Staying strong

There’s no doubt that we’re living in unsettling times. The shock of world events and the reality that viruses spread globally has given us all a lot to worry about. We’ve had to make changes to plans, take care over hygiene and even worry about how we say hello to dear friends – do we bump elbows, touch feet or simply wave? And it’s surprising how changes in routine and uncertainty can throw our wellbeing off course. It’s why I’ve tried to make sure this issue focuses on lots of positives. Our feature Always Look On The Bright Side! (page 34) has some great advice to help us get that ‘glass-half-full’ feeling. Equally, our stories about finding happiness at home (page 29) show how tasks as simple as cleaning, organising and baking can have a positive effect on our mental health. It’s so important to find happiness in everyday life, and there’s nothing more delightful than seeing a butterfly flutter past. Turn to page 47 to find out what plants to grow to make sure you can look forward to the joy of seeing butterflies in your outdoor space this summer. And if you’re in need of some inspiration for keeping strong in difficult times, take a look at our VE day stories (page 36). There’s a real sense of resilience about these women, and you can’t help but greatly admire them and their famous war spirit. Knowing how the country kept going in times of adversity is a great lesson for us all, and never more fitting than now. Stay safe and well.