An Almanac for Anxiety: In Search of a Calmer Mind

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Factual: Health & Wellbeing

Series exploring how interacting with the natural elements can improve mental wellbeing.

Series exploring how connecting with the elemental forces of nature helps people with a range of mental illnesses to feel better.

Series exploring how connecting with the elemental forces of nature helps people with a range of mental illnesses to feel better. We also learn about the current academic research behind these methods.

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An Almanac for Anxiety: In Search of a Calmer Mind: Episode 4 - Air

Episode 4 - Air

BBC Radio 4 - An Almanac for Anxiety: In Search of a Calmer Mind, Episode 4 - Air

Exploring how interacting with the natural elements can improve mental wellbeing.

Anxiety is the most common form of mental illness in the UK, with nearly a fifth of people experiencing it over the course of a year. Although it is often treated through medication, there are many alternative ways which are proving to be very effective in reducing anxiety amongst some people. In this series, we explore how connecting with the elemental forces of nature helps people with a range of mental illnesses to feel better. We also learn about the current academic research behind these methods.

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.

Produced and Presented by Helen Needham
Research by Anna Miles and Maud Start
Original Music by Anthony Cowie
Mixed by Ron McCaskill and Malcolm Torrie

A BBC Scotland Production made in Aberdeen for BBC Radio 4

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An Almanac for Anxiety: In Search of a Calmer Mind

Episode 4 - Air

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