‘Tis the season to be jolly?

‘Tis the Season to be jolly? for 19 December 2018

Paul Barclay, Community Networks Officer, Cumbernauld Living Landscape

At this time of year the message that’s beamed into our homes and bombards us from every advertising channel is to smile, laugh, and be happy.

But it’s often not that easy. For many people Christmas can be a tough time. The picture in the media often doesn’t match reality, and very few people’s lives could be as contented and serene calm as portrayed in the adverts.

Trying to match your reality to that being portrayed can cause anxiety, upset and depression.

At Cumbernauld Living Landscape’s Wild Ways Well project we follow the Five Ways Well. Be Active, Connect, Keep Learning, Take Notice, Give. We take these activities outdoors and show how they help everyone feel better about life.

Our guided sessions will restart in January and run weekly throughout the year and we’d love you to join us, but for the moment there’s nothing stopping anyone from experiencing these effects yourself.

The first step is simple – get outside!

Be Active and go for a walk, no matter where you are in Cumbernauld you’re in walking distance of a woodland or park, go discover it.

Try to clear your mind of worry and upset, Take Notice of the nature around you. Watch the birds, touch a tree, enjoy the sensations of sunlight and cold air on your skin.

The more you do this the more you’ll see and the more chances you’ll have to Keep Learning about the nature around you – and to Connect with it, to understand how you fit into this amazing world.

The last of the five actions is Give – and Christmas is all about giving! But one of the best presents you can give this year is to yourself. Give yourself permission to spend some time on you.

Have a happy Christmas.

Paul Barclay

Community Networks Officer