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Activities to help you relax

Article as it appears in the April 2015 edition of Portsmouth View:
April showers bring May flowers so the saying goes. The next two months are the best time of the year for gardeners.
Have you tried gardening? It is a good activity for any age. It can be rigorous or gentle, depending on what you want to do and it gives much pleasure, especially when all the plants are blooming or bearing fruits. It is a relaxing activity that is probably good for your health.

I recently attended a mental health networking meeting at the Central Library. Those who were there agreed that it is important to maintain good mental health much as we maintain our physical health.

Hobbies such as gardening, cooking or singing, may help you relax and give the mind a rest from thinking of stressful things. The long Easter weekend was also a good chance to rest and refresh.

At the university we also have an Easter break for three weeks. While the students are away, members of staff try to likewise take some time off.

I took the opportunity to see friends and their children, taking part in egg hunting and spring walks.  
Many attractions begin opening their doors in April. Places like the National Trust properties or English Heritage begin their busy season in the spring.

I visited Charlecote Park just outside Warwick. There are many places nearer to Southsea such as Portchester Castle that are fun to visit.

As we welcome the warmer weather, take a look around you and start filling your calendar with fun things to do.There are a whole host of talks, craft workshops, theatre shows or music concerts available to attend.

Visit a gallery more often and see beautiful or thought provoking art. Let your mind learn something new. There is a new gallery opening in Old Portsmouth.

At the end of the month, the summer series of events at the university will restart. Professor Shabbar Jaffry who has worked with the Navy is going to tell us about how best to plan staffing for a military operation at his professorial inaugural lecture. 

We have a full programme of free talks, including an exciting one about the Indian cricketer Sachin Tendulkar in June.

The World Music Series launched last month continues with three more concerts. We will hear music from Jewish, Parsi and Sri Lankan’s culture in the free concerts at the Guildhall.

Hope to see you around Southsea!
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Location: Southsea, Portsmouth, UK

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