- GPS Coordinates – N54.98620° / W2.42231°
I felt my lungs inflate with the onrush of scenery. Air, mountains, tree, people. I thought, ‘This is what it is to be happy.’” — Sylvia Plath
March 20th is International Day of Happiness – a day that aims to make people around the world realise how important it is to be happy. In 2011, the United Nations General Assembly resolved to recognise happiness as a “fundamental human goal” and called for “a more inclusive, equitable and balanced approach to economic growth that promotes happiness and wellbeing” stating that progress is not just about growing the economy but about increasing human happiness
International day of happiness is recognised every year on the 20th March and the first was observed in 2013. 10 years on and it feels like it’s never been more important to focus on our mental health and wellbeing.
Here are a few facts about happiness
If you join Steve and me at Hadrian’s Wall Campsite our happiness is sure to spread to you. This is our happy place. We feel so privileged to live and work here and with the 20th March soon here, what better time to look at the reasons that this place can create such joy and wellbeing.
The sunrise and sunset.
“Clouds come floating into my life, no longer to carry rain or usher storm, but to add colour to my sunset sky.” ― Rabindranath Tagore
We never fail to be in awe of the beautiful skies as the sun makes its appearance in the morning to welcome a new day and the glow of the orange skies as we say goodbye to the sun at night. This is familiar to many of us who can’t resist the urge to get our cameras out when we see that wonderful spectacle. In fact, the term “sunset” has over 300 million tags on Instagram.
The emotional feeling of awe can be a difficult feeling to elicit but studies have shown that taking time to appreciate the wonderful daily rhythms of the planet such as the dawning of a new day and the sinking of the sun into the calm of night is awe inspiring and that is linked to an improved sense of wellbeing with an increase in positive emotion and enhanced positive social behaviour.
It is even suggested that this kind of experience could be “prescribed” to help with mental health management. What better place to get your daily prescription than here at Hadrian’s Wall Campsite where you are treated to the wonderful skies every day.
The stars
Be glad of life because it gives you the chance to love, to work, to play, and to look up at the stars –Henry Van Dyke
Speaking of awe inspiring – the stars here in Northumberland will always give you that wow factor. You will look at the sky in wonder and this will take your mind away from the stresses and anxiety of everyday life.
While you’re staying with us, get your happiness from the stars and visit The Twice Brewed Inn for one of their stargazing events
Birdsong
Everybody loves birdsong. It’s a human need………the sound of birds gives a deep, if sometimes unnoticed pleasure
You can read our birdlife post to see how lucky we are with the birdlife on our site. Every morning we wake up to a chorus that never fails to impress. All around the site you’ll see so many birds and the air is filled with their song
A survey commissioned by the RSPB this year has found that listening to birdsong makes people feel happier. 91% of those taking part in the survey reported that seeing birds and hearing their song has a positive effect on their wellbeing and the more birds there are the better, so Hadrian’s wall campsite is perfect for hanging out with the birds and feeling happy
There are a number of reasons why researchers believe that listening to and seeing birds makes us feel so good and happy. It usually signals the arrival of spring when nature starts to come alive again and it also represents an environment which the birds choose to be in because it’s a healthy one.
From an evolutionary point of view, over thousands of years, people have learnt that when birds sing, they are safe and it’s reassuring and relaxing.
So, just being on the campsite, listening to the glorious sounds of nature, can lift your spirits. But, to do a bit more exploring of nature’s glorious sounds, why not try an acoustic safari! Wild Intrigue is an eco-tourism enterprise in Northumberland offering a number of fantastic wildlife experiences including a guided tour of nature’s sounds at Walltown only 5 minutes’ drive from us.
With the use of technology and very fancy dishes and headphones, the sounds can be brought 10 times closer to your ears and other noises can be blocked out so you get the wonderful experience of the wildlife with a guide to let you know what it’s all about. Have a look at their information here https://www.wildintrigue.co.uk/mini-expeds/walltown-wild-sounds/
Cup of coffee!
In our little shop, we have a great coffee machine and great coffee from local coffee roaster mocha mondo https://www.mochamondo.co.uk/ so you can enjoy a good cup of coffee to start your day. We’re told not to drink too much coffee but while we know that caffeine increases our alertness levels, it’s not so widely known that it can help to improve our mood. Many studies have found this so it’s definitely important to have at least one cup. Coffee certainly puts a smile on my face every day.
“I never laugh until I’ve had my coffee.”—Clark Gable
It’s been great to look at the amazing things around us that come together to make this such a special place for us and to realise how much happiness it creates. They say that one of the ways to boost your mood is to write down three things that make you grateful in your life. I’ve just listed 4 for now and I do feel great.
So, on the 20th March and every other day at Hadrian’s wall campsite – happy International Day of Happiness from Steve and me
This is the perfect place for your Northumberland getaway. We have the most precious thing here, being surrounded by views and nature that make us smile every day.
All we want is for you to experience it also and we know you’ll love it as much as we do.
We want your holiday to be full of happiness and special memories – full of wellbeing- and we will always do our very best to ensure that happens.
A bit of nurture in nature.
