Mind you take time to get outdoors this autumn

As the nights are drawing in and the weather is taking a turn towards the lower end of the thermometer it is easy to retreat to the warmth and light of the indoor world. However, there is much magic to be discovered and many adventures to be had outdoors if you are well prepared.

Why not try one or more of the ideas below:

1. If you have recently been on one of our art courses, we challenge you to layer up (don’t forget to tuck your top layers into your bottom layers to prevent a chill in your mid-region), grab a flask of a hot beverage of your choice and put your skills into practise! The natural landscape is currently flecked with fiery reds and golds as deciduous leaves begin to change colour. This autumnal display could be captured by watercolour, pastels, photography or any other medium you wish to use.

2. String + leaves = Leaf garlands! Need I say more? Perfect to do with children and will make a lovely decoration for the hallway. Alternatively, if you would rather keep the leaves outside, you could make pictures with the leaves and then take a photo of your masterpiece.

Love the outdoors and get creative!

3. Keen to be active this autumn or just want to tire the children out? Take one of our FSC identification ID guides out on a walk with you and see what you can discover in your local area. We suggest the Mammal Tracks and Signs Chart, the Tree Identification Guide and the Features of the Shropshire Hills. Who said walks were just for the day time? Visit a familiar location that you can safely navigate (even your own garden will suffice) and take along our FSC Night Sky Chart, so that you can explore the stars – don’t forget a torch.

4. Psssst, budding storytellers! Many constellations and most of the planets are linked to Roman or Greek mythology. With a bit of prior research you could impress your friends and family with your stories around a campfire or fire pit in the garden.

5. Need a helping hand into the world outside, enquire about our Growing Confidence events for young people with our Growing Confidence Officer Jenni - j.duffell@field-studies-council.org. Alternatively, find out more about the variety of day events and residentials on offer at https://www.facebook.com/pg/GrowingConfidence/events/. Previous events have included foraging for free food, looking at the wildlife in our centre ponds and a day exploring the shoreline on the North Welsh coast.

Life in our pond - Great Diving Beetle larvae

6. Wildlife lovers, it is time to begin thinking about feeding the birds again. As the fruits are devoured from our hedgerows and trees, it is important to provide an alternative source of sustenance for our feathery friends (please avoid putting out bread, as it has little nutritional value). If last winter is anything to go by, they are going to need it!

Our daily lives can be quite hectic, always fliting from one task to the next and not always pausing to take time to enjoy the moment or to smell the roses as my Grandpa would say.

Mental health is a subject that is increasingly being talked about on the national stage - this year alone 74% of 4,619 people who undertook an online poll for YouGov said that they felt unable to cope or were overwhelmed by stress (Mental Health Foundation, 2018). This stress could be due to expectations that were placed them – business targets, teaching targets, repayment targets – or that they place on themselves – personal targets. However, these different types of stress inducers are relatable to all of us. Whether it is the desire to deliver an outstanding lesson every time we teach, to get straight A* in our A levels, to keep our houses as neat as a show home or to be able to narrate the entire series of Blue Planet in David Attenborough’s voice (I try so hard). Stress is a natural part of all our lives but it shouldn’t seem like it is growing inside of us exponentially to a breaking point.

Today (30^th September) is National GetOutside Day, so we are encouraging all of you to take some time out of your busy lives to connect with your surroundings and put your own wellbeing first…today, tomorrow and whenever you just need to find the natural you again.

 

The dramatic landscape of the Stiperstones, South Shropshire

Sources:

Mental Health Foundation (2018), Mental Health Statistics: Stress, available from: https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/statistics/mental-health-statistics-stress [Accessed on: 26^th September 2018]