Innholdsfortegnelse for April 2020 i In The Moment

This issue, we focus on ways to nurture and build confidence – from practical steps that can give us the strength to break out of an unhelpful routine (page 18), to the confidence we can gain from accepting all the aspects of our personality, including the ‘imperfections’ we often feel we have to keep hidden (page 34). Positive psychology coach Gabrielle Treanor also shows us how confidence can help us to tackle overwhelm, whether this is the confidence to say no, or yes, or to ask for help (page 26). Like anyone, my confidence comes and goes. Recently, I’ve said yes to a few opportunities outside my comfort zone after deciding, towards the end of last year, that if fear of failure is really the only reason I have for…

ANNABEL HERRICK An experienced writer who loves to cover all things wellness, lifestyle and travel, Annabel approaches everything she does with creativity. Follow her travels on Instagram @annabelherrick Annabel heads to an 'energy house' in search of relief from her IBS, page 86 SARAH RODRIGUES Originally from Australia, Sarah is a freelance journalist with a particular interest in travel and wellbeing. She regularly posts updates on her adventures on Instagram @justtwenteen Sarah heeds the call of the wild on a South African eco safari on page 108 ABIGAIL WHYTE Abi loves to write about people with passion, the outdoors, history and wild food. She finds calm in listening to music and spending time surrounded by nature. Find her online at abigailwhyte.com Be inspired by Abi's sustainable fashion challenge on page…

Eating seasonally and locally is a great way to support the environment and get the most nutritional benefits from our food, but knowing what, how and when to eat isn’t always clear. River Cottage have launched a new series of retreats designed to help us get to know our veg from root to plate, sharing everything they know about working in rhythm with the seasons to nurture healthy, seasonal and flavourful eating habits. The three-day events cover everything from planting, growing and harvesting your own, to developing cooking skills and confidence in the kitchen and even connecting with nature on a deeper level through activities like mindful drawing and yoga. “It’s our greatest delight to share our passion for food integrity and consumption of local, seasonal produce with people every…

In our modern world we’re rarely left in silence – which is why we need it all the more. As a French Buddhist nun, Kankyo Tannier knows a thing or two about finding the silence within and using it to overcome stress and enjoy golden moments of stillness, even in the midst of a busy day. She shares her spiritual insights and practical tools in a warm and accessible way through this book, with a sprinkling of French charm that makes it an enjoyable and helpful read. The Gift of Silence by Kankyo Tannier (Yellow Kite, £9.99), is out now.…

Spring is a time of renewal and rebirth, so planting seeds is the perfect way to celebrate the season. Begin by holding the seeds in your palms, considering where they have come from and how you are helping to give them life, then notice all of the sensations you feel as you plant them into the soft earth. Try to be present and feel this connection every time you water them and watch them grow. For indoor growers, gardening expert Sarah Raven suggests planting ‘Lemon’ basil, summer lettuces and wild rocket, which can all be grown in pots. If you have space to plant your seedlings outdoors, April is the ideal time to plant chicory, chard, beets and broad beans and colourful blooms such as calendula, cosmos and zinnia. For…

Small wins in life are big motivators. Learning to recognise small wins for what they are is a benefit that can also help us to overcome frustration, setbacks and disappointment. Whether large or small, a win always marks an achievement. An achievement always requires some effort and seldom happens when we are slumped on the sofa. This may have involved making a tricky phone call, exerting ourselves physically, even doing something we really didn’t want to do. A win is also a reward that could be a tangible prize, but very often it’s that small sense of pride, personal triumph or pleasure gained through what we’ve achieved, however small, and that’s something to be celebrated. The other interesting thing about small wins is that they can sometimes be so small…

Fear. It is such an emotive word. A mental state which can be so powerful and uncontrollable that it manifests itself physically. That bubble in your stomach that pushes your bladder down and your lungs up; makes your breath short and your muscles weak. Of course, the emotional and physical reaction is entirely unique to each of us. When I hear the term, ‘to be afraid,’ I assume vulnerability, anxiety, nerves, that feeling described above. But, as an extreme sports instructor, the association I have with the word ‘fear’ is very different. It reminds me of adrenaline, excitement – a determination to go faster, jump higher, push harder. Kiteboarding is my passion. Of course, this hasn’t always been the case. My ex-boyfriend can certainly attest to that! He was the…

Kansa wand face massage was developed to help improve the skin’s health and appearance naturally, without the need for invasive treatment. It is based on the principles of Ayurveda, the traditional medicine system of India, which focuses on harmonious, healthy living and restoring balance to the body, mind and spirit. Kansa wand face massage combines three therapeutic elements in one treatment: massage of the facial marmas (Ayurvedic acupressure points), nourishing oils and a simple massage tool, called a kansa wand. ‘Kansa’, which translates as ‘bronze’, is a metal alloy that contains copper, tin and trace elements, such as zinc. It is considered a sacred and healing metal in India and when applied to the skin as part of a treatment, is believed to boost vitality. The wand can move deep…

Who doesn’t love the look and feel of a new outfit? To swish about in front of the mirror, do that sticky-out leg pose, then inevitably wear it every day for about a week because the novelty is just so irresistible. I know that’s not just me. And in this trend-driven market – where every new season brings a dazzling array of new garments on store mannequins; the season’s ‘must-haves’ in the latest trendy colours, most of it cheap as chips – our hunger for fast fashion is sated. Temporarily. Yet, while we’re thrilled with our bargain buy, someone is usually paying somewhere – often a young woman working long hours in appalling conditions in a country south of the equator. When do we ever get to hear their stories?…

Live with roommates? Have friends and family around you? Chances are that if you’re looking to live a more sustainable lifestyle, not everyone around you will be ready to jump on that bandwagon. I experienced this when I started transitioning into a zero waste lifestyle five years ago, as I was living with my parents, and I continue to experience this with my husband, as he is not completely zero waste like me. I’ve learned a few things along the way though, which I hope you’ll find encouraging if you’re head over heels doing your best to figure out how you can make the change in a not-always-supportive household. Zero waste was a radical lifestyle movement a few years back. I remember showing my parents a video of Bea Johnson,…

When I began my course, I did what all good students do and found a friendly Facebook group of fellow trainee counsellors. Within this virtual common room, members ask all kinds of questions, from where to buy bargain text books to advice on where to study. But the main question that comes up over and over again is about the transition from current job to new, spangly, dream career. How do we get from here to there? And what do we do with the unsettling feelings that can arise? Fear of the unknown is nothing new. The older we get, the more practised we may be at tolerating feelings of discomfort. The difference with a change of career is that the stakes are so high. We’re at a crossroads and…

Craving pasta, bread or potatoes? You are probably feeling low on energy and simply need to replenish. Try healthier, fibre-rich carbohydrates, like apples, bananas, root and cruciferous vegetables like cauliflower, cabbage or broccoli. Knock up Jack’s comforting ‘Crispy Chow Mein’ or replace your pasta with veg in Rachel Mansfield’s ‘Creamy Alfredo Zucchini Noodles’. INGREDIENTS V GF SERVES 1 1 large zucchini (courgette)25g (⅓ cup) sliced mushrooms½ tbsp avocado oilSea salt & black pepper40g (¼ cup) caramelised onions (I use a jar)Approx. 150g (5-6oz) cooked protein of your choice2 tbsp almond milk cream cheese1 cup fresh baby arugula (rocket)2 tbsp pine nuts Creamy alfredo zucchini noodles Zucchini (courgette) works best but you can pretty much spiralize any vegetable and turn it into a spaghetti-type noodle. Butternut squash, sweet potatoes, carrots… METHOD…

Churning. When I’m asked to describe Irritable Bowel Syndrome or IBS, that’s the word. It feels like someone is ringing out my intestines; twisting my insides into a knot. I’d been out for a swim with my family and we had seafood for lunch. Then, the abdominal painstarted and I woke to the same dull ache every day for two months. We blamed the food, or was it bacteria in the pool? I noticed the churning would intensify during periods of work stress. I’d think I was better, I’d eat, then I’d be bed bound, clutching my stomach until 2am. Hunger would persist, so I’d eat, and the cycle continued. I began to fear food. Like watching the flash of lightning and anticipating thunder, I’d look at lunch and know…

For a long time, I called myself a perfectionist. It was a label that suited me: it explained my high expectations, my intolerance for anything but the very best in all I do. And it had the faint hint of a humble brag, too; like saying you ‘work too hard’ in a job interview, calling yourself a perfectionist is a pretty way of saying your standards are higher than those of everybody else. But the shadow side of perfectionism is fear. What I was doing, with my refusal to be anything but stellar, was desperately trying to manage how I was perceived by the world. The shame I felt at having a typo pointed out to me in a blog post wasn’t about the actual act of my fingers smooshing…

Staring down into the depths, I will myself to stay calm and focus on emptying my mind as my lungs tighten. Sam, my instructor, is stood in the water next to me, timing my breath hold. I try not to count the seconds ticking by, and instead imagine that I belong in this alien underwater world. When I finally come up for air, Sam grins at me and checks his watch. “Three minutes!” Freediving is the art of holding your breath under water. As its rather lovely name suggests, it takes the concept of scuba diving and strips away technology, focusing instead on what our bodies can do alone – hold our breath underwater for minutes at a time (the longest recorded breath hold, by the way, is 22 minutes…

Listening to… Hypnotherapist Chloe Brotheridge, author of The Anxiety Solution, shares wise words with fab guests like Owning It author Caroline Foran. Reading… If you haven't read this gorgeous tale of friendship, compassion and kindness I'd like to recommend that you do. I think you'll love it. (Ebury Press, £16.99) Recommending… I'm a little bit obsessed with apple cider vinegar so I love Avalon's organic, free-from shampoo and conditioner #shinyhair £6.99 kijaniliving.com…

We know that aluminium-free natural deodorants are better for our body, but often their packaging still includes plastic. Enter nude deodorants – companies who are reducing their environmental impact further with biodegradable packaging and a carbon neutral production process. These deodorants are often ‘preodorants’, working to prevent rather than disguise the smell of perspiration with a small but mighty list of natural ingredients, often including silver. “As micro silver structurally reduces the bacteria population, the smell of perspiration cannot occur – and the product lasts longer than a standard deodorant, from 2-7 days,” explains the team behind nuude. Learn more at nuudecare.com…

The term ‘woodworking’ might make you think more hard graft than peaceful pastime, but for artist Aleksandra Zee, it has become a key part of her wellbeing. “There’s just something about wood,” she explains in her new book, The Way of the Woodshop (Dey Street Books, £20). “It’s an imperfect material with cracks, knots and irregularities. I find that by working with all its inconsistencies, I can also tackle my own. This hard yet flexible material helps me learn to love my own flaws.” You don’t have to be an aspiring artist to enjoy the process; in her DIY guide, Aleksandra shares how even using scraps to make a simple picture frame can be a soothing way to spend time, as well as more elaborate projects, such as a reclaimed…

Decoder Ring If you enjoy investigative podcasts such as Serial but want something a little lighter, this one's for you. n each episode, host Willa Paskin delves into the story behind a pop culture phenomenon, from gender reveal parties to the history of the laugh track on sitcoms, and how they’ve shaped our lives. Willa’s curiosity and calm reporting makes for a lovely listen. Something Rhymes with Purple You might know Susie Dent as Countdown’s word whizz, now she’s brought her love of language to a podcast. Together with co-host Gyles Brandreth, she shares origins, meanings and fascinating insights into the words we use and why we use them. Great for both entertainment and your vocabulary. The History Chicks We know a lot of the great men in history, but…

We all have times when our self confidence takes a dip, but Anna Barnes, author of The Confidence Journal, says it’s never lost forever. “Lack of self-confidence is characterised by critical self-talk and self-doubt, which can hold you back and prevent you from realising your full potential… but what many people don’t realise is that confidence grows, like a muscle. Confident feeling and behaviour can be practised and, in time, it can become a habit.” Anna’s simple exercise can help: “Write down 10 things you like about yourself. It doesn’t matter how small or ‘silly’ these things are. Maybe you make the best cup of tea, or you have a talent for making your friends laugh. Focusing on things that you like about yourself will help you to break the…

“No one is immune to overwhelm, we all experience it and yet when we’re in the thick of it, we think we’re the only ones” Overwhelm can feel all-consuming, taking over our lives, draining our energy and distorting our perspective. Left unchecked it can also lead to burnout. So how can we recognise when it’s building and what can we do to ease it? Overwhelm can be tricky to recognise because what it looks and feels like can vary. It can show up as a lack of focus, an inability to know what to do next. It can feel like everything is insurmountable so there’s no point in trying and your overriding urge is to hide under the duvet. It can take the form of tiredness, irritability, a lack of…

Q I have a core group of six friends I’ve known for years. We have been on holiday together and used to spend weekends together and they were always the people I would meet for drinks after work. I thought we had lots in common but whenever we meet up now, it feels like I am always interested in their lives, but they are not interested in mine. When I launched my new business none of them asked me anything about it, whereas I would be really supportive of what they were doing. I appreciate that people change but these are the friends I have the most history with and I feel like they don’t know anything about me, whereas I have newer friends who get me and share the…

Simplify Your Life by Mary Conroy 1 Minimalism is becoming ever more popular, and the appeal is clear, but it’s not all about white walls and open spaces. Mary Conroy makes minimalism accessible, reframes the concept for those of us who want to bring more intentionality to life, and includes useful tips for conscious consumption and finding purpose. A great starting point for curious minimalists. £10.99, Hay House Publishers The Source by Dr Tara Stewart 2 Medical doctor, neuroscientist and executive coach Dr Tara Stewart is passionate about teaching others how neuroscience can help us to live happier, healthier lives. Learn how you can train your mind to seize opportunities by challenging ‘autopilot’ and negative thinking, transforming your life in the process. £8.99, Vermillion The Nordic Art of Sisu by…

For most of my life, appearing resilient was such a priority that it manifested as not asking for help, avoiding having needs so I wouldn’t be a burden, and not feeling too much. By my late teens, I wore these traits like a badge of honour. I’d boast about my ability to shove down something for a few months until it felt safe to deal with it. I’d swallow hurts and then forget that I buried them, and then throw more on top. When I became seriously ill in my late twenties with an autoimmune disease, I didn’t tell HR for eighteen months and tried to act as if everything was normal. I rarely took time off, stayed late to ‘make up’ for having appointments, pushed myself to perform, and…

“The struggle for human dignity in the fashion industry is constant and costly, and the environment continues to suffer as a result of the way in which fashion is made, sourced and consumed,” says Fashion Revolution founder Carry Somers. “We need far greater visibility of the people working in supply chains, the people who sew, weave, dye, spin the yarn or grow the raw materials for the clothes we wear. Every time we ask the question ‘#whomademyclothes?’, we are demanding an industry free from child labour, modern slavery and all forms of exploitation and every time we ask the question ‘#whatsinmyclothes?’, our new hashtag for 2020, we are demanding materials that don’t compromise human health and ecosystems. Our voices can change the fashion industry – let's use them!” Visit fashionrevolution.org…

Your home can be the key to better health, better sleep, better relationships, and an all-round better life. Your home can also lock you into a damaging relationship, drain your energy, and devour your money. Every choice you make about your home influences your life. With every dollar you spend on your home, you cast a vote for the kind of life you wish to live: what you value, how you will be treated, and whom you will let in. If you’re like me, you are highly affected by your environment. We crave the beauty and calm depicted in glossy home decorating magazines – not just because the pictures are pretty, but because we imagine that if we could just get our homes close to that ideal, we’d enjoy less…

We all experience cravings from time to time – maybe it’s carbs as we step through the front door after work, sweets or chocolate when we’ve had a tiring or stressful day. Whatever it is we crave, this is our body sending us a signal that we are in need, though this signal is rarely as straightforward as a ‘need’ for the foods we crave. Cravings are complex, confirms nutritional therapist Kristy Coleman: “It isn’t as simple as craving chocolate meaning you are deficient in magnesium, but they are broadly driven by two mechanisms. There is the psychological, which ranges from restrictions we place upon ourselves and our diets to advertising exposure; and the physical, including mineral deficiencies, sleep quality, diet and hormonal changes. “There’s a lot of research emerging…

If you’re exercising a lot, there’s a chance you may begin to crave salt, as sodium (which helps to maintain water balance in our body) is lost in sweat. However, most of us consume too much salt, so it is rare for sodium levels to drop too far. Stress can prompt us to crave strong, salty flavours, so this may be a psychological need rather than a physical one. Snack on Rachel’s Almond Flour ‘Cheese’ Crackers when you want something salty, or satisfy your craving with another strong flavour and make Melissa’s Fried Chermoula Cauliflower. INGREDIENTS V GF MAKES ABOUT 60 CRACKERS 100g (1 cup) blanched almond flour, plus more for dusting½ tsp sea salt½ tsp garlic powder2 tbsp nutritional yeast3 tbsp gluten-free tapioca flour3 tbsp avocado oil, plus more…

Immerse yourself in the gentle art of collage and you’ll soon find your imagination running wild with the many possibilities it presents. From elements which at first seem to have no connection, we can create something entirely new with just a little patience, a pair of scissors and a dab of glue. As artist Maria Rivens, who created the collage above, explains, “It can take you on meandering journeys, and it can consume as many hours as pots of glue. Yet, for all of the creative labour, there’s also a certain easy fun and meditative immersion.” Search for a selection of images which resonate with you – your passions, your hopes, your experiences – to create something truly personal and you may find yourself inspired to try new things and…

1 Recollections of My Non-Existence by Rebecca Solnit Rebecca Solnit has been an essential commentator on politics and culture for several decades now, but with the feminist burgeoning of the last few years, it’s started to feel like the world has caught up with her. She wrote the essay Men Explain Things to Me which spawned the term ‘mansplaining’, and though she didn’t coin the word herself, there’s something appropriately Solnit-ish about it. She has a talent for divining the kinds of things that are so pervasive they’re almost impossible to identify, and which it is an extraordinary relief to be able to name – even if naming alone isn’t enough to remedy them. Recollections of My Non-Existence is a memoir, but that label doesn’t quite convey what this book…

Retro style How can you resist the 80s style of this bright backpack? Cotopaxi’s retro, colour block designs are a big Instagram favourite, and the 15-litre Tasra rucksack is guaranteed to brighten up any day, with plentiful pockets and stowable straps. Each one is handmade in a different colourway, so yours will be totally unique. €85 eu.cotopaxi.com Super versatile This classic makes a great everyday bag. Inside, a separate zippered pocket holds your phone and wallet, while a padded sleeve keeps a 15in laptop snug. The Arbor is designed with hikers in mind, and sports comfortable padded straps. Water-repellent and made with allrecycled fabrics, this is a versatile choice. £65 eu.patagonia.com Pretty and practical Lucy and Yak make the best dungarees on the planet – and their new foray into…

Ideal company How apt that I should be reading my favourite magazine and digesting an article about ichigo ichie as I travel across Japan on the train! I am truly making the most of my experiences – from stepping back and absorbing the scrambled crossing in Shibuya, Tokyo, to a walking meditation at the temples of Nikko. Thank you so much for your inspiring articles. Melanie Rose, via Facebook Monthly mindfulness At the beginning of the year, In The Moment magazine sent out these little mindfulness diaries and I’m loving the focus mine has given me so far in 2020, especially as we welcome a new month. Karen Rose Kingsbury, via Instagram Sage advice When I read your piece about dealing with frustration [in issue 35] I was reminded of…

How much wear do you get out of your clothes? A recent study found that almost half of us don’t wear items of clothing for two days in a row, with 63 percent of us using a warm or hot setting when we then chuck them in the wash. “A whopping 34 million tons of carbon dioxide emissions would be saved if every household in the US alone used only cold water for washing clothes,” says Christine Dimmick, author of Detox Your Home (Rowman & Littlefield, £22.95). That number is multiplied by five if you wear your garms three times between each wash. The added bonus? With less machine washing, our clothes are subject to much less wear and tear.…

Planning a city getaway? Add Cardiff to your list – it’s been named the best city in the UK for your skin. The study looked at a whole host of factors, from UV and pollution levels to lifestyle stress and even wind speed to ascertain where would be best for our overall skin health. The Welsh capital even stood up to international standards, ranking 12th in the world, with Oslo, Norway and Phoenix, USA taking the top spots if you’re looking further afield.…

We know that eating our greens is good for us, and sea and freshwater vegetables particularly so. Chlorella is a freshwater algae and a nutrient-dense whole food rich in essential minerals. It’s also a great source of protein – an added bonus for all diets, but ideal if you’re eating less meat. If the idea of adding algae to your plate doesn’t tempt your tastebuds, don’t worry – try Sun Chlorella A powder or tablets, which use a clever technology that helps the body to more easily absorb all the goodness. sunchlorella.co.uk…

“It all started by accident!” Mel remembers. “I’d been active before having kids, but afterwards I found it impossible to exercise – I was too tired, felt too guilty and back surgery meant that I had lost all confidence. I posted a desperate plea on a mum’s Facebook group looking for similarly unfit mums to start running with. When 75 women turned up to meet me for that first run, I realised I wasn’t alone.” Running became transformative for Mel's mental health, especially as a new mum. “I suffered with post-natal depression after having my daughter and I still have anxiety now,” she explains. “Quite simply, running is the only thing that helps me to manage it. Being outdoors in nature helps me to feel calmer, to process the things…

Highlight all of the tasks on your list that will take two minutes or less, and do them straight away. It will shrink down your list in a matter of minutes. Get honest and ask yourself: ‘What tasks can I let go of and remove from my list altogether?’. We live in a society of more, more, more, so our brains often aren’t programmed to enable us to let go, but the more you do it, the more empowered you’ll feel and your confidence with decluttering your to-do list will grow. Give yourself a ‘must do’ and a ‘could do’ list for each day, rather than a long, never ending to-do list. The rule is, there can only be three tasks on your ‘must do’ list for each day and…

Since time began, humans have strived to fit in with the tribe. Our survival depended upon it. Although the stakes are lower these days, the need to blend in continues. Yet when we are taught to show only the parts of ourselves deemed as ‘acceptable’ or ‘normal’, we create a mask. Temporarily, and superficially, this may appear to increase our resilience but what’s really going on beneath it? Contrary to popular belief, demonstrating resilience isn’t limited to strengthening the traits we are most proud of or praised for. Many experts believe it’s about having a deeper awareness of the hidden sides of our personality – also known as our shadow aspects. By embracing these, we can truly harness resilience, and other positive qualities. What is the shadow? Carl Jung first…

Sustainability is at the heart of every garment created by Gudrun Sjödén, with a focus on designs that blend natural organic fabrics with colours and patterns inspired by Nordic folklore. We love their Spring collection inspired by watercolour sketches, which uses natural dyes to retain the hand-painted feel of the original designs. Above: Organic cotton ruffle skirt, £69; linen/organic cotton ‘Earth’ sweater, £99; ‘Hake’ organic cotton shawls, from £19 each. See the full collection at gudrunsjoden.com…

Buy pre-loved • When you buy second hand, you’re buying something that already exists and doesn’t contribute to more resources being taken out of the environment. As well as charity shops and vintage markets, make the most of eBay and Gumtree, and seek out local online alternatives, such as ‘Online Carboot’ pages on Facebook. Host or attend a clothes swap • Host a regular clothes swap with friends or seek out swishing events in your area. You might even be lucky enough to have a ‘swap shop’ in your town or city. It’s a great way of meeting people, and who knows what lovely items you’ll come away with. swishing.com Shop at ethical retailers • From trainers made out of ocean waste to organic hemp undies, there’s an incredible array…

As most of us try to cut down on highfat options, particularly dishes like fried foods, this craving is usually psychological – wanting what we can’t (or haven’t allowed ourselves to) have. However, it may be an indication that you need more essential fatty acids, in which case introducing oily fish, whole eggs and avocado into your diet will help to give your body what it needs. Replace a greasy breakfast fry up with Jack Monroe’s Breakfast MuckMuffin or try Melissa Hemsley’s Fridge-Raid Frittata to satisfy your craving INGREDIENTS VE GF SERVES 4 1 large head of broccoli, florets evenly chopped and stem finely chopped1 small onion, thinly sliced2 cloves of garlic2 tbsp butter10 eggs2 large handfuls of grated cheese (I use mature Cheddar or you could use crumbled feta…

We tend to crave sweet foods when we are looking for comfort or need to boost our energy levels quickly, as the latter is exactly what sugars deliver. Instead of going for processed sugars, try to opt for fruit, particularly berries, which deliver the sweet flavour we’re craving without the added side-effects. While chocolate cravings tend to be emotionally linked, they may indicate a need for a boost in happy hormones like serotonin – so doing something you enjoy can be a good alternative to a chocolate bar. For sweet treats that will satisfy your craving and still pack a nutritional punch, whip up a batch of Rachel’s Sweet Potato Almond Butter Brownies or a tub of her refreshing Mint Cacao Chip ‘Ice Cream’. INGREDIENTS V GF MAKES 9 BROWNIES…

The British Isles are home to an incredible variety of places to run,” say writers, photographers and adventure experts Jen and Sim Benson in their latest book, Short Runs in Beautiful Places. “Across the length and breadth of the nation, an extensive network of footpaths and bridleways winds along spectacular stretches of coastline, through leafy woodland, over mountain ridges and down sheltered valleys. There are rivers and lakes to traverse, islands to circumnavigate, open areas of moorland, heathland, parkland and common to explore.” Lace up your trainers, try a new route and find a fresh perspective, close to home or a little further afield. Short Runs in Beautiful Places by Jen and Sim Benson (National Trust Books, £12.99) is out now.…