Anxious? Stressed? Take time out to feed your soul, and you could benefit from a little lunchtime healing.
Music, art and laughter are just some of the quick fix ways you can soothe your daily cares away.
Art works With the uncertainties of the credit crunch and the January blues, why not take solace from looking at an inspi
ring work of art?
David Bomberg's beautiful oil painting, The South East Corner of Jerusalem (1926), on display at Pallant House Gallery, seems to be a particularly appropriate work at present. This expressive painting suggests a sense of tranquillity and cohesion that is far removed from the current situation between Israel and the Palestinian people.
Here, the jewelled gilding of the Moslem Dome of the Rock and the walls encircling the Christian holy places and Jewish synagogues glisten in the sunlight as they nestle together in the landscape.
It suggests to me the possibility of people of different faiths and cultures living side by side peacefully – something that I very much hope can be achieved through reconciliation and dialogue in 2009.
Simon Martin Assistant curator, Pallant House Gallery, Chichester
A laugh a day When did you last enjoy a real belly laugh?
Laughter is a great natural way to reduce stress, take exercise (like internal jogging) boost immune systems, increase positivity and create wonderful, uplifting relationships with others.
"Laughter is the sun that drives winter from the human face" Victor Hugo.
Try the following playful suggestions to get the giggles going....
1 Have a face-pulling competition where you try to make your opponents laugh - one smirk and they`re out!
2 Find a word that 'tickles you' (underpants, bottom) and see how many times you can put it into a sentence and it still makes absolute sense!
3 Tell someone your most embarrassing moment - they will see you in a whole new light.
4 Try out different silly walks every day – Charlie Chaplin, John Wayne, John Cleese, catwalk model
5 Stage a 'seriously bad' singing competition to see who can destroy a song most effectively
6 Laugh for absolutely no reason – try out different fake laughs to get you going. The common laughter sounds are ho ho, ha ha, hee hee, hoo hoo, and even hu hu! Get creative with your laughter, even a fake laugh releases endorphins into the system and practising enthusiastically will lead to authentic laughter.
Lisa SturgeLaughter coach, Bosham
Lisa is running a new monthly Chichester Laughter Club which combines play activities and infectious laughter in a group atmosphere. Contact her on 01243 572381 or 07702366775. Email lisa@laughterlinescoaching.co.uk or visit www.laughterlinescoaching.co.uk. All profits go to local charities.
Time for reflection When we take the chance to settle down and simply go out into the countryside, we notice everything around us is in a constant state of change… nothing remains unaltered for long.
Like the flowing pattern of our breathing, continual change is a necessary part of nature, if we wanted only to be continually breathing in, life would be very short and end in a mess!
Reflect on this…
When we recognise the impermanent nature of everything, we begin to let go.
Releasing our holding to things which can never satisfy us.
We become wise, grasping comes to an end
and the mind finds its own peace.
Naturally.
Ajahn Thanuttaro Bhikkhu Cittaviveka Monastry, Chithurst
Healing music A serious car accident and consequent nervous breakdown 25 years ago was eventually repaired permanently by watching the Last Night of the Proms.
The exhuberant music gave me back lost confidence.
Once I had an unhappy love affair but the misery was cured by Walton's Symphony No 1.It was his cure for the complaint too.
Black moments nowadays are easily cured by Beethoven's late quartets and piano sonatas. To know that he suffered permanently from about six illnesses during the creation of these mind-blowing explorations into the human mind puts one's own little problems into sharp relief.
Richard Williamson Observer Magazine Nature Trail's columnist
Drink in the view I'm in training for the London Marathon to raise money for Action for ME, so I'm running during my lunch hours over the next few months.
At whatever pace, following the path alongside Chichester Canal is a great way to take a break from day-to-day stresses.
It's so easy to get to from town and it doesn't take long to reach the bridge at Hunston. From there you can look back towards the Cathedral, a view that inspired countless artists including Turner, whose painting you can see at Petworth House, and Ivon Hitchens, an artist well represented in Pallant House Gallery's collection.
Frances Guy Head of curatorial service, Pallant House Gallery, Chichester
Think positive Want a fillip at any time? It's simpler than you might think. In fact, don't think, FEEL.
Your feelings tell you what is appropriate in any moment. Just shut your eyes; imagine everything dropping away from you as you silence the eternal dialogue with yourself. And then you can get to the quietness inside that easily guides you to regaining your equilibrium. Be sure to act on the FEELING.
Take the walk; have the nap; ask for the back massage (or give one) - be your own loved one. We have treasures untold within so, in 2009, let's treat ourselves to them.
Jack GarwoodAuthor of 101 Top Tips on the Art of Living, Chichester
Contact Jack on 01243 83 98 83 or visit www.spirecorporate.co.uk
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