Malvhina Mental Health & Wellbeing

10/08/2026

Make some space for joy this week...even little steps for joyful micro-moments can help give you a little space from those overwhelming feelings 💚

05/08/2026

Since I began my journey to become an advanced wilderness therapeutic practitioner, I have developed a stronger sense of connection and curiosity about this planet and the life that thrives on it - Learning about the healing properties of herbs, foraging and traditional uses of natural materials.

Cordage is one of my favourite mindful activities. It connects me to nature, is creative, practical and calming. Last week I gathered some willow bay herb, curious to see how it works as a cordage material. I love the pink combined with the green!

Willow bay herb is an amazing plant! It’s known as a pioneer - seeds easily settling on ground destroyed by wild fires etc. The roots are deep, bringing nutrients back to the surface level and re-energising the soil for nature to take its course. The leaves can be fermented to make Ivan Chai tea and of course, the flowers are great for pollinators! 🌸

There are lots of tutorials on YouTube so maybe if you are interested in connecting with nature in a more practical and creative way, go and have a look! Nettles, brambles, rhubarb, banana skins are just a few materials that can be processed, dried and then used to make cordage. I’ve even used dead spider plant leaves!

30/07/2026

I was recently invited to facilitate some workshops at a wellbeing retreat. Participants were invited to connect with the beautiful woodland environment by mindfully using their senses to explore, roaming to the north, east, south and west of ‘Birch Meadow’.

The power of being invited to just stop, breathe and take notice is best summed up in their own words…

“Thank you for the opportunity to be myself”

“I discovered I can have faith in myself, see the simple things and stop overthinking “

“One thing I will take with me is to remember to stop, take notice and be present “

Their reflections below are so beautiful 💚

10/07/2026

I am often conflict by the word ‘overthinking’. Perhaps because it has been used with negative connotations in the past. But like many of us, I do find myself curiously evaluating situations and conversations. Often, this curiosity or ‘overthinking’ has led to a deeper understanding of myself, of others and/or of the situation. It has informed who I am and who I want to be. But, at times it has also led me to spiral and feel emotional and overwhelmed.
Learning to recognise when I am ‘overthinking’ and questioning why my brain is doing it, what am I afraid of here or just simply reframing the ‘overthinking’ in a more positive and logical way has certainly helped my sense of wellbeing. And brought me back to a sense of calm reflection x

When you’re overthinking, awareness is often enough to interrupt the mental loop and bring you back to yourself and the moment.

09/07/2026

On our busy days, our overwhelming days, the days that little voice says you have failed, look for glimmers of joy and give yourself a small reward for these are the days we need it most 💚

23/06/2026

Stay safe in the heat ###

☀️

19/06/2026

09/06/2026

You’ve got this. Keep going 💚

With

05/06/2026

💜🩵💜

11/02/2025

Happiness can sometimes feel elusive, especially when we are dealing with a lot. Happiness is "the silver linings that remind us that the light of day is always there, if we sit down to notice"

"One day you will realize that happiness is not what your house looks like, but how you love the people within its walls.
Happiness is not finding success by a certain time, but finding something you love so much time itself seems to disappear.
Happiness is not thinking you have earned the world's approval, but waking up each day and feeling so at peace within your own skin, quietly anticipating the day ahead, unconcerned with how you are perceived.
Happiness is not having the best of everything, but the ability to make the best of anything.
Happiness is knowing you did what you could with what you were given. Happiness is not something that comes to us when every problem is solved and all things are perfectly in place, but in the shining silver linings that remind us of the light of day is always there, if we slow down enough to notice."

Brianna Wiest, The Mountain is You
Art: unknown