Walking to wellbeing

Last week I sponsored my sister to walk 7 miles for the British Heart Foundation with three work colleagues and a dog. Between them they raised over £300 for the charity. But as an added bonus, they probably raised their mood too. It is a well-known fact that walking is seriously good for your mental health.

By coincidence, there are two back-to-back Awareness Weeks this month trying to get us walking (and exercising generally) more regularly as a way of improving our mental (and physical) health. We're already four days into the first - which is Get Walking Week, 4 - 11 May. A Ramblers' survey found that "a quarter of adults walk for no more than one hour each week." Yet, according to Dr Stuart Biddle, professor of physical activity and health at Loughborough University, there is "long-standing evidence to support a link between walking and mental health benefits.... Walking can elevate a person's mood, lessen feelings of depression and allow a person to think more clearly."

So, what did you do for the bank holiday if you didn’t have to work? Did you walk anywhere? Did it make you feel better? And if so do you plan to continue walking regularly for health, pleasure or both?

Next week is Mental Health Awareness Week 13 - 19 May (OK, you have a day off to rest on 12 May!) Promoted annually by the Mental Health Foundation, this year the theme just happens to be "physical exercise and activity, highlighting the impact they have on mental health and wellbeing."

Brecon and District Contact Association has organised an event on Wed 15 May at The George Hotel in Brecon to coincide with the week. "Walking in circles without going giddy, has the psychiatrist gone mad?" is a talk by Kate Dufton on labyrinth walking.

Ponthafren Association has organised various events throughout the week, including outside games, spinning and Zumba. You can link to a poster here.

For those who find their walking turning into more of a jog (and day-dreaming of crossing the marathon finish line somewhere soon) read Clare Allen on the mental health benefits of running.

But if you’re just starting out and fancy some company on your walks, try these Trail Tempters - free guided walks in various parts of Powys, anything from 1.25 - 7 miles - and chance to chat to other walkers too.

The sun is out, the skies are blue and the hills are green and beckoning... now I just need to persuade Laura that I should be out there doing real research about the benefits of walking to my mental health...

Christmas comes but once a year

One of the things that came out loud and clear in the Participation Report that my colleagues worked on in the Autumn was the value of the voluntary sector resource centres across the county. Particularly at Christmas, when so much else is closed, they play a vital role in supporting people through what can be a difficult time.

I'm based at an office in Ponthafren Association's centre in Newtown, which covers much of North Powys. Even now as I type I can hear staff and volunteers welcoming new members into the Centre, just a handful of days before Christmas Day itself. In the Pine Room they will find a roaring log fire, an open box of chocolates on the table, tea and coffee by the gallonful, but above all, friendly faces and a chance to chat about whatever they want. 

So... as Christmas looms around the corner... I just wanted to add some website links here to those centres around Powys which plug such a big gap in so many people's lives. All year, yes. And Christmas too!

From North to South:

• Ponthafren Association in Newtown and Welshpool. 
• Mid Powys Mind in Llandrindod Wells and surrounding areas.
• Brecon and District Contact Association in Brecon and surrounding areas. Website being updated, but I'm told open every day, 12 - 4.30pm, except New Year's Eve, open 12 - 3pm.
• Ystradgynlais Mind in Ystradgynlais, who are open Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve, 10am - 2pm.

If the opening times are not listed in detail here they are on the organisations' websites - links above.

You can also find links to other organisations that provide help and support on our website here.

Finally, I was looking back through an old Christmas issue of the Powys Mental Health Alliance magazine.... where there is a section called "Tips to stay well at Christmas."  There are loads listed, (and you can find more if you link to this page and look at December newsletters) but here are three of my favourites:

• Use the time to do something practical. You may get a sense of achievement for having accomplished something.
• If you are feeling low, try and explain how you feel to those close to you. Unless you explain how you feel, people will not understand what is wrong. Those close to you will want to help, and a sympathetic listening ear is an important treatment for depression.
• Look after yourself. Put yourself first and treat yourself to something that you will enjoy.

So, a big bag of vegetable crisps - carrot, beetroot and parsnip lightly fried and salted -  for me then!

Take care, and see you in the New Year!

Photos taken at the Ponthafren Centre, 20 December 2012