Take Notice | CALMtown

Reminding yourself to ‘take notice’ can strengthen and broaden awareness. Studies have shown that being aware of what is taking place in the present directly enhances your well-being and savouring ‘the moment’ can help to reaffirm your life priorities.

Heightened awareness also enhances your self-understanding and allows you to make positive choices based on your own values and motivations.

Take some time to enjoy the moment and the environment around you. Here are a few ideas:

Get a plant for your workspace
Have a ‘clear the clutter’ day
Take notice of how your colleagues, friends or family are feeling or acting
Take a different route on your journey to or from work, school or the shops
Visit a new place for lunch

Get back to nature

Getting out and about and exploring your surroundings is one way of taking notice of, and enjoying our environment and what's around you. Taking in the sights and sounds of nature has been shown to benefit your mental health.

Ramblers

The Ramblers website features walking routes graded by difficulty; search the site for a walk near you

RSPB reserves

There are six RSPB reserves within 20 miles of St Ives, fantastic for walks and, of course, bird spotting! Or find tips attracting wildlife to your garden

Walks near St Ives

Walks around St Ives. The landscape may be flat, but with tall skies and wide horizons there's a fantastic feeling of open space

St Ives listed buildings

Have you ever really looked at the buildings in St Ives? This website will give you a fresh look at the town

Forest bathing

For something completely different, why not try the Japanese process of relaxation called 'forest bathing'

Holt Island

Visit our own hidden gem, Holt Island; a beautiful green and tranquil space on the river Great Ouse, right in the town of St Ives

Try mindfulness

The practice of mindfulness is about being present and fully engaged with whatever you're doing, and being aware of your thoughts and feelings without getting caught up in them.

Being able to experience the moment with all your senses is scientifically proven to help increase your brain functions, improve your wellbeing, and ensure more measured

Insight Timer

An extensive collection of free guided meditations, plus talks and live events

NHS Apps library

Apps and online tools to help you manage your health and wellbeing - filter by category 'Mental Health'

And...breathe...

Many meditation practices and yoga classes include a strong focus on deep breathing techniques - with the belief that breath is the foundation of our life force and energy.

Studies have shown that breathing exercises can not only help reduce the effects of stress and anxiety, but can also help our brain to function better. In moments of high stress you may notice your breath becomes shallow and erratic. Many people have become shallow breathers where they inhale through the mouth, hold the breath, and take in less air. With practice over time, you can 'train' your breathing by incorporating breathing exercises into your daily routine.

Breathing exercises can help you relax, because they make your body feel like it does when you are already relaxed. When you breath deeply, it sends a message to your brain to calm down and relax.

Deep breathing increases the supply of oxygen to your brain and stimulates the parasympathetic nervous system, which promotes a state of calmness.

Simple breathing technique

A calming breathing technique for stress, anxiety and panic which takes just a few minutes and can be done anywhere

NHS in Mind

A free platform containing 8 easy to access, short interventions to combat high anxiety, panic and fatigue

Explore more ways to wellbeing