Books

All the self helps books you need, rolled into one! A wonderful companion for a 12 month journey to teach you tools for a richer, more fulfilling life and gently move you in the direction of your dreams. A short activity for each day of the year and a treasure of exercises, ideas, challenges and fun. I'm very proud to say that Jane has become a good friend of mine and this was one of the first things that helped me on my way to my "better life at 50!" Thank you Jane. xxx

https://janematthews.com/

The Mind Management programme to help you become confident, happy and healthier, introducing you to your chimp, managing your emotions and thoughts, and helping you become the person you would like to be. I really like this book as it gave me Judy, who I love, and gradually helped me understand myself better!!

This book was posted to me during my worst days by my oldest and dearest friend. Mindfulness is a simple, yet powerful way of paying attention to our most difficult emotions and life experiences and can help break the cycle of chronic unhappiness. Jon Kabat-Zinn gently narrates the CD of guided meditations, making this a complete package for anyone seeking to regain a sense of hope and well-being. I listened to it so much that I can still hear his voice as he talks about "the breath, moment by moment" - Wonderful!! Thank you Kerry xxx

The 6-minute diary's goal is to make you happier and more fulfilled by providing the simplest of methods. It takes just 3 minutes first thing in the morning and 3 minutes last thing at night. You write down what you are grateful for, how you will make today better and moments of happiness you have experienced during the day. My lovely cousin gave me this diary and I am in my first month, but already I am loving it!! Thank you Charlotte xxx

"If we are willing to do the  mental work, almost anything can be healed" - Louise Hay explains how limiting beliefs and ideas are often the cause of illness, and shows how you can change your thinking and improve the quality of your life - beautifully illustrated! I listened to Louise Hay's positive affirmations for months on end and it was the start of finally feeling that 'I was ok'!

Winston Churchill gave the name ‘black dog‘ to his depression. Moving and thoughtful, uplifting and often amusing, these wonderfully illustrated books are about having a black dog (depression) and for people living with someone who has a black dog. They are written in a way that can by easily understood and were bought as a birthday present and really helped me to understand my depression in a simple way.

Understanding the Moon's magical eight phases helps to improve every aspect of your life. You will know what to expect in the days ahead, how to time important events in your life and to use the Moon as a self-care guide and planner! I have always loved the Moon and am interested in learning more about how it can help us. 

www.serenityretreat.co.uk

A small independent holiday company for solo travellers interested in self-reflection and meditation which is literally 'right on the beach' in a very magical part of Greece. This is "my go to place" in meditation if it ever says to take yourself to somewhere you love. They offer Jane Matthew's 'Living Softly' and 'How to heal your life' courses.. Truly amazing - I loved every minute of it and can't wait to go back! Thank you Kim Bennett for this amazing retreat xxx

www.whitespacestudio.co.uk

I was a member of the Whitespace Studio in Stony Stratford and loved it! It offers Yoga, Mindfulness, Meditation and Pilates and has a wonderful calming atmosphere. It really helped me on my own personal yoga-journey and I learnt a lot about yoga from all the wonderful teachers there.

www.fitmk.com

 FitMK is the premier outdoor fitness company in Milton Keynes and has exclusive access to Willen Lake, so not only do you get a high intensity workout but also a view that is second to none! I did this for a while years ago and absolutely loved it! You meet great people, who are all really encouraging, and it is a very different way to get fit - expect to get dirty and muddy though !! 

www.climbyourmountain.org

And this is where it all started - learning to climb my own personal mountain. A then local Milton Keynes charity, I started with walks in the Peak District, climbed Snowdon, Ben Nevis and Scafell Pike in the UK and ended up climbing Kilimanjaro. (I feel a blog coming on)! Charlie founded the charity after climbing his own personal mountain and helped people suffering from depression by using physical exercise. This is where I also started to run - so I owe a great deal to Charlie and have made lifelong friends along the way. Thank you Charlie xxx

 www.yoga-christine.com

I first did Christine's yoga classes at Whitespace and loved her sessions instantly. Christine has an amazing shop and makes lush lavender eye pillows, jewellery and essential oils. I have them all. I am a member of Christine's "The Practice" which is a great community. Christine is also a sports therapist and has really helped me with my lower back. She's just awesome!!

www.loubiecorepilates.com

Lou Lou is a wonderful Pilates teacher, having started doing Pilates herself when she needed it for chronic back pain. I have covered some of Lou's classes and she has a lovely "crew"

I now call this JoGa-lates!!

www.kellyhopkinsonyoga.co.uk

I did a couple of Kelly's classes at Whitespace but really found her in Lockdown. Kelly has created an amazing community which includes yoga, cold water swimming and breath work, which has really helped with my lower back and anxiety. Kelly also does wonderful retreats in Snowdonia. What's not to love.

https://lonewolfvision.com

I met Stephen at my yoga teacher training in India. What a guy he is and doesn't he have a story! Stephen is super fit and has made meditation and yoga cool for men, He also offers online meditation courses and yoga along with running and HIT sessions. 

This is my best friend’s husband, the fantastic artist Peter Kavanagh, who lives in Norfolk and draws these amazing Cartoon Caricature Portraits. Pete has designed my business cards which I love.

You can find out more about Peter by visiting www.peterkavanagh.co.uk/caricature-portraits.html

They make a wonderful present - they are amazing!!

A magazine about well-being, mindfulness, creativity, escaping and making time for ourselves. Lots of short, beautifully illustrated features and I've managed to subscribe using my Tesco Clubcard points - great stuff!!

Take a Deep Breath! The Daily Calm App is a great introduction to meditation as it has a 10 minute guided meditation each day, which always includes a little nugget of niceness and a daily quote! There are bedtime stories you can listen to, lovely music and even a section for children and young adults! Meditation topics include - 7 days of calm; 7 days of happiness; anxiety release; deep sleep and many more. There's even a "Winnie the Pooh" series - see my blog!! 

Fully qualified, Steph Woolhead provides sports and deep tissue massage to help alleviate aches and pains, aid sporting performance and help prevent injuries. You can find Steph on FaceBook at SLW Sports Massage Ltd and I can totally recommend her!