An Almanac For Anxiety - In Search Of A Calmer Mind

Episode

Title

First
Broadcast

Repeated

Comments

Fire

20230704

20231009 (R4)
20251229 (R4)

In Episode 1 - Fire - we visit an overnight camp on the banks of the River Spey near Aviemore in the Scottish Highlands run by the charity Fire and Peace. According to the participants, - who have a range of mental ill health and addiction issues - the experience of spending time around the fire in nature is transformative when it comes to promoting feelings of connection and wellbeing. We also hear new research which shows how being around a campfire can be calming.

[LISTEN NOW]

Wood

20230711

20231010 (R4)
20251230 (R4)

In Episode 2 - Wood - we visit the Woodwork for Wellbeing Workshop in Bethnal Green, London where every Tuesday people with mental health issues spend time making things with wood. They find it to be very therapeutic and fun. And Professor Miles Richardson of the University of Derby shares research from Japan which shows that simply touching wood is calming.

[LISTEN NOW]

Water

20230718

20231011 (R4)
20251231 (R4)

In Episode 3 - Water - we join a group of socially prescribed outdoor swimmers on Teignmouth Beach in Devon who find joy in immersing themselves in cold water. We also hear why spending time around blue spaces is so effective at promoting a sense of calm from Dr Catherine Kelly of the University of Brighton.

Mixed by Ron McCaskill and Malcolm Torrie

[LISTEN NOW]

Air

20230725

20231012 (R4)
20260101 (R4)

In Episode 4 - Air - we visit an infant school in Nottingham where young children regularly learn breathing techniques to reduce stress and anxiety. We also hear about research from Italy showing how slowing our breathing impacts positively on brain activity. Plus breath coach and founder of School Breathe, Aimee Hartley, shares her experience of learning to breathe well.

Mixed by Ron McCaskill and Malcolm Torrie

[LISTEN NOW]

Earth

20230801

20231013 (R4)
20260102 (R4)

In Episode 5 - Earth - we visit the Horticultural Therapy Trust allotment in Plymouth and discover how gardening can be soothing for people with severe mental illnesses. We also hear about how putting our hands in the earth can be good for our gut microbiome and potentially our mental health.

Mixed by Ron McCaskill and Malcolm Torrie

[LISTEN NOW]

Episodes

Episode	Title	First Broadcast	Repeated	Comments
01	Fire	20230704	20231009 (R4) 20251229 (R4)	In Episode 1 - Fire - we visit an overnight camp on the banks of the River Spey near Aviemore in the Scottish Highlands run by the charity Fire and Peace. According to the participants, - who have a range of mental ill health and addiction issues - the experience of spending time around the fire in nature is transformative when it comes to promoting feelings of connection and wellbeing. We also hear new research which shows how being around a campfire can be calming. [LISTEN NOW]
02	Wood	20230711	20231010 (R4) 20251230 (R4)	In Episode 2 - Wood - we visit the Woodwork for Wellbeing Workshop in Bethnal Green, London where every Tuesday people with mental health issues spend time making things with wood. They find it to be very therapeutic and fun. And Professor Miles Richardson of the University of Derby shares research from Japan which shows that simply touching wood is calming. [LISTEN NOW]
03	Water	20230718	20231011 (R4) 20251231 (R4)	In Episode 3 - Water - we join a group of socially prescribed outdoor swimmers on Teignmouth Beach in Devon who find joy in immersing themselves in cold water. We also hear why spending time around blue spaces is so effective at promoting a sense of calm from Dr Catherine Kelly of the University of Brighton. Mixed by Ron McCaskill and Malcolm Torrie [LISTEN NOW]
04	Air	20230725	20231012 (R4) 20260101 (R4)	In Episode 4 - Air - we visit an infant school in Nottingham where young children regularly learn breathing techniques to reduce stress and anxiety. We also hear about research from Italy showing how slowing our breathing impacts positively on brain activity. Plus breath coach and founder of School Breathe, Aimee Hartley, shares her experience of learning to breathe well. Mixed by Ron McCaskill and Malcolm Torrie [LISTEN NOW]
05	Earth	20230801	20231013 (R4) 20260102 (R4)	In Episode 5 - Earth - we visit the Horticultural Therapy Trust allotment in Plymouth and discover how gardening can be soothing for people with severe mental illnesses. We also hear about how putting our hands in the earth can be good for our gut microbiome and potentially our mental health. Mixed by Ron McCaskill and Malcolm Torrie [LISTEN NOW]