mental health Archives - Page 2 of 4 - Cumbernauld Living Landscape

World Mental Health Day

9th October 2019, 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…

General, Wild Ways Well

Leave no trace

31st July 2019, 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…

Volunteering, Wildlife reserves, Wild Ways Well

Getty Arty in the Outdoors

10th July 2019, 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…

Wildlife reserves, Wild Ways Well

Volunteers in the Willows

19th June 2019, 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…

Volunteering, Wild Ways Well

Phoenix trees

12th June 2019, 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…

General, Wildlife reserves, Wild Ways Well

As Above Better Below

1st May 2019, by Paul Barclay

The sound of the motorway thunders in my ears and I imagine the cars moving up and down it. What are all those people thinking about as they drive past? Are they marvelling at the road itself, this miracle of human engineering? Oh the wonders above, but what about the wonders below? I chuckle as I move through the woods,…

Species and habitats, Guest blog, Volunteering, Inspirational, Wild Ways Well

It’s ok to feel the spring blues

3rd April 2019, 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…

Creating Natural Connections, Wild Ways Well

A journey into Cumbernauld’s wild centre

20th March 2019, 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…

Wildlife reserves, Wild Ways Well

Beating the Winter Blues

13th February 2019, 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…

Volunteering, Wildlife reserves, Wild Ways Well

This is not the time to follow resolutions

16th January 2019, 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…

Wild Ways Well, General

Tag: mental health