EDITED BY ELLEN TOUT

PHOTOGRAPH: BRECON BEACONS BY BETH SQUIRE FROM ‘LODESTARS ANTHOLOGY’; LODESTARSANTHOLOGY.CO.UK

"Dod yn ôl at fy nghoed" To return to a balanced state of mind; to return to my trees

WELSH PROVERB

Do you dream of a retreat in nature? Lodestars Anthology is an independent journal that explores one country every issue – an inspiring scrapbook of its natural beauty, as well as some of the characters who embody the heart of the nation, taking a personal, crafted and slow approach. The latest anthology is devoted to majestic Wales, celebrating its soaring peaks, dazzling waters, wilderness, song and lore, and has been created in collaboration with Visit Wales. The vision? Grab your backpack and a picnic and gaze up at the pine trees of the Brecon Beacons from a gently swaying hammock.

● ‘Lodestars Anthology: Wales’ (£14.99); lodestarsanthology.co.uk

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♥Our kindness project

‘Be kind’ neon light, £59.99, lights4fun.co.uk

A DOSE OF COMPASSION

Meditation provides emotional soothing for cancer patients, explains researcher David Hamilton

THERE IS GROWING patient-led and evidence-based demand for integrating complementary therapies into mainstream cancer care. Among these is meditation. Researchers in New York tested the effect of teaching a loving-kindness meditation practice to patients who attended a cancer centre to see if it delivered emotional benefits.* The practice involves developing feelings of compassion and kindness for oneself and others, using phrases such as ‘may you be happy; may you be well; may you be safe; may you be at ease.’

Cancer survivors who volunteered at the centre taught the meditation to patients – previous research showed that patients are more receptive to new practices if they are delivered by cancer survivors. Patients who learned the loving-kindness technique were more relaxed and showed clear improvements in their emotional wellbeing.