As a born and bred country girl I don't need any excuse to escape to the countryside but having written Summer at Skylark Farm, about city girl Amber who transforms her life after leaving her urban lifestyle and career behind, I thought there might be a few of you who need some encouragement to embrace the great outdoors so here goes…
Heidi Swain
Fresh air
Less people, fewer cars and wide open spaces = fresher, cleaner air. Find a secluded spot, sit down and breathe deeply. Inhaling a lungful of fresh air and breathing mindfully is an instant stress buster.
Reconnecting with the landscape and tuning into the seasons
How many times a day do you take the time to admire the landscape and notice the changing seasons? It's all too easy to get caught in the cycle of moving from one air conditioned space to another without looking at anything beyond our phone screens. Take time out in the countryside to really observe the flora and fauna and even the weather. A spot of cloud watching never did anyone any harm!
Star gazing
You'll be amazed by the country night sky. Less light pollution means more stars. Best observed when lying down to avoid neck strain, wrap up warm, spread out a blanket, lay back and enjoy the galaxies.
Enjoying country pursuits, crafts and hobbies
If you find it hard to sit and relax, then don't force it. Use that energy to learn a craft or skill that's connected to the countryside. An online search will offer up everything from pottery to beekeeping, fly fishing to wood carving.
Peace and quiet
Alternatively, if you prefer to sit with a good book then do what I've done and book yourself a country holiday. This year we're camping in a 1960's Airstream caravan in the Suffolk countryside and we don't intend to do a thing!
Pick Your Own
We don't all have the space to 'grow our own' but there are farms up and down the country who throw open their gates to give us a taste of gathering a harvest and the best bit is you get to eat the lot! Nothing beats the taste of a freshly plucked, still warm succulent strawberry.
Foraging
If you enjoy the PYO experience then go foraging. Depending on the time of year you can gather seaweed, elderflowers, mushrooms or berries. However, take care - ask for permission where necessary, never eat anything unidentified and be respectful of how much you take.
Birdsong and wildlife
The British countryside is jam packed with wildlife and birdsong, much of which the great British public can't identify at all. Draw up a list and head off into the wilds to see what you can spot.
Escaping to the country this summer, whether for a few hours or a few days will recharge your batteries, replenish your energy levels and soothe away the stresses and strains of modern living, but don't take my work for it. Get out there and enjoy yourselves!
