rare!) nap. 

3. Press the doorbell and watch her catch on that doing so creates a sound. 

4. New toys - I'm not into masses of plastic or spending a fortune, so we've been experimenting with new things...

 - wooden spoon - a winner!
 - pots and pan lids
 - pebbles and sand (for a few months time)
 - double cream pots for stacking and playing 'hide the rattle'
 - paddling pool
 - a busy board (made by me, so proud!)

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5. New songs - relive your childhood with some nursery rhymes! Dance in front of your baby to old.classics! Sing along with the radio in an opera voice!

6. "Chumi TV" - that's what we call 'watchibg the dog play'. Chumi is a lively collie and knows to run away when Rox goes for her ears...

7. Start the learning for using cutlery - plastic, of course. That'll keep you busy with the mess and the fun of a new thing baby can master. Be patient!

What new ideas have you had for your baby while you can't socialise? 

Lou x
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A (free) week on Now TV

29/3/2020

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We're in Lockdown from Covid-19... What better time to get a free trial on Now TV?!

This is what I've watched over the last week. I haven't been bingeing - even with Lockdown I'm keeping busy  - but here's what I thought of what I did catch. 

Toy Story 4
Really disappointing! I loved Toy Story 1, 2, and 3, but this was not a keeper. **SPOILER ALERT** I guess there's going to be a fifth, we'll see if Pixar and Disney can bounce back, even with Woody now no longer with his team of toys and a family. 

Dara O'Briain: This Is The Show
Now, this was good. I do like Dara, but I especially liked his comedy on NCT groups. Preach!!!! 

A Star Is Born
I've wanted to watch this for ages, and I wasn't disappointed. Bradley Cooper and Lady Gaga were fantastic, and I felt really moved in several parts. Go see, if you've not already!

Alan Carr Yap Yap Yap
Pretty entertaining but there's a limit to how many of these I can watch!

The Lion King (2019)
I'm not generally a fan of the remakes (see previous blogs) but I couldn't resist this, a true favourite... And it wasn't too bad. Pumba and Timon were actually improved: No wailing crying, some good lines, and Seth Rogan is always a welcome voice. One bit I did think was a bit crap was the Be Prepared song. One of my favourites from the original film and I really missed Jeremy Irons as Scar. Still, one of the better remakes, worth watching. 

And that was my week of Now TV! Not too much viewing, busy with baby and we don't watch a huge amount generally anyway, but it was worth it for A Star Is Born alone. Go get a free trial!

Lou x

P.S. I made myself happy today by watching The Lion King.
I was productive today by making plum buns.
I helped someone today (hopefully) by displaying a rainbow picture in my front window. A lot of my neighbours are doing it, lovely positive sharing in isolation.
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Blogs: My Recommendations

28/3/2018

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So, I may not have been so prolific in my own blog writing in the last year, but I've discovered some corkers I regularly check in on, and I'm here to share.

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My Baking Addiction: by Jamie, who self-certifies herself as someone who bakes too much. I love it!

The Environment Agency has a great blog, for scientifically minded people and those who are not so - always hot on subjects affecting the UK's environment and beyond.

A new find: A Cranky Flier. Brett, the blogger, writes regular posts sharing his three favourite links to travel news on the web - among other great content.

A dear friend and past colleague of mine writes a fab mental health blog. Take a look at WYSE THOUGHTS, and say hi to Paul.

Gray (with an 'a') Matter has some great stories, always something interesting to read and learn here. A recent favourite of mine was the post on beautiful metro stations you can find across the planet.

Huffington Post has a Good News blog - brings warm feelings from around the world.

Let me know if I've missed your favourite!

Lou x

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Dog Days

9/5/2017

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So, El Husbandio and I became dog owners in February. We'd been thinking about getting one for a while, and saw what seemed to be the perfect dog advertised on Gumtree. We collected her from a family in Swindon who'd (stupidly) bought her for Christmas and couldn't cope with a puppy's energy and costs after a month, so she's kind of a rescue - and we got so lucky!

Chumi (short for "Chumiko", which means "black conker" in Spanish) is a Collie, with a hint of Whippet hips and legs about her. She's now five months old and just gorgeous. She's slept through the night (I sound like a mother!) from the start, she could already sit and would poop outdoors, she's so friendly with other dogs and people, learning more every day.

I'm not going to just brag about our wonderful pup, here, though. There's a real, useful reason for this blog today. As it's Mental Health Awareness Week, I want to share how having a dog has improved my mental well-being. You may scoff, and people have scoffed, at the idea of how the presence of a dog has helped, but I'm a convert to the idea. It works.

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I was a non-believer. I thought the benefits of a dog were limited to having company at home and perhaps more walking to boost your physical health. However, since Chumi came into our lives, I've discovered so much about how having a dog in the house can be beneficial to more than just your exercise regime.

Some of you may be aware that I've struggled with my mental health over the last two to three years. It's a long story, but the up-shot is that I'm definitely on the mend and slowly returning to my old self. Being able to realise that is an important and significant step.

I've tried several things to help me through anxiety, depression and a general emotional confusion: three forms of medication (one made sick, one I was petrified of, and the one I settled with, I'm starting to wean off - yay!), 121 counselling, CBT group classes, more exercise, reading up on mental health blogs, talking openly with friends and family, quitting booze, and trying to re-discover what made me more content and 'me' in the past.

Now, I know what you think I'm going to say. The dog was the key to it all. That's not true. I believe a mixture of all the things above helped me to re-stabilise and begin to function in a way that is normal for me again. However, I have a feeling that having a dog in my life has given more the final push to returning to good mental health.

The answer to solving the conundrum and debilitation of depression is not 'one size fits all', but I sure think a dog should be prescribed on the NHS! *tongue in cheek*

So how has becoming a dog owner assisted me on my recovery?

  1. The obvious one is I'm getting more exercise. Exercise is a key part to recovery from mental illness. Chumi has a walk first thing from El Husbandio, then a longer walk when I'm back from work. We're out for a minimum of 40 mins at a time, and I often forget the time, enjoying the time out so much. I've been trying to lose a little weigh since November, and it's no coincidence that I'm my lightest (and have been for seven weeks now!) now we have a dog.
  2. Linked to this, is the additional fresh air I'm getting on these walks. Always a good thing!
  3. I've also realised, since walking Chumi, that dogs live in the moment; they're masters of Mindfulness, without even knowing it! Our walks together have helped me 'switch off' and she's helped me, in a weird way, to become more mindful and relaxed as a result.
  4. Dogs lighten the mood. El Husbandio and I haven't had the easiest start to marriage, and Chumi allows us to make light-hearted or grumpy comments about situations to someone who won't challenge your gripes.
  5. Chumi is a great distraction - for good and for bad! She needs attention, feeding, walking, and all the rest of it, which adds another element of routine and a distraction from things which might worry our little brains too much.
  6. There's less pressure in the household. Bless him, El Husbandio is a neat freak, who can't relax if the dishes haven't been done. However, playing with the dog has seemingly become more important than household chores. Not in a bad way, we're far from living in squalor, but we're a little more relaxed about when things get done now. Yay!
  7. I'm feeling the love - Chumi gives us unconditional love. She isn't a captive, she loves being with us and shows us every day by playing, 'dog smiling' and licking kisses all over our hands and faces. Naturally, she's a pack animal, and she loves being part of our small 'pack'. It's not just that we're the ones who feed her - other people give her treats, but it's us she comes home too, even when she escapes the harness! She's not a human substitute, however much I love her, but she's a great companion.
  8. I'm also sharing the love. As in Gary Demonte Chapman's 'Five Languages Of Love', one of the main ways I like to show love is by giving gifts. I'm always baking for friends and family, often sending fun post to those I love, and grabbing a little gift I come across for El Husbandio when I know he'd love it. Sharing the love with Chumi is easy and so gratifying. She takes about three minutes to suss out a new toy and then plays with it to death. She's happy, grateful, curious, and a pleasure to watch.
  9. My social circles have widened, almost with immediate effect upon starting to walk Chumi in our local area. I have, I guess, one new friend I now walk with regularly, and new acquaintances I bump into (mostly known by the name of their dog, admittedly!), and it's so nice to be able to have those community links. We're thinking of taking Chumi to fly-ball classes, which again, will widen both her and our social circles.

Take a look at this website for more on how dogs can help with mental therapy. For a more hefty read, try this recent study on pet owners and increased levels of self-esteem. You may be surprised - I was sceptical, never having had a dog before, but I can't believe the difference Chumi has made to my mental health well-being. Just the fact I can reflect and notice the difference shows how far I've come in this short time.

As the author Julie Myerson puts it

"Most of all, when your confidence is at its lowest, when you feel battered – by life, death and (especially) other humans – a dog will shove her nose in your hand and tell you, with conviction and feeling, what a really good person you are."

And in such grim times as these, a little sunshine in a simple way is something we could all benefit from.

If you think you could benefit from a dog's company but can't commit, why not take a look at Borrow My Doggy? You can meet up with local owners who need extra walking for their pooch and get the benefits of having a dog without the long term commitments. Let me know how you get on!

Lou x

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Born to be a Tourist

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13 Lame Things That Are Cool Now I’m 30

19/4/2017

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I'm not the coolest person in the world, but I know what I like. And I don't hide from them even if they're a bit lame. However, I've recently realised there are many things which, having been lame in the past, are now cool I've jumped into my thirties. 






























Do you empathise with any of these?

1. Doing the laundry. I love the smell, the organisation, and folding clothes tidies my brain as well as the t-shirts and pants.

2. No hangovers on a Sunday morning. I haven’t had a killer hangover since 2013 and I am glad. Sure, I still drink, **UPDATE I've quit** but it’s more the toll of the late night which affects me more than the alcohol content anyway. When I was 18 I remember thinking 'I can't imagine not enjoying clubbing every weekend'. How things change!

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3. A full cutlery drawer. This means the dishwasher (if I’m at my parents’ place) is empty – putting the clean stuff away is not a job I enjoy! – or the dishes have been done at home. Yay, thanks husband! We have a lot of cutlery, so we can go a while without washing it, but it’s nice to see a full complement of utensils. A happy kitchen!

4. Paying off bills. I hate having debt, so a clean credit card statement and no bills due is a good thing. Boring, but good in the long-run. 

5. Family parties – of all kinds, for all ages. Family has become more and more important to me over the last 5-10 years. We had 4 family members pass away between 2009 and 2013 and it’s no surprise that it’s brought one or two of our relatives closer to my immediate family. Some family relationships could of course be better (the clue is in the word ‘family’!), but family remains key. 

6. Pay day – never really lame, but I think I have more interesting things to spend it on, day by day. It's not a huge salary, but it beats getting £4.25 / hour as a 14 year old Saturday girl! I am always grateful to have a job, and one I enjoy at that, let alone one which allows me to live / travel / save. 

7. Keeping fit and controlling what I eat. I wasn’t a fan of PE at school and it took me a while to find my niche in sport (classes!) but now I love the feeling being fit and having a slimmer figure gives me. *** UPDATE I've lost 4kg since I wrote this originally! ***

8. Having friends who are old enough to be your (grand)parents – good mates don’t mind an age gap.

9. Reading (especially paperbacks!) – ebooks are not for me – I’ve read three and much prefer paperbacks. Reading has always been in my life and I’m loving the fact it’s an acceptable and longed for way to spend the evening among a lot of my peers. It wasn’t cool when I was a kid, but it sure is almost a treat now!

10. A full tank of petrol. My car almost feels more alive when it's wangled a fresh £40 out of me!

PictureMy actual slippers
11. Slippers. I've been enlightened. My feet may not feel cold, but I have it on good authority they're like ice blocks when under the duvet. I took their advice and am now a slipper convert! Turns out I just don't feel the cold, but donning a pair of snuggly booties protects your toes from stubbing, if nothing else.

12. A mortgage. A commitment until you retire (or more), significant sums of money changing hands, and real responsibility for property (and potentially, investment). Most people in their early-20's or teen years shrink at the thought. And I did. I was so into traveling and feeling a bit free-spirited, I couldn't imagine 'settling down' until I reached my late 20's. Now I have a mortgage, and a house we love. And if living abroad calls again (which it probably will), the plan is to rent it out and live off the rent. Cool, eh? 

13. Walking. You should have heard the groans when we were dragged out on a walk as kids. Now my husband and I love tramping around somewhere new at the weekends, only improved by our newly acquired dog. Meet Chumi!


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What would be on your 'lame list'?

Lou x

Find me on Facebook
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Born to be a Tourist
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    I'm a writer based in South Wales, with an unhealthy obsession with stationery and baking. I mainly blog for my own sanity, but I'm also working on a novel. Still. 

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