Tag: mental health

World Mental Health Day

, by Paul Barclay
This Thursday is World Mental Health Day, a day created to promote conversations about mental health and reduce stigma. This year’s theme is ‘Mental Health Promotion and Suicide Prevention’. Countless studies have shown that spending time outdoors in natural green spaces is vital for our mental health. Our Wild Ways Well project demonstrates this as we explore Cumbernauld’s nature reserves…

Leave no trace

, by Paul Barclay
The Scottish Wildlife Trust’s Seafar Wildlife Reserve is one of my favourite places in Cumbernauld to visit. The Trust is working hard to change the structure of the woodlands, helping native trees and wildflowers to flourish in the new light, open spaces. More native trees and flowers means more insects like butterflies and dragonflies, which in turn leads to more…

Getty Arty in the Outdoors

, by Paul Barclay
There are few things in the world more beautiful than the nature that is all around us. Think about the all the amazing paintings, stories, songs, poems and even films you know that are based around nature. For centuries all sorts of artists have been inspired by the natural world – the exact same natural world that’s all around you. One…

Volunteers in the Willows

, by Cumbernauld LL
  The rain is trickling down the small of our backs, our bodies still warming from the tea. “Twenty five to go!” harks the cry from within the group, in an almost victorious tone. Bending the thin strips of willow down, intertwining them with last week’s work (and the week before’s), it’s fair taking shape. As the hiss of the fire…

Phoenix trees

, by Paul Barclay
Some time ago, while in the Scottish Wildlife Trust’s amazing Cumbernauld Glen reserve, I learned about a new type of tree – not a new species, but one with a new way of living. Walking through the woods I came across a fallen tree. Even knowing the value of dead wood to wildlife I still can’t help feeling sad when…

It’s ok to feel the spring blues

, by Cumbernauld LL
We are passed the equinox, the time when day and night are equal, and the clocks have shifted forward. The mornings feel so much longer and full of birdsong. Our parks and woods are becoming greener and filled with flowers and blossom. This means the dark days of winter firmly over, and as a result we all feel so much…

A journey into Cumbernauld’s wild centre

, by Paul Barclay
Picture an urban scene – is it full of crowds, cars and concrete? It’s no wonder that the hustle of urban life can make people feel disoriented, or even ill. Recently I found myself in Cumbernauld shopping centre feeling like I was having a heart attack. I couldn’t draw breath, was freezing cold and yet soaked in sweat. I felt…

Beating the Winter Blues

, by Paul Barclay
It’s been a cold start to the year but that hasn’t stopped the Wild Ways Well group from getting out exploring Cumbernauld’s wildlife reserves. I suffer badly from Seasonal Affective Disorder, also known as ‘the winter blues’. You might relate to an annual feeling of dread and depression during the dark days of winter. When it’s a struggle to get…

This is not the time to follow resolutions

, by Cumbernauld LL
A nature follower would tell you that the first of January is not a special day as it doesn’t follow a natural rhythm. Likewise, astrologers often advise to set intentions at the spring equinox when the energies are kick-starting again. We can set up New Year intentions if that makes us feel good, BUT we still do not have the…

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