Mindfulness, wellness or self care. Whatever you want to call it, looking after our mental health, as well as our physical health, is finally being recognised as important.
But for me, the idea of 'self care' often just provides another stick for me to beat myself with.
I feel guilty for spending an hour on Instagram when reading a book would 'be better for me'.
I agonise and stress over things I have little control over, and then feel guilty that I can't just let things go.
I end up so conscious of the time I'm not taking for myself, that scheduling in time to 'be mindful' feels like a chore in itself.
So when an email popped into my inbox about Fresh Air Fridays, an initiative which aims to teach people to embrace 'total wellbeing', I was keen to try it out...
"Busy? Need some breathing space? Stuck and not sure what’s next for you? Feeling a bit low and don’t really know why? Keen to create the best life you can? Want to improve your wellbeing? Love being outside?"
Those are the questions Fresh Air Fridays ask on its website - and they're questions I'm sure many would answer 'yes' to.
The company has been running sessions for organisations for several years, helping employers improve staff000000 mental wellbeing. After a pilot programme in Cardiff for individuals, the organisation is now holding a 12-week programme in Bristol for the first time.
I went to a taster session at Brandon Hill park, where the next 12-week programme will start on September 11.
I was running late and had to all but run up Park Street, so I was feeling flustered and a little apprehensive on arrival.
The session was led by Saranne and Mo, who made me feel instantly comfortable from the moment I arrived.
There's something about being in nature which I have always found calming, and this session made me feel instantly grateful for Brandon Park. Tucked away not far from the city centre, it's easy to miss but it's quiet, peaceful and has stunning views of the city.
We spent the first part of the session walking around, with Mo and Saranne guiding us on how to tune into our senses.
By focusing on what we could see, smell, hear, or touch, we were teaching ourselves how to be present in the moment - thinking of the squirrel passing us, the different coloured leaves, or the crunch of an acorn under foot. My to-do list back at work quickly faded into the background.
Throughout the hour-long session, we explored the park and paused to speak about what helped us thrive as individuals, what we needed to be our best. Whether that was time alone, or being with people, time to relax, or keeping busy.
The key think I took from the session was there is no 'one size fits all' approach. My version of self care doesn't need to be an Instagram-worthy night in with hot chocolate, a face mask and a good book. It doesn't have to be spending hours in a hot bubble bath. It can be as simple as a walk in the park.
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