Take time out on Breathing Space day

Jan 29 2013 by Iain Howie, Perthshire Advertiser

Big County residents are being urged to take a break from the stresses and strains of modern life this week.

Taking time to relax is the key message from Breathing Space Day on Friday, and public bodies are doing their bit to help out.

Tomorrow, the Breathing Space ‘AdVan’ will be stopping off around Perth, including SSE on Dunkeld Road, Perth Leisure Pool, the AK Bell Library and at McDiarmid Park.

Perth and Kinross libraries will be running displays of mood-boosting books and resources, with a special free talk on mental wellbeing from Breathing Space’s Tony McLaren at the AK Bell Library at 2pm. The talk is open to all.

On Thursday, events will be held in Crieff and Aberfeldy. From 9.30am to noon wellbeing-promoting information and activity with refreshments will be on offer from partner agencies at Strathearn Community Campus.

A talk by author Nicola Morgan on dealing with the anxieties and stresses of teenage life has also been organised for S4 pupils at Crieff High School.

From 1.30pm to 8.30pm, Aberfeldy’s Breadalbane Community Campus will provide ways to boost mood, ranging from resources in the venue’s library to sports and exercise sessions run by Live Active Leisure, including gym inductions, football, yoga and netball.

Blairgowrie will be the focus for events on Breathing Space Day itself, with the AdVan in the Wellmeadow. Also scheduled are a wellbeing walk between 2pm and 3pm, depending on weather.

Activities and information will also be available at St Catherine’s Community Centre in Blairgowrie from 2-5pm.

Perth and Kinross Council’s housing and health convener Dave Doogan said: “I am very pleased that there will be a range of events on and in the run up to Breathing Space Day around Perth and Kinross to raise awareness and remind us all to take the opportunity to take care of ourselves.”