Navigating championships

Lots of activity in this area this weekend as the Scottish Orienteering Championships takes place close by.  The event parking is at Cultybraggan - a former army site and prisoner of war camp now owned by Comrie Development Trust.

If you are looking to improve your navigation skills, orienteering is a good place to start.  The event taking place on saturday has course suitable for beginners as well as those at the elite end.  You can turn up and have a go on the day with a range of courses available to cater for a spectrum of expertise.  The event itself is centred on the woodland and hillside around Auchingarrich Wildlife Centre where there is a newly built cafe with stunning views across Strathearn.

So, if you are wondering how to spend your saturday - here is a chance to brush up skills and be part of a larger event with some 600 others competitors.

What's it worth now?

So, we have our new politicians installed with a historic majority in the Scottish Parliament, and the potential to tackle some of the BIG issues of our time.  Top of the agenda in recent elections has been the economy. 

Interesting then see an email today from the  Business 7 group highlighting the impact of poor mental health on the workforce and economy. They are encouraging support of the Dismissed? campaign being run by the Scottish Association for Mental Health. 

A new report by them, What’s It Worth Now? suggests mental health problems cost Scotland’s economy £10.7 billion per year, and that £2.15 billion of that cost is incurred by employers through sickness absence, lost productivity and staff turnover. At any one time, nearly 1 in 6 employees is affected by a mental health problem such as depression or anxiety.

 With mental health affecting so many of us either directly or indirectly, it is good to see some practical solutions proposed for encouraging a mentally healthier workforce.  Amongst the recommendations are to:

 'Wherever possible ensure staff have access to sunlight and fresh air at regular intervals. ' 

A further recommendation is to:

 ' Encourage staff to take their full lunch break, and to leave their desk during their break' 

I couldn't agree more.

For those who have tried Nordic Walking, you will recognise that this is something that can be easily fitted into a lunch break with the added benefit of you getting access to sunlight and fresh air! Another report out today sings the benefits of nordic walking.

Even if the working week is very pressured, it is good to build in small steps to keep yourself fit both physically and mentally.  Half and hour a day can really help keep that Doctor away.  This doesn't have to be all in one go, try two lots of 15 minutes or three lots of 10 minutes if you are pushed for time.  So promise yourself a daily dose of fresh air. Give your self some breathing space outdoors.

Changes

Today,  change is upon us.  Gone are the blue skies and balmy weather of the past few weeks as rain moves in and reminds us we are still in springtime.  Changes are needed though and without the vagaries of our seasons we would all live in a poorer world.


As votes are cast, I can't help but wonder what other changes may be afoot.  Will it be a Gray day tomorrow or will Salmond run the river again?


Which ever way it goes, I do hope we see a commitment to our great outdoors from the next incumbents   of our Scottish Parliament.

Meantime, if you are looking for a change then come along to the next nordic walk on Friday 27th May 2011.  It is a great way to get some all round fitness and enjoy some fresh air.