A Day in Nature: Time for You at Bluebell Wood
In a world full of constant demands, many of us long for space to breathe, reflect, and hear ourselves again. We don’t always need answers, but we do need time to listen. If that feels true for you, you might be drawn to a quiet day of nature-based reflection with me at Bluebell Wood. This […]
The Rewards of Solitude: A Deeper Reflection
I want to return to the topic of aloneness which I covered in this article. This was prompted through an article by James Marriott in todays Times Newspaper and one from The Atlantic. John O’Donohue’s words continue to guide us: “Each one of us is alone in the world. It takes great courage to meet […]
Rethinking Blue Zones
What the Science Really Tells Us About Healthy Ageing For nearly two decades, the concept of Blue Zones has captured the imagination of millions. These regions – Sardinia in Italy, Okinawa in Japan, Nicoya in Costa Rica, Icaria in Greece, and Loma Linda in California – were celebrated as places where people live remarkably long […]
The Art of Rest: Redefining Recovery in Active Later Life
Four weeks ago, I experienced a significant fall that left me with a bruised forehead and two black eyes. Rather than seeking immediate medical attention, I chose to start my journey (bus-train-plane), for a once-in-a-lifetime wildlife tracking course in South Africa. My concern was that I’d be in A&E, they would send me home and […]
Secrets to staying relatively healthy at age 70?
Embracing Functional Fitness As we age, the importance of maintaining good health for older people becomes increasingly apparent. It’s not just about living longer; it’s about living well. Achieving a healthy lifestyle involves not only physical fitness but also mental and emotional well-being. This article explores various aspects of health, fitness, and lifestyle choices that […]
Time in Nature – Singing with Nightingales
Owning a wood, I enjoy spending quiet time alone with the trees; listening to the sounds of birds and other wildlife. However, I’ve never heard musicians playing along to bird song. I found out about an event Singing with Nightingales, last year on a visit to a RSPB Nature reserve, just a few miles from our […]
I could live to 100
Or 93 according to the Living to 100 web site It’s a really interesting assessment to do, and better if you can add accurate blood pressure and cholesterol readings. You also get a detailed report for how to add years with suggestions. For a free assessment I highly recommend it. It tells me I should […]
We need to show self compassion
Hi, it’s Dr. Denise Taylor from my wood and today I want to talk to you about self-compassion and it’s something that I’m personally not very good at. I’m a lot better helping other people than showing it to myself. I remember one time working with somebody, helping me address some issues in my life […]
The impact of Covid
I was asked for my views on this article: The impact of COVID-19 on thinking about and planning for retirement. It was written in October, 2021 and 18 months on things may have changed. Back then there was plenty of things I still avoided, such as live gigs with crowds, but I’m happy to attend […]
How retirement can affect self-esteem
How retirement can affect self-esteem This time I wanted to share a small aspect of my research. Retirement is not a single event, but a process over time. It also means that we begin to be affected by this event as we prepare and then transition to retirement. For most older people retirement is not […]