Tabla de contenidos para Issue 14 en Planet Mindful

Like many of us, I have found 2020 to be a real roller coaster of emotions. At times, I’ve felt deeply moved by the coming together of humanity to fight a global virus, and at others, despair at what we’ve done to our planet. Working on this magazine has been a true blessing, as I’ve discovered new ways to take care of my mental health, be kinder to others and further my journey towards a low impact lifestyle. Christmas is traditionally a time of excess, but in this year of change we are presented with the perfect opportunity to start new traditions – ones that help us to slow down, enjoy the little things, and reconnect with nature. Turn to p12 to read our experts’ advice. This issue also includes…

Even those of us who have committed to leaving our consumerist days behind us will most likely find themselves needing to buy gifts and extra food at this time of year. But that doesn’t mean we have to return to Amazon wishlists, fast fashion or big online orders. According to research by Visa, spending just £5 extra per week with a local business can help to ensure they remain open in the long term, following a year of closures caused by Covid-19. Shopping locally also reduces packaging and CO2 emissions from the transportation of goods. Many small shops are offering click-and-collect for those who don’t want to spend time browsing, and food orders can be made by telephone. Food purchased from local zero waste shops, greengrocers and other independents increases…

Christmas has always been a symbol of hope amid darkness, and this year it’s needed more than ever. The nights may still be long and dark, but spring is on the way. Grasping that sense of hope and building on it by helping others can be immensely beneficial within a world where there is so much anxiety, stress, worry and negativity. Craig Allison is looking forward to spending winter days on the cold, windswept Norfolk coast helping to guard the large colonies of seals. “We set up a gin company called Gyre & Gimble and our Callooh Callay gin is made using sea water and botanicals we forage ourselves on the coast. I’m a huge fan of this area and we saw an opportunity to give something back to the…

During the three main days of Christmas, it’s reported that the average person uses 57lb of CO2 in food, 212lb in travel, 481lb in lighting and 683lb in consumables. That’s 5.5 per cent of the average person’s annual carbon footprint. Brits will also go through 108 million rolls of wrapping paper, 189 million batteries, 40 million rolls of sticky tape and nearly 100 million bin liners for throwing away gift packaging. That’s a whole lot of waste! Here are some simple ideas for reducing your impact this year… 1 Choose natural gifts Opt for presents that are natural, such as paraffin-free candles, 100 per cent organic cotton clothes or cushions, homemade soap and skincare products, reusable water bottles, potted plants or flowers, homemade bakes and condiments, bee’s wrap sandwich wraps,…

Whilst Christmas is generally seen as a time for celebration, good cheer and relaxation, for many it can often be a source of great stress. With so many expectations and obligations, our festive ‘break’ does not always go to plan. Along with its many other physical and psychological benefits, yoga can help combat and reduce the symptoms of stress and anxiety. Cultivating a consistent practice can aid in stress reduction but also provide you with the tools you need to handle stress in your everyday life. According to the British Lung Foundation, a common physical symptom of anxiety is a tightness or pain in the chest. As stress and anxiety can easily manifest in this area of the body, it is important to release the tension in the muscles here.…

Kate Humble Following the release of her new book A Year of Living Simply, we chat to the TV presenter on p98 this issue about life on her Welsh farm. Tiffany Francis-Baker Nature writer, illustrator and author of Dark Skies, Tiffany looks at which type of Christmas trees are most ethical on p46. Leah Larwood Leah is a hypnotherapist, lucid dream coach and wellbeing writer. Learn how to love winter and combat SAD with her article on p22. Bernadette Russell Bernadette Russell is a writer, performer, activist and author of new book How to be Hopeful. Take her kindness challenge on p42 this issue. Lianna Champ Lianna is author of How to Grieve Like A Champ and has 40 years’ experience in grief counselling. Read her feature on coping with…

1 Celebrate simplicity “COVID-19 has made us all realise that life is unpredictable and in fact, the most important things – that make us feel alive and connected – are not represented by material belongings. Building a Christmas celebration focused on joy and simplicity is, for me, the way to a slower-paced Christmas. We should be devoted to slowing down, reflecting and connecting with ourselves and others from a space of authentic love and responsibility.” 2 Be open about money “If you’re feeling the financial pressures of Christmas, it’s important to have an open and honest conversation with your family and friends about this. Make sure they understand your situation, and how it’s affecting your mental health. Asking for support can help to alleviate some of the stress and pressure…

As we tentatively tip-toe towards midwinter, now more than ever is an important time to keep a check on our mental health. It’s natural for many of us to feel impacted by the shorter days and for our mood to change a little, so at what point does winter impact our wellbeing and what can you do to make the most of this season? Although some relish in the feeling of hibernation and the hygge aspects of cosying up with a good podcast and a hot cacao, others may feel the weight of winter on their mental health. Experts don’t fully understand what causes Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), but the reduced amount of light in the winter is a key factor. If left untreated, the winter blues may indeed edge…

If you become used to living with stress you won’t recognise it for what it is. It feels normal, but it isn’t. Living with stress means constant activation of the stress hormones, which in turn means that levels of cortisol become significantly elevated in the body. Elevated levels of stress hormones can lead you to feeling hyper or anxious, moody or depressed. Cortisol affects the sleep-wake cycle, so too much means the brain will stop you either falling asleep or staying asleep, and can make you feel as if your brain is more alive after 9 or 10pm. Other hormones can also be affected – including testosterone, oestrogen and progesterone. An imbalance of these can cause a variety of symptoms, including a feeling that your brain is ‘full up’ or…

Becoming an eco-warrior can be hard, especially if you feel as though you’re swimming against a tide of negativity. It might seem as though people around you don’t care and talking about sustainability can be difficult. However, keep strong as it’s very much worth having conversations on the topic, as the more the climate emergency is discussed, the more it becomes part of people’s everyday concerns and, with hope, eventually their beliefs will start to change. Lead by example Try starting off by talking with friends and family about the efforts you are making in your own life. If you can demonstrate your passion and show them how easy some small changes can be, you could be the inspiration they need to make a positive change. Be mindful about how…

Watercolour Christmas cards Personalised cards for any occasion? Not a problem if you make them yourself. It’s not only fun, but also makes for very special cards. Give it a go, even if you don’t think you have any particular artistic ability. You will need • Fine pencil• Eraser• A5 watercolour paper• Glass of water• Small paintbrushes• Watercolours in white and shades of green• Mixing palette• Fine dark green or black felt tip pen 1 Sketch out a Christmas tree on the watercolour paper using a fine pencil. Use a favourite photo as inspiration. Next, carefully dampen the surface you want to paint on with a little water. Then dip your paintbrush into the water, followed by your watercolours to mix the shade of green you want on your palette.…

After an unsettled year, the arrival of a dark, cold winter might not feel particularly welcome. Human instinct makes us want to batten down the hatches and retreat into the sanctuary of home and, especially now, the need to turn our living space into a warm and welcoming retreat is paramount. “As cliché as it sounds, home is where the heart is and it’s where you feel safe and grounded to express your inner world,” says Emily Wysock-Wright, coach at House of Wisdom (houseofwisdomstudio.com). “It’s an extension of you, so keeping this space for yourself and to cleanse the energies of the external world in order for you to relax and recharge is very important.” Emily goes on to explain: “At this time of year in particular, knowing you have…

ECO CORK YOGA COLLECTION At 4mm thick, the earth-friendly Eco Cork yoga mat offers a smooth practice surface. with excellent cushioning. Cork bark is naturally anti-bacterial and the cork oak is the only tree that regenerates its bark once it’s been harvested, making cork a renewable source. £65 yogamatters.com WINTER HARE JIGSAW PUZZLE This beautiful puzzle is made in Wiltshire using wood from sustainable sources and packaged with recycled materials. Designed to last, this is a lovely gift that will encourage mindful moments of calm for years to come. £29.95 wentworthpuzzles.com BRONZE TEALIGHT HOUSE Home is where the heart is, and this cute little tealight holder is perfect for adding a touch of hygge to a lounge or dining room this winter – simply add a cinnamon candle to spread…

Tell us a lit tle about your childhood… I grew up in 1970s Berkshire next to a farm – we had no internet, no 24/7 TV and you made your own fun. We climbed trees, built camps, rode bikes and watched wildlife. Looking back, you could say it was a naïve upbringing, but my parents gave me a good sense of priorities. Back then, we weren’t wasteful, and we were more sensitive towards the environment. Today, no one knows how to get back on track – we’ve been channelled to live a capitalist life and if you question it, you’re considered a hippy. You moved to Wales from London 13 years ago. What’s life like now? My partner and I moved to a smallholding in Wales, with four acres of…

“A hobby, like a habit, makes you forget all the important things in life.”MARGOK AUFMAN A year at home 2020 has bought many changes to our lives, one of the most significant of which being the fact that our homes have been transformed from a place to escape from the outside world into our place of work, our gym and somewhere to socialise – albeit online. Many of us have discovered new ways to keep our minds occupied whilst stuck at home, and new research by diys.com has looked into which hobbies are most beneficial for us. Inducing a heartrate of 65 beats per minute, knitting was voted by 93 per cent of Brits as the most relaxing hobby. This was followed by blogging, calligraphy, and painting – all of…

“Dry out slices of orange and apple in the oven. The scent will be amazing” Gift wrap is hugely wasteful – according to wragwrap.com, 50,000 trees are cut down each year for Christmas wrapping paper and last year 83sq km of wrapping paper ended up in UK rubbish bins. Recycling can be problematic – fibres and metallic coatings in many wrappings cause problems and things like glitter add to the plastic pollution in our soil and waterways. This year, why not try out a few different ideas when wrapping your gifts? Think outside the box Who said gifts have to be wrapped in paper? The Japanese have been using ‘Furoshiki’ – a fabric wrapping technique – for 1,200 years. Mixing and matching supplies you have on hand and repurposing them…

Squash nut roast This delicious centrepiece can be made as a vegan or vegetarian dish – the perfect planet-friendly alternative to turkey. Serves 6–8 Preparation 15 minutes Cooking time 1 hour, 5 minutes • 200g butternut squash, peeled and roughly chopped• 1 tbsp vegetable oil• 1 onion, finely chopped• 3 garlic cloves, finely chopped• 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar• 1 tsp yeast extract• 280g chopped mixed nuts• 90g dried breadcrumbs• 2 tsp dried mixed herbs• 100g vegan or vegetarian Cheddar cheese, grated• 40g dried cranberries• sea salt and ground black pepper 1 Preheat the oven to 180°C/Gas Mark 4 and grease a 900g loaf tin. 2 Bring a saucepan of water to a boil and cook the butternut squash for 15 minutes, or until very tender. Drain, rinse and mash with a fork.…

“I’ve lived in our Belfast house for four years now, with my husband and our cat. I’ve been housebound for the past 11 years due to my disabilities, so it’s essential that my home is somewhere beautiful, relaxing and somewhere I like spending time, otherwise I would have lost my mind! As someone who is prone to depression and anxiety, I know that what we put in front of our eyes really matters. Have you ever walked into a room and your feelings and mood change entirely? Our subconscious is incredibly powerful in the way most people live their lives and many homes are set up to work against us. As humans, we rarely consider our own automatic behaviours when we decorate a room or arrange furniture, but I decorate…

1 THE LODGE AT EDENHALL CUMBRIA Fall asleep to the rushing sound of the river at The Lodge, a traditional log cabin perched on the banks of the River Eamont in Cumbria. You’re on land belonging to the sprawling Edenhall Estate here, but you’ll feel like you’re totally lost in the woods – you’re unlikely to see another soul as you soak in the hot tub or catch fish a few steps from the cabin’s porch. If you can bear to leave the lodge to go exploring, the Lake District’s glorious landscapes are easy to access. From £280 per night canopyandstars.co.uk 2 THE PUNCH TREE SCOTLAND Tiny cabins don’t come much cuter than The Punch Tree, a mini lodge sleeping two set in the grounds of what was once Mauldslie…