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It seems that 2017 has been nothing but a constant stream of heavily heated political opinions, discussions, fears, and strongly held beliefs. In less than a week, on June 8th, there will be a General Election here in the UK, one that seems to weigh heavily on most of our minds and is present in many of our discussions as of late.

Is it “good” that we’re talking about politics so much?

On one hand, yes! It is great that so many people are becoming involved and interested in this aspect of our society that has typically been seen as the stuffy, predictable, and boring body that maintains the status quo. If we look around, many of us can clearly see that people who were otherwise uninterested are now getting informed and becoming a part of the process. This is a very important piece of how our society functions and whether we all agree on the partiulars or not, it is a wonderful thing that more people are beginning to care and are taking action.

While more people are getting involved, it is important to remind ourselves that burnout is very real. When we are continuously surrounded by these types of discussions, we can easily frustrate, overexert, and exhaust ourselves as well as others. In a time where our worlds can be easily accessible and our thoughts are regularly shared instantly, we need to be a bit more careful with how we interact with one another. No matter how passionate or involved, it is important to be able to take a step back and realise when we (and others) might be needing a break.

Many of us are feeling divided. What do we do about it?

The issues being discussed are heavily weighted, they impact nearly all of us, and they are not to be taken lightly. While we all have opinions about what is best for us, for our communities, and for the country, we must remember to do our best to listen. We only feel divided when we do not take the time to appreciate and understand other sides. Everyone brings their own experiences and perspective on how the world around us works. These ideas shape how we view the best path forward and they are unlikely to change overnight.

These next few days might feel a little extra stressful and exhausting, so we must be sure to check in with ourselves and others. A little self-care can go a long way.

How to self-care during the coming week

1. Take breaks. We must make time for what feels good to our bodies and minds. If that means watching a silly television show, taking a bath, or going on a hike, it’s important that we make room for these experiences.

2. Patience, patience, patience. Change does not happen all in one go or all in one vote. True change happens in the day-to-day interactions, the little things that fill our lives. We must do our best to be patient, with ourselves, with others, and with our political processes.

3. Have the tough conversations. When we can, we must find time for understanding. Where we feel division, there is room for connection and growth. If there are neighbours, friends, or family that we disagree with, starting a conversation with open ears and an open mind might help ease the distance.

4. Listen more than we speak. This one is much easier said than done. We are often quick to share our thoughts and experiences, as they are naturally the ones we know and feel the deepest. We trust ourselves and our perspectives. It is much more difficult to open our minds to the experiences of others. In the next few days, we can do our best to take the more difficult and potentially more rewarding route.

5. Take a step back. While this might feel stressful, it is important to take a step back and look at our lives as a whole. This political decision has the potential to change a lot, but our lives will not be immediately worse or better.  

6. Take action. In whatever ways we can, even if it is only having a discussion with a friend or a neighbour, the little things matter. We can be sure to vote, share our information with others, and do the best we can.

7. Show a little more gratitude. There are wonderful people, events, and spaces that are constantly surrounding us. It can be easy to get swept up into how bad and scary the world is, when in reality, if we look hard enough, there is always something beautiful happening around us. Making time and space to appreciate these things is incredibly important.

Let us know how you’re feeling pre-election! Share any thoughts, experiences, or advice in the comments below!

Happy sharing,

Sam

We've had quite a few bank holidays lately, so you might be feeling like this one is no big deal, but this weekend is a perfect opportunity to get out and enjoy the warmer weather! No matter what your plans are for this weekend, make sure you take advantage of any time you have in whatever ways serve you the most. Get outside, remember to breathe, and give yourself a break this weekend! If you’re searching for some more inspiration, take a look at these ideas.

A world of opportunities and events open up when the warmer weather comes around in the UK. We could all use some fresh air and sunshine after this winter, so no matter what, we can all be sure to show gratitude for the moments we can spend outdoors this weekend.

1. Check out the events happening over the weekend! With everyone getting out and about in this warmer weather, there are endless events to get into this weekend. For a more in-depth look at our options, this 10 Unmissable Things to do This May Bank Holiday should help! And don’t forget about the annual Cheese Rolling Festival in Gloucestershire on Monday!   

2. Catch up on cultural experiences. If you’re feeling some art, theater, or music this weekend, take a look at This Week’s Best Art for some inspiration!

3. Dig into some incredible food. There are so many wonderful things to be said about experiencing life through food. Many of us learn about ourselves, other cultures, and create community with food! This weekend, dive into your favourites or try something completely different! Make your own creations, check out some local food festivals, or explore some incredible restaurants.

4. Take a day trip! Change scenery in a matter of hours, whether in the car or on the train, try going for a day trip this weekend! See how you feel in different surroundings. This list of day-trips should help spark some inspiration.

5. Wander the parks. We are beyond lucky to be surrounded by some of the most incredible natural beauty that has been preserved and is now on perfect display for spring! Check out your favourite classics or try getting out into unfamiliar territory this weekend! Here’s Britain’s Best National Parks- and How to Visit Them!

6. Get outdoors. In whatever way that appeals to you most, whether it be hiking, biking, walking, or running, just get outside! If you’re looking for a little adventure, check out these Seven wonders of British Springtime

7. Spend some extra time with those you love. This year has been full of some pretty great ups and downs already. Take this time to be mindful and surround yourself with those you love, even if they are far away. When we take stock of the people in our lives, everything we worry about seems to fade away, even if that’s only for a weekend.

If you’re still searching for some great activities, check out this list of 17 Brilliant things to do during the May Bank Holidays as well as 50 Fabulous things to do this spring and finally, 10 Great British Spring Breaks!

Whether you get to every activity and more or you spend the weekend catching up on sleep, be sure to keep your self-care in mind. This weekend, take time to do exactly what you feel, exactly what your mind and body are asking for. Take the time to listen- and share what you find!

What will you be doing this weekend? Do you have any tips or suggestions? Share in the comments below!

Happy sharing!

-Sam

Many of us have most likely heard the term “fast fashion” in a negative sense, but we haven’t fully looked into what it means for us. Fast fashion refers to how most of our clothes have been made in increasing quantities at cheaper price points, gathering speed since the 1990s. We have begun to understand the ramifications for this kind of clothing culture over the past few years and in many ways, have begun to amend these systems.

Our values as consumers are changing and companies are starting to listen. With more and more people turning away from short-lived apparel and towards higher quality, more sustainably made items, companies that have been based around fast fashion are showing their ability to change, but it will most likely be difficult for the “fast-fashion concept to use high-quality, eco-friendly fabric and not create mass waste.”

If you’re more keen to buy some new clothes for this spring and summer, try adding an “ethical filter” to your shopping trip with some of these tips!

1. Look at your budget. Many of us think that buying more sustainably-made clothes will be much more expensive, but this is not necessarily the case! In many instances, buying fast-fashion can end up costing us more in the long-run.

2. Take a look at your current wardrobe. For some guidance on how to tell if your clothes are ethically made, take a look here! Do your clothing choices need more work or are you actually doing better than you thought?

3. Sharing is caring. Charity shops are a great place to start and feel safe about not supporting the fast-fashion structure. Buying second-hand clothes helps us to remember that there is a life-cycle to everything and that nothing truly goes away once we clear it from our wardrobes.

4. Recycle! Donating to charity shops is equally important, giving another life to something we no longer use rather than tossing it is great. There are also some great clothing recycling services you can use.

5. Repurpose. If you’re feeling creative, you can even try your hand at craftiness and even make these clothing items into something else! Check out these 40 Mindblowing Ways to Repurpose Old Clothing for some inspiration

6. Find the ethical stores around you! Buying handmade is wonderful when you can find it and it can fit your budget, but finding the stores and brands around you that source ethically made clothes is a great step in the sustainable direction!

7. Be mindful. Remember that in today’s fast-fashion filled world, it can be difficult to shop ethically all of the time. It is okay to make allowances and for it to take time for changes. Keeping ethical clothing in mind and spreading the word about the benefits is incredibly important.

8. Begin to build an ethical wardrobe! Committing to these 5 habits will help to weed out the clothes that we don’t need and the clothes that do not support a sustainable clothing system. Take a look and see how well you can do!  

We have to remember that all we can do is our best and that is okay. Being aware of how we all shop, where we buy what we do, and the kinds of systems we are supporting this spring can truly make a difference, so let’s all try to be a little more sustainable in our shopping this season!

Share your thoughts, experiences, and tips about fast fashion and sustainable shopping in the comments below!

Happy sharing!

-Sam

Photo by: Jason Briscoe

As hearty soups are being replaced with fresh salads and the weather gets warmer, we may feel changes in our routine, feelings, and even our eating preferences. We are able to stay out later, breathe more fresh air, and even feel a little more sunshine! Our bodies react to the changing of seasons, even including the foods we feel like eating. Are our bodies trying to tell us something?

Over the years, our bodies have adapted to best suit our environment, helping guide us to the nutrients we most need. This still happens, whether we listen to these instincts very well or not. Our tastes and preferences shift with the seasons to help our bodies thrive in each changing condition. “During the springtime, we lean towards more detoxifying light foods, like leafy greens and citrus. In the summer, it’s cooling foods like fruit and raw foods. The fall is all about grounding root vegetables and nuts. During the winter, it’s more warming, oily, heavy foods, like meat and dairy.” -Damien Fanish

Is it ‘better’ for us to eat seasonally? Eating with the seasons usually means we have a higher chance of eating the food that was grown closer to us geographically. No matter the season, when we eat food grown more locally, there is a higher chance that it is fresher, full of more nutrients and less chemicals. When we know where our food comes from, we often have a greater awareness and appreciation for what we are putting into our bodies.

Most of us don’t know when our food is in season. For the most part, we have become so detached from our food sources that we have come to expect fresh fruit and veg year-round without a second thought as to how it got to us. Here in the UK, now is the time! Springtime is the perfect chance to understand and even see firsthand where our local food comes from!

How can we start?

1. First, we can do a little research. There are so many ways to go about finding out where our food comes from, when it is most available, and where to get it; all we have to do is ask. Now is the perfect time.

2. Find out what our barriers are. If budget is the main thing holding us back from even considering shopping for locally grown produce, we just need to dig a little deeper! If location or transport are the issue, there are quite a few helping hands to take a look at!

3. Try growing something of your own! If you’ve ever been curious or even needing a push to get back out there, now is the perfect time to try your hand at growing your own food. Take a look at this monthly guide to gardening for some motivation and guidance!

4. Find the markets nearby. Farmer’s markets are the best way to find the farmers- and the food. If we can’t make it to the farmer, there are quite a few new apps and services that brings the fresh, local food to us!

5. Listening to our bodies. Spring is all about discovery, detoxing, and healing. Listening to our bodies is one of the most crucial ways to start. When we pay more attention to what our bodies need, we can set a more solid foundation for our health.

6. Have fun! No matter the weather or location, we can take advantage of the resources around us (especially the food.) This spring, we can all be a bit more adventurous and try to shake up our eating habits by getting back to our roots!

Let us know your thoughts about eating seasonally in the comments below!

Happy sharing,

-Sam

Last week was National Pet Week, a time to celebrate the pets in our lives and even to reevaluate how we are doing as pet owners, pet lovers, and even for those of us who love them from a distance. So, now that the week is over, how are we doing for the rest of the year?  

There is no way of getting around it, pets are a massive responsibility and should be treated as such. The number of pets we now own are showing that we understand this, dropping dramatically over the past few years. While this may be a sign that we are taking the responsibility seriously, it may also be a sign of “too much red tape” combined with our constantly shifting, moving, and changing lifestyles. Where younger families were once the primary market for pets, many are now opting out.

With the money, space, and time we are now expected (and want,) to give to our pets, many pet owners and pet lovers have been using technology to fill in the gaps. Pet sharing has become a necessary piece of the pet care community, allowing pet owners to find people they trust to be with their pets when they cannot, while also helping people who can’t own their own pets to be around the animals they love.

Pets become a vital part of our lives and our families. They support us, care for us, love us, and teach us in more ways than we can describe. The lessons we learn from having animals around us, both as children and adults, are invaluable. They bring some of the most important moments, relationships, and learning opportunities that stay with us throughout our lives, something we cannot replace with hobbies or after-school activities.

We can all learn from the animals around us, using these lessons in our daily lives a bit more often.

1. Be present. We’re all so busy thinking of what will happen tomorrow that we often forget to think about what is happening right now, in this moment. Take a few moments each day to breathe and just look around. See what happens.

2. Love as unconditionally as we can. Animals often show us how to love without walls, expectations, or judgements. Imagine how our worlds would change if we could show that kind of love even to ourselves. If we could master loving ourselves fully and completely, maybe then we could then show that kind of love to others: without walls, expectation, or judgement.

3. Make time to rest. Pets often give us the reminders we need to rest, to take care of ourselves, and allow ourselves the space to just be.

4. Be responsible. When we are caring for another being, we are reminded of how much bigger our actions are than just impacting ourselves. We can often forget how tied to one another we are and that our potential for caring for one another is larger than we think.

5. Play and be silly! Pets often witness us being our true selves, in the moments other people don’t often get to see. They let us share our playfulness, without judgement. Pets can help us to bring our joy and silliness, leaving everything else on the side.

Whether we have them in our lives at this moment or not, pets have the great potential to impact our lives in ways no one else can. We can take this responsibility seriously by learning from them, growing from what they teach us, and sharing that knowledge with others.

Share your experiences, wisdom, and thoughts on pets in the comments below! We can’t wait to hear them.

Happy Sharing!

-Sam

Photo by Teddy Kelley

Whether we see it in our immediate surroundings or not, data is showing that collectively, we are drinking less. Young adults who are teetotal has increased by 40% over five years and around 80% of older adults say they are making an effort to drink less.

Drinking has become so embedded within our culture that it is nearly impossible to figure out what factors could be impacting our habits more than others. Where we live, how much money we earn, and how old we are all seem to have a large role to play in understanding what is happening here.

With awareness and acceptance of events like “Dry January” continuously increasing, we are seeing the option of drinking less as acceptable realities. Social events that do not include alcohol are becoming more prevalent, creating a lot of interest in the spaces where heavy alcohol and drug use are typically the norm, like festivals and even bars.

Drinking is such a massive part of our social lives that for many of us, it feels completely out of the question to envision life without it, and that is okay too. Drinking is not necessarily “bad” for everyone. The age-old motto “everything in moderation” rings true here and a little alcohol in our lives can actually be good for us!

The bridge between “everything in moderation” and an average perception of people who do not drink can be wide and difficult. In many instances, we assume that when a person chooses not to drink, this signals a problem. We tend to assume that abstaining from alcohol means they have a problem. In today’s world where more and more people are choosing not to drink, that dynamic is changing. It is important for us all to remember that there isn’t necessarily a problem in deciding to not drink.

So why don’t we all stop? It is safe to assume that we all know the risks and the medical advice. We know what we have been told that we should be doing. Increasing awareness and accurate information is helpful, but when we’re thinking about making any type of lifestyle change, we have to dig deeper than the facts and figures.

Where could we start?

1. We can have honest conversations. We need to be able to talk about our drinking habits and how we truly feel about them, both with ourselves and those around us. If we aren’t honest, how can we even begin to think about making any decisions that are true to how we want to live our lives?

2. Take a step back. We can all take a moment (or a few,) to think about when we drink and why. Do we drink because everyone else is? Because we love it? Because it makes us feel welcome or comfortable?

3. See our judgements. When we think about how we feel about drinking, our perception and feelings of others typically come into play. We tend to tie a lot of value into whether someone chooses to act in similar ways to us or not, and drinking is no different. So, we can take a moment to think about how we feel about others drinking (or not drinking.)

4. Find what fits for us. Without judging ourselves or others, we can look at what makes us feel the best, the healthiest, and the happiest versions of ourselves. There is no one right way to do this, we have to discover it for ourselves- and remember to accept others’ choices as well.

5. Try making small changes. Whether the goal is to drink less, stop, or to continue in the exact same habits we have, it can be helpful to shake things up a little from time to time. When we tweak and experiment with our choices, we learn a little more about ourselves.

6. Be patient! Lifestyle changes, especially one that carries such a great weight within our society, take time. Wherever we are is okay, we just need to keep ‘where we want to be’ in mind.

Let us know what you think about drinking habits of the future in the comments below!

Happy sharing!

-Sam

Photo credit: @Yutacar

The great “spring clean” we all think of has been shifting in many ways, adjusting to the new ways in which we live our lives and what we now need to shed our winter habits and prepare us for a more active spring. Many of us don’t even consider these habits as preparing or refreshing our lives because they no longer look like the typical spring clean. So, why do we feel the need to clean out our lives for spring?

In many cultures, including the United Kingdom, spring cleaning has its roots in wiping away the soot and stuffiness that were kept in homes by the fires and boarding up habits that were necessary for surviving winter. With time, technology has transformed and allowed us to change how our homes feel, from the temperature to how and when we clean them, without completely transforming the spaces in which we live for each specific season.

Our busy lifestyles have also changed how our homes look and feel. Where there were once heavily regarded schedules for weekly cleaning duties, we now outsource or clean based on when we have the time. We often overlook the potential benefits of aligning our homes and our habits with the changing of seasons.

If we take time to understand our needs and spring clean in the ways that fit each of our lives, the potential for spring cleaning (in our own ways,) is much greater than merely cleaning out the refrigerator. If done tailored to us, spring cleaning can increase our productivity, boost our energy levels, help to keep us healthier, improve our mood, reduce stress, and improve our focus. There are incredible benefits to figuring out the best ways to spring clean for you this year.

So, how can we take advantage of this year’s new and improved spring clean?  

1. Being mindful of our habits. Is there anything in our lives we wish we didn’t do or did more of? We can take this opportunity to structure our homes to promote these goals! If we want to drink more water, we can place more fun and interesting water bottles around the house and in the places we spend the most time.

2. Take inventory. Being honest with ourselves is best here, asking ourselves what is taking up space, what is wasting our time, and what is stressing us out in our homes and our lives? The answers might be uncomfortable and hard to come to, but listening to ourselves is key. We know what we need, now we just need to make decisions accordingly.

3. Baby steps. If we start by going through one room at a time, we are far less likely to get overwhelmed and quit. Rejuvenating our lives and our habits can feel painful at first, so we must remember to be patient with ourselves.  

4. Bring in more nature! We can all use more plants and less chemicals in our lives. Whether it is replacing our cleaning supplies with natural alternatives, eating more fresh veggies, or having more plants in the house, our minds and our bodies will definitely thank us.

5. The art of letting go. When we detach ourselves and let go of what no longer benefits us, we make space for the new things, people, habits, and spaces that are trying to come into our lives. Letting go can be painful and difficult, but focusing on what we can now be gaining can help us to shift our perspective.

6. Try not to toss! When we let go of something, it is important that we think of where it will go after us. There are many incredible outlets and resources for donating, sharing, or selling things we no longer want. This spring clean, we should all give them a try!

Let us know how you’ll be spring cleaning your life and your space and share any tips or tricks you find to be helpful! We can’t wait to declutter with you!

Happy sharing,

Sam

Spring is the season celebrated for the natural growth that surrounds us, both in nature and within ourselves. This is our time to declutter, clarify, and make changes in our lives that will align us with the lives we want to be living.

May is National Share A Story Month, allowing us the perfect opportunity to share all that we have learned, are learning, and all that we hope to achieve.

Why should we share our stories? “Simple: nothing else works.”

An incredibly impactful way of moving forward in our understanding of ourselves and the world around us is to share our stories with others. In order to tell our stories, we must first take a step back and reflect. When we shift our attention and give space to understanding where we have been, we heal even more.

When we share with others, we’re not only sharing the knowledge, we’re sharing parts of ourselves. These moments of sharing are invaluable and have the potential to impact others in ways we could never imagine. Not only is there this two-way healing in sharing, there is also a ripple-effect when we share our stories. When we open ourselves to others, they are more likely to share their own stories with others in the future.

Stories constantly surround us and help to dictate the decisions we make, what and who we trust, and how we view ourselves and others. This month, we can all make an effort to understand our own stories more fully. What is it we want more clarity on? How are we telling our stories now? Are they the stories we want to be telling in the future?

1. Re-evaluate. First, we can give ourselves the space and time to actually think about the stories we’re already telling. We then need to determine if they ring true for who we see ourselves to be and where we see ourselves going.  

2. Simplify. We often get stuck in the magnitude of our lives. While we are incredibly complex creatures, we also have the ability to boil our experiences down, to condense our message to others and to ourselves.

3. Pay attention your audience. When share, it’s important that we learn from those we are sharing with. Each person brings different perspectives, questions, and lessons to us, we just need to listen.

4. Embrace the vulnerability. Telling others about our lives and sharing true parts of ourselves is incredibly difficult because we are vulnerable. This can feel very scary, but we have to remember that this is where the greatest growth can come from. “You will either step forward into growth or backward into safety.”  

5. Listening to ourselves and others is key here. Storytelling requires that we be bold, to bravely share and give of ourselves, but it also requires us to dive deeper into ourselves and learn more about who we are. We are never perfect and we never will be, but we can commit to our growth through sharing with others and ourselves.

Take this opportunity to share with those around you, be it friends, family, coworkers, in person, or anonymously! Use Viewsbank as a platform to share your stories, big or small! We can’t wait to hear what you have to say!

Happy sharing,

-Sam

After nearly 10 years since what we have called the “share economy, sharing economy, or collaborative consumption,” has come into the public eye, many of us are now closely familiar with these tools, but there continue to be fears and mishaps surrounding how these platforms and services work exactly.

Collaborative consumption has always existed. People have always borrowed and shared their goods and services, but it has never been so widespread or so accessible. We can now lend our cars, homes, and time to complete strangers, bringing many of our collective trust issues to light. These platforms were founded during the recent financial crisis, so people can own less, yet continue to use the things we might need.

We now have the opportunity to take a step back and think about whether or not we should purchase something or whether we could trade, borrow, or share with others. This opportunity has allowed us to buy less and share more. We have realised that we do not need to own everything in our lives, that in many instances it would be more effective to use something that another person owns. We have also been able to see that when we do own something, it can be well worth it to lend it to someone else when we are not using it.

We’re buying less and becoming more sustainable. In many instances, we are now putting more thought into the ‘things’ that exist in our lives and shifting our lifestyles accordingly.

What do our members think? Over 75% of people think the sharing economy is either positive or potentially positive, however, there are quite a few concerns that remain. Trust appears to be one of the biggest hurdles to being a part of this new structure of trading goods and services.  

Trusting strangers has and will likely always be an incredible barrier for most of us. The sharing economy has many wonderful benefits, but without trust and a shared respect for one another, the system cannot truly work. While there are those who have broken this trust, it appears that “it’s actually surprising how little it goes wrong.”

When thinking of sharing some of the most important spaces in our lives with strangers, such as our homes or our cars, it can seem incredibly risky and daunting. However, it seem to be that the first time is always the most nerve-wracking. We have created many safety nets within the sharing economy that helps to create a safe environment for this sharing to take place. Because we use our technology for these trades, our transactions are safer than ever before, both in our money and in the people we are trusting. The platforms for sharing carry out background checks on each party involved and you can even do your own research on who you might be sharing with!

All of these things come together and allow us to build trust. It is likely be that the sharing economy will continue to be part of the mix, simultaneously fitting into and shifting other parts of our economy. With these shifts, we are being pushed to become more aware of what we are using, what we are purchasing, and how we can reach an end goal collectively. To do this, we must have trust. We can all do more to build trust in our communities and it all starts with the seemingly small actions that each of us takes every day.

How can we build more trust on a daily basis?

1. Be mindful of what your word means. When we become more thoughtful of what we say to others, our word becomes more powerful and truthful. “Keeping our word” carries a different meaning when we continuously strive for trust and honesty with ourselves and others.

2. Listen to others. When we take the time to listen to what others are saying, what they need, and how they view others, we can move forward with them accordingly, doing our best to build trust instead of misunderstanding.

3. Take time making decisions. Being more thoughtful in what we say yes to

4. Show gratitude. Treating others’ actions with respect shows those around us that we see what they do for us. When we acknowledge the

5. Help others whenever you can. Doing something for someone else with no benefit to yourself instills trust within others. Kindness goes much further than we think. Try helping just one person each day, however you can!

6. Don’t hide feelings! Trust requires openness and this includes our own feelings, both the good and the bad. Hiding how we feel creates boundaries between us and others, while sharing how we feel opens new doors we never thought possible. Everyone feels the ways we do. When we hide this, we do a disservice to ourselves and others.

7. Be patient. It takes time to build trust, especially when we’re looking at entire communities. Do your best, others will follow.

8. Get involved in the sharing! Try swapping, loaning, and sharing! See how it feels to provide a service to someone and to use something from someone else. Take a leap, trust in a stranger.

Let us know what you think about sharing in the comments below! We can’t wait to hear your voice.

Happy sharing,

Sam

The general feelings of springtime are typically along the lines of growth, re-birth, longer days of sunshine, and being outdoors. However, for many of us, this season carries a very different meaning with sneezes, itchiness, and being locked indoors.

It is estimated that around 10 million people suffer with hay fever in England alone. Our members at viewsbank echo the reach of this issue, with Nearly 40% of our members suffer from hayfever regularly. For those of us who do not feel the negative impacts of pollen, it can be difficult for us to understand how plans and feelings about being outdoors in this season may be different from our own. This spring, we can all do our best to understand if and how we can support those around us more effectively.

There are many theories about why hay fever is on the rise, including the fact that our climate patterns are shifting, causing there to be more pollen present, which is further intensified by air pollution and potentially even our recent habits of disinfecting our environments, weakening our immune systems. Whatever the cause, more and more of us are being negatively impacted by the plants around us.

So, how can we treat it? If you are feeling the impacts of hay fever for the first time this season, there are many ways to begin treating your symptoms, but many of these treatments do not focus on the long-term solution of lessening the actual allergic reaction. Quite a few people have found methods of not only treating, but ridding themselves of hay fever altogether. There is no single-pill solution for this, however, gradual and consistent changes and practices seem to have great potential.

Whichever methods we find work best for our lifestyles, it is important that each of us can still find a way to enjoy the outdoors! There are many helpful tips and tricks that may require more work in the short-term, but allow us to enjoy the fresh spring air we need!

How to enjoy the outdoors if you (or those you love) have hay fever this season!

1. Do some research: first, know exactly what you’re allergic to. When you know what affects you, then you can move forward with a plan of action and still enjoy the rest of the outdoors!

2. Be able to identify these allergens by sight. Knowing what you’re allergic to and when it is present allows you to understand the kinds of places you can venture to without all of the sneezes!

3. Pay attention to the pollen count: this will help you to understand how best to plan your days as well as how to plan your protection! You can take a look at the forecast here!

4. Plan your outdoor time accordingly: “Peak pollination times for grasses are in the afternoon to early evening, so outdoor exercisers and gardeners who are sensitive to them may want to avoid these times. Dawn and dusk are the worst times for people with tree pollen allergies.”

5. Be patient. For many suffering with hay fever, quite a few remedies or treatments have been tried. This can be very frustrating, especially if you are still suffering. Doing your best to remain open to alternative solutions could help you to find what works effectively for you!

Let us know your tips and tricks for this hayfever season in the comments below!

Happy sharing!

-Sam