OCTOBER 2024 EDITION

October, with its turning leaves, pumpkins and hearty food, is a time to get cosy and light candles as the nights draw in. For many of us, the colder days and chilly evenings pose a challenge when it comes to finding the motivation to exercise outdoors. By peeling ourselves off the sofa and braving the elements, we can really reap the rewards of maintaining a healthy body and mind. Did you know, for example, that scientists believe that being outside on a rainy day can actually make us happier and healthier? Their research has shown that when rain splashes onto the ground, some of the molecules that make up the air pick up an electron and become negatively charged ions and, when inhaled, these can relieve stress and boost our energy levels.

10th October marks World Mental Health Day, an opportunity to raise awareness of mental health and the ways we can support positive change. I’ve long believed in the benefits of getting outdoors and know first hand that engaging with the natural world can lead to improved mental and physical health. With this in mind, I thought I’d share my top tips for maximising exposure to nature and the outdoors:

Start your day with nature

I start most days with a morning walk which really sets me up for the day. Walking is the perfect exercise as it improves overall health, strengthens bones, improves blood circulation, reduces body fat and improves sleep. Walking in the morning also helps to boost alertness and creativity. Over the summer, I visited the idyllic island of Vis and by swimming in the sea and walking each day I felt incredibly connected to nature.

Bring the outside in

Selection of plants and pots from Happy Houseplants

It is sometimes said that we have entered the urban century, with two thirds of people projected to be living in cities by 2050. To maintain access to the health benefits of nature, it will become increasingly important to bring elements of the natural world into our own indoor spaces. Nature can be a great healer: scientific studies conducted in hospitals showed that exposure to plants increased pain tolerance and improved recovery times amongst patients!

As well as adding plants to the rooms in my home, I furnish them with accessories made from earthy textures such as wood and stone, and soft furnishings that consist of natural fibres. I also diffuse oils that capture the scents of the outdoors – pine and cypress are particularly lovely at this time of year, and geranium oil is fantastic at reducing feelings of sadness and anxiety whilst boosting cognitive function and overall wellbeing.

Connect with nature mindfully

Adopting eco-friendly habits that benefit the environment is another way to connect with nature. Composting, recycling and reducing plastic use are small steps that can have a big impact on the health of our planet.

Play nature soundscapes while you work or relax

Listen to nature sounds and fall in love with the earth. Earth.fm is a non-profit, free repository of 900+ pure, immersive natural soundscapes from around the world. As well as soothing frazzled minds, these soundscapes capture the absolute wonder of our natural environment.

Engage in hobbies that take you outside

Hiking, photography and gardening are all good options. As well as opening the door to creativity, doing activities you love can be a brilliant way of developing a skill whilst keeping active, topping up your vitamin D levels and relieving feelings of stress and anxiety. Finding an activity that you really enjoy will be the key to sticking with your hobby...even when the skies are cold and grey!

By embracing these simple tips, you'll hopefully find yourself feeling more connected, grounded and rejuvenated, no matter where you live or how busy your schedule may be.

Reflections from the Sound Alchemy Day Retreat 2024

One of my September highlights was being part of the Sound Alchemy Day Retreat. Sharing my knowledge of essential oils and balm formulations with such a lovely and engaged group of women was so enjoyable. A heart-centred alchemy was woven throughout the whole day, from the opening yoga and EFT tapping to the soulful singing and immersive sound bath experience, all delivered by a group of inspirational therapists and teachers – you can find out more about them on the Sound Alchemy website.

We received such lovely feedback, with attendees reporting that they felt recharged, nurtured and inspired at the end of the day:

‘I have so much I want to say but I still can’t find the words, so for now thank you…I would love to join you again next year’

‘Thank you so much for the retreat experience. I was blown away’

‘I really needed the day retreat and I felt nourished, restored and loved’

We are hoping to run another retreat next Autumn. I’ll share more details in the coming months.

This month

I've been making: homemade trail mix

When asked for easy, nutritious snack ideas, my trail mix recipe is the one that always springs to mind. It takes minutes to prepare and I usually make a big batch to decant into glassine pouches when needed (as well as holding a good portion size, the pouches are 100% recyclable and biodegradable). The trail mix is perfect for refuelling whilst out and about, and just the thing for school rucksacks.

The mix includes a good balance of healthy fats, protein, fibre and micronutrients. There is evidence that the nutrients and antioxidants in cocoa – particularly flavanols and polyphenols – may help boost beneficial gut bacteria, balance insulin production, improve cardiovascular health, cholesterol levels, mood, and brain function.

Ingredients for my favourite mix

150g nuts (pecan, cashew, almond, hazelnut, walnut, peanut, macadamia, pistachio)

100g seeds (pumpkin, sunflower, linseed, hemp)

100g unsweetened dried fruit (blueberry, cranberry, cherry, mango, coconut)

75g dark chocolate (I use 70-80% cocoa as the dried fruit also provides sweetness) *

¼ tsp spices (cinnamon, nutmeg, chilli, salt) *

*optional

The ratios of these ingredients can be tweaked to suit your own tastes, but I like to use the following:

Nuts: 50g pecans, 50g hazelnuts, 50g cashews

Seeds (100g): I use a pre-packed mix from Lidl which contains pumpkin, sunflower, golden linseed and hemp seeds

Unsweetened Dried Fruit: 50g cranberries, 50g blueberries

Dark Chocolate: 75g 80% cocoa

Spices: ¼ tsp cinnamon

Method

Mix all the ingredients together in a large bowl before decanting into air-tight storage jars.

My daughters love preparing their own tropical mix which uses the same ratios as above but without the chocolate and spices. They also add almonds in the place of hazelnuts, and supplement the dried fruit mix with dried coconut and mango.

Dates for the diary

October pop-up at The Curated Store

The Curated Store is a design led pop-up shop that showcases a monthly rotation of small independent businesses. We’re delighted to have been chosen to run another Cotswold Remedies stand this month. It's great to be able to have a physical space to showcase what we offer, so please come along and say hi! To discover more, visit The Curated Store website.

I look forward to writing to you again next month. November is a busy time for us in the workshop and in the next edition I'll share with you some of our gorgeous Cotswold Remedies gift ideas, along with my pick of sustainable products from other small brands. Until then, have a lovely time over the coming weeks.