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It’s time to SPRING into actionThere’s something truly wonderful about spring. After the cold, gloomy days of winter, seeing the tentative re-emergence of the sun and the first signs of nature bursting into life, you can’t help but feel hope, optimism and a renewed sense of energy.

Perhaps we’re just following our inherent instincts, but spring always feels like a natural time to pause, take stock and then get ready for the year ahead.

For some, that new start may be as simple as preparing seeds for summer bedding, planning holidays or having a good spring clean. For others it might mean something more significant like making changes to their lifestyle, increasing their knowledge or putting their relationships into sharper focus.

So with that in mind, in this issue of Perspective we’re looking at lifelong learning and the physical and mental benefits associated with keeping your brain active, as well as discussing the importance of investing time in relationships.

Perspective

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Welcome to the spring Perspective! In this issue we look at easy ways to feel happy from enjoying your favourite song to indulging in a little bit of self-congratulation. We also take a peek at some of the more unusual places you can visit in the UK this year. Look out for the next issue in the autumn!

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If you’ve ever sung in a choir or played an instrument with a group of people, you’ll already know that music has the ability to lift your spirits. Now it seems, more people are catching onto the link between music and wellbeing.

With universal appeal, music can unite people of all ages and from different backgrounds and is already known to have a profound impact on a person’s mindset. A large amount of scientific evidence now exists to prove even greater benefits.

This is largely thanks to many studies that have sought to identify how music therapy can be used to manage numerous medical conditions including autism, dementia, depression, infant development and sleep quality. It has also been found that as well as having a positive impact on the brain, respiratory function can also be improved through singing.

Is music the best

Forging and maintaining strong and lasting relationships takes commitment, time and energy. It’s clear that many of us would love to spend more time with our friends and family but with such busy, hectic lives, it’s not always that easy to achieve.

Are you investing enough time in your relationships?

If you’d like to find out more about encouraging participation in music as a means to enhancing personal and community wellbeing, visit makingmusic.org.uk

These simple steps can help you achieve a happier and healthier you – put them to the test and judge the benefits for yourself:

Connect – think about the most important people in your personal life (it’s probably only five or so). What investment of time do you need to make for them to be the meaningful relationships you really want?

Care – make time to show that you care about family, friends, colleagues and neighbours. Caring is about creating value for the other person; it could be finding a way to help them or just doing something as simple as listening.

Give – use your time or your experience to benefit the people around you and you will gain from it too. A recent study found that people with strong social relationships are 50% less likely to die prematurely. Volunteer in your community and not only will it boost your wellbeing, it will broaden your social network too.

Support – the support offered by a caring friend can provide a buffer against the effects of stress. In a study of over 100 people, researchers found that people who completed a stressful task experienced a faster recovery when they were reminded of people they had strong relationships with. On the other hand, those who were reminded of stressful relationships experienced even more stress and higher blood pressure.

Remember, it's never too late to build new friendships or reconnect with old friends. Find a way to invest in your relationships and you can look forward to a brighter outlook for years to come.

What is music therapy?

Music therapy is an established health profession in which music is used within a therapeutic relationship to address physical, emotional, cognitive, and social needs of individuals.

One thing is certain; there is compelling evidence that strong relationships contribute to a long, healthy and happy life. Conversely, the health risks from being alone or isolated are comparable to the risks associated with cigarette smoking, blood pressure, and obesity.

When the impact of relationships on our happiness and wellbeing is so profound, perhaps we should be prepared to invest in them more and make building strong relationships our top priority.

edicine?In light of this research, perhaps it’s no surprise that we’re seeing music groups springing up to benefit everyone from Alzheimer patients to people with respiratory problems.

With escalating costs and an already stretched NHS, it is hoped that we will be able to use musical activities more extensively within our communities, so that these benefits reach a greater audience:

Enhanced memory and focus

Improvement in chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (COPD) and other breathing-related conditions

Relief from depression and anxiety

A boost to confidence, energy and self-esteem

Greater sense of well-being, inclusion and happiness

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Why do so many of us focus on trying to correct our weaknesses, rather than paying attention to our personal strengths? These are the things that make us who we are, that make us happy… and quite often, the things that people like about us.

Discover your personal strengths…

First, we should look at why we often feel compelled to push ourselves to excel at something that doesn’t come naturally. Perhaps it stems from being taught as a child that ‘there’s no gain without pain’ or being told that ‘if at first you don’t succeed, try, try, try again’. But if we concentrate on embracing our strengths rather than focusing on our weaknesses, we will find that more opportunities open up for us and our lives will be happier and more fulfilled.

…it can change your life

So what are our personal strengths and how do we discover them? Put simply, strengths are personal characteristics that allow us to perform well, or at our personal best. But as well as recognising these strengths, we also need to know how to put them into practice. When we use our strengths we are usually energised and feel at our best and are often naturally drawn to using them in different areas of our lives.

JK Rowling admits to being highly unorganised. Luckily for Harry Potter fans, she chose to accept this weakness and concentrate instead on her writing ability.

Psychologists in the US discovered that people who knew their personal strengths and focused on using them in new ways every day for a week were happier and more positive up to six months later. Likewise, in a recent UK study, people who felt they were using their strengths were found to be more positive and had greater levels of confidence, vitality and self-esteem.

So the evidence is compelling and clear. Forget about focusing on your weaknesses – they will only hold you back. Instead take time to understand your unique strengths and this knowledge will allow you to live a life that is engaging, exciting and rewarding.

Visit the following website for information on how to discover your personal strengths: viame.org

What do you enjoy doing? Look at the things you like doing and the things that come naturally to you. Understand what skills they require and you’ll probably start to see a pattern emerge

Ask what other people think? If you’re struggling, ask your friends and family what they think your personal skills are. Their answers might surprise you and they may identify strengths you’ve taken for granted

What do you like about yourself? Do you think you’re a good listener? Or perhaps you see a solution to a problem when everyone else can’t see the wood for the trees? Don’t be modest!

What gives you a buzz? Think about things you’ve done that have left you with a sense of excitement or achievement. What instances can you think of when you’ve been totally absorbed in what you’ve been doing and the time has passed in a flash?

What are your proudest moments?Try to think of three examples. What was it that made you proud? Was it the way you reacted to a situation or was it something you achieved?

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There are many online tests you can take to discover your strengths or you can start by asking yourself these five simples questions:

As a student, Albert Einstein failed his French exam. If he’d decided to put all his efforts into trying to improve his language skills, he might never have transformed physics.

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That sense of achievement and the pleasure of mastering something new never leaves us – but as we get older we might feel less inclined to try and learn new things. The important thing here is that it’s never too late to learn and anything we do to engage the brain, heighten physical activity and maintain healthy social relationships will be hugely beneficial.

If we need evidence of these benefits, scientific research gained over a 15 year period, concludes that a challenged, stimulated brain is the key to a vibrant later life and may even help stave off mental and physical ailments and diseases.

With millions of ‘baby boomers’ preparing to embark on their retirement and people increasingly living longer and more active lives, lifelong learning is sure to be high on everyone’s agenda.

If there’s something you’d like to learn, there are plenty of organisations that can help you get back to education, try something different, or just take up a new hobby for fun and friendship.

LEARNIt’s never too late to

When we’re young, every day is an opportunity to learn something new or master new skills. Our eagerness to gain knowledge is apparent and every new accomplishment pushes us on to achieve more. Can you remember your feelings of pride and satisfaction when you first learnt to write your name, ride a bike or passed your driving test?

A greater sense of wellbeing and happiness

Increased interest in the world around you

A way to keep your brain sharp and your body active

A fantastic way to meet new people and make friends

A chance to do something you’ve never had time for

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If nothing else, challenging yourself to do something new will give you a whole new lease of life but research shows that lifelong learning is an all-round tool for better health and emotional wellbeing, with the ability to deliver a whole package of benefits.

From a former fire truck in an isolated field, to a geopod near one of north Devon’s most beautiful beaches, the UK has a unique holiday experience to suit everyone. Here’s a selection of our favourite, quirky places to stay for 2015.

A UK holiday with a difference...

For further information on these and many more unique locations around the UK, visit canopyandstars.co.uk

Get back to nature and enjoy camping at its most stylish in this stunning dome-shaped geopod. A wooden deck (8ft high in places) lets you take in the spectacular views across the river and meadow, and when darkness descends, you can get cosy and enjoy your own film nights with the pod’s handy projector.

Ever fancied sleeping in the back of a fire truck? With a Victorian double bed, a door from one of the farm cottages and the former back wall of the doghouse, this unusual place to stay has been delighting (and slightly bemusing) guests ever since it parked up.

This retired canteen truck brings a vintage charm to its quiet, country glade. The well-equipped interior harks back to its functional past and the retro styling will take you back in time. Collect your own eggs, splash around in the river, and then watch the sunset from the top of a hay bale.

Slow travel has never been slower! Relax into the gentle rumble of life on the road as you trundle through breathtaking Cumbria in your horse-drawn wagon, cook on the campfire and tuck yourselves in for a great night’s sleep in this cosy and delightful gypsy caravan.

The Loveland Pod - Bude

The Beermoth - Aviemore

Matilda - Pembrokeshire

Wanderlusts - Cumbria

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With more people trying to save money, growing vegetables at home has never been so popular. From tomatoes in hanging baskets to sprouting seeds on a windowsill, you don't even require a big garden to grow vegetables - even the smallest area can be productive.

For top advice and ideas about what to grow this spring visit hub.suttons.co.uk but why not start with the ingredients for our mouthwatering soup recipe.

Dig in and reap the rewards

Leek & potato soup With chunky carrot and celery

• 2 carrots• 2 sticks celery• 2 medium onions• 400g leeks• 2 cloves garlic• 400g potatoes• Olive oil• 2 organic chicken or vegetable stock cubes

• Sea salt• Freshly ground

black pepper

Serve 6-8 people and takes 35 minutes to prepare and cook

1. Peel and roughly slice the carrots. Slice the celery. Peel and roughly chop the onions. Cut the ends off the leeks, quarter them lengthways, wash them under running water and cut them into 1cm slices. Peel and slice the garlic.

2. Place a large pan on a high heat and add 2 tablespoons of olive oil. Add all of your chopped and sliced ingredients and mix together with a wooden spoon. Cook for around 10 minutes with the lid askew, until the carrots have softened, and the onion and leeks are lightly golden.

3. Peel the potatoes and cut them into 1cm chunks. Put the stock cubes into a jug or pan and pour in 1.8 litres of boiling water from the kettle. Stir until the stock cubes are dissolved, then add to the vegetables. Add your potatoes. Give the soup a good stir and bring to the boil. Reduce the heat and simmer for 10 minutes with the lid on.

4. Remove the pan from the heat. Season with salt and pepper. Serve like this or pulse until smooth using a hand blender or liquidiser. Divide between your serving bowls.