Venturing outdoors in autumn and winter can boost mental health
Colourful autumn days and crisp winter mornings can boost social, mental and physical health, according to experts.
The Royal College of Psychiatrists and Forestry England have championed getting outside, even when the nights draw in, to help combat winter blues.
'Spending time outdoors in nature, including in woodlands and forests, can really improve mental health,' said Dr Alan Kellas, of the Royal College of Psychiatrists’s sustainability committee.
'Our senses are engaged differently, our attention changes, we naturally become more mindful, our mood settles if aroused or anxious, or lifts if low or depressed, our imagination can be sparked and we can gain a different perspective on our lives, projects and problems.'
Humpback whale found dead in Thames was hit by ship
A juvenile female humpback whale, who died after swimming into the River Thames, was hit by a ship.
The whale was found the dead whale just after 5pm on Tuesday (8 October) in Greenhithe, Kent, but is not clear whether the wound was inflicted by the ship before or after her death.
A great new forest for Northumberland
The government has announced plans for a new Great Northumberland Forest in a bid to tackle climate change.
Great Northumberland Forest will encompass three new areas of woodland, covering 500 hectares with up to a million new trees by 2024. The trees will be of mixed species to encourage biodiversity.
On this day...
On 10 October, 1731, Henry Cavendish, was born. The British physicist and chemist discovered hydrogen, which he termed 'inflammable air'.
Love in the Countryside: Awkward farm dates and being dumped by a Shetland pony
Far from the glitz and glamour of Love Island, or the shiny studios of Take Me Out, BBC Two’s Love in the Countryside focuses on those looking for romance in a rural setting.
The television series follows seven lonely hearts, including farmers, a vet and even an equine dentist, and follows them on their journey to find love. It’s pretty cringe-worthy watching, but the clumsy interactions make strangely compulsive viewing, as Rachael Turner reports...
Ancient woodland saved from HS2 — but only for the time being
The Woodland Trust has welcomed news of a deferral on HS2 work in ancient woodland until the government completes a review, but said that all work must be halted to avoid irreversible damage.
Abi Bunker, the charity's director of conservation and external affairs, said the move was only made after pressure from the charity and other organisations and individuals.
Giant catfish caught in Devon
A record-breaking wels catfish has been caught in a lake in West Devon.
Chris Flook captured the 72lb 2oz (32.6kg) fish from the Specimen Carp Lake at Anglers Paradise in Beaworthy near Exeter.
The owner of Anglers Paradise, Zyg Gregorek told Plymouth Live he believes it is the biggest wels catfish born and bred in the UK.
https://www.facebook.com/AnglersParadiseDevon/photos/a.457160964359830/2459097670832806/?type=3&theater
'[It] is one of the offspring of our original stocking in the early 90s following a long fight with the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food to get official permission to stock them,' he said, adding that Mr Flook has been fishing at Angler's Paradise for 'donkey's years' and he was delighted with his monster catch.
And finally... A rat invasion?
A pest control company has warned that up to 120 million rats could be making their way into UK homes this winter due to wet weather.
There is a 30-40% increase in the number of rat infestations in homes when the climate drops, according to Cleankill Pest Control.
They are advising homeowners to block gaps in walls, clear out stair cupboards and not leave food out.
Soothing sounds of woodland proven to be more relaxing than meditation apps or silence
Listening to birdsong, rustling leaves and a gentle stream can positively affect our wellbeing, a Natural Trust study has found.
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90-million-year-old 'swimming dinosaur' skeleton found by dogs out walking in Somerset, and the nonchalant moths who don't bother fleeing enemiesA superbly intact dinosaur skeleton — described as being 'museum quality' — has been discovered on a beach in Somerset.
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Country Life Today: Great news for those who love our great country pubs — the years of decline are overThere is a great sign of health in the pub industry, we look back at Edward VIII's abdication message and fret about Greenland's melting ice.
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Country Life Today: Spain accused of being 'a deplorable choice' for UN climate conferenceA no-holds-barred assault on the Spanish fishing industry, Banksy raising awareness of the homeless and the woes of the Christmas jumper are in today's news round-up.
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Country Life Today: 'This is perhaps the ultimate wake-up call from the uncontrolled experiment humanity is unleashing on the world’s oceans'In today's round up, we examine why oxygen loss is putting oceans at risk, discover that action to cut air pollution brings almost immediate benefits to human health and find out which bird's arrival marks the start of winter in Gloucestershire.
