Gifts should be meaningful, so we've gathered together the best on offer this Mother’s Day

Mother's Day is a time to reflect on the things that the mothers in our lives do for us, to celebrate their roles and to celebrate the power of the relationships we share.

If you chose to do this with a gift, the key to getting that right is to find something that has meaning – whether that be through tapping into a shared interest, anticipating a need, or by offering a prompt to put themselves first.

So, here, we’ve gathered together eight of our favourite gifts that bring wellbeing, mindfulness, and self-care to the forefront.

1. Two Chimps Coffee, On Amother Level coffee

Sitting down with that first steaming hot cup of coffee in the morning is a delight to behold, and it’s even better when the coffee you're sipping comes from an independent, carbon-neutral roastery. The limited-edition Mother's Day coffee from Two Chimps is blended with notes of shortbread, lemon, and blackcurrant, making for a comforting and uplifting experience.

(£9.95, twochimpscoffee.com)

2. ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’, by Rachel Kelly

The fifth book of poetry by writer and mental health advocate Rachel Kelly, You’ll Never Walk Alone is a beautiful, collection of poetry, covering a range of styles and topics. Bringing together poems for each moment of life, including the experience of motherhood, this collection is a beautiful addition to any bookshelf.

(£16.99, waterstones.com)

3. BakesterBox, baking box

Baking can be such a joy. Not only does it result in tasty treats, but it also comes with a load of mental health and wellbeing benefits, too. The baking boxes from BakesterBox come with everything that you need to create beautiful bakes, from butterscotch and rye nut tarts, to cream tea baking kits, and a marbled chocolate cheesecake. Buy a one-off kit, or set up a subscription for a monthly box.

(From £10, bakesterbox.com)

4. Babbel, language class subscriptions

For mums who never want to stop learning, a subscription to the language learning platform Babbel includes everything she will need to embrace the challenge of learning a new language. The membership c

From white noise to music and meditations, we’re rounding up six sleep tracks to help you drift off tonight

The idea of playing some kind of sound to help you fall asleep may feel very 2023. But, when you think about it, drifting off to soothing sounds isn’t entirely new. Humans have been singing lullabies for millennia, and there’s something about repetitive, gentle sounds that really help us to switch off.

For some people, playing sounds as they fall asleep helps them to focus on something other than anxious thoughts, or worries about what the next day might bring them. For others, the sounds can help combat the distractions that come with living in built-up areas. But, whatever the reason behind it might be, the genre is booming right now.

Interested in trying something new tonight? We’ve brought together six sleep sounds to help you find your perfect bedmate.

White noise

White noise is a sound that contains all the frequencies across the spectrum of audible sound. It sounds a bit like the static you might hear on an untuned TV or radio. There have been several studies into what makes this seemingly uninspiring sound so soothing for some people. The results have been mixed – it works for some, and not for others – but when it does work, it has been found to be very effective, with one study from The National Center for Biotechnology finding that adults fell asleep 38% faster while listening to white noise.

Classical music

Studies have shown that music that has 60 beats per minute, about that of a resting heart rate, is shown to have a soothing effect on our minds. Now, technically that opens the door to music across the genres, but the thing about classical music is that it doesn’t contain distracting lyrics, and depends much more on movement and melody – elements that enhance relaxation.

Guided sleep meditation

Meditation is a fantastic tool for relaxation and wellbeing, and it’s a growing area of content, which means that you can find plenty of guided meditations designed specifically to help you fall into a deep and restful sleep. This example, from Jason Stephenson, will help you to slow down your breathing, let go of stress, and find a sense of serenity. Plus, the addition of the rainforest sounds adds another dimension to the relaxing soundscape.

Sound baths

Sound, or gong, baths have been used for healing since ancient times, with some records suggesting they go back as far as 16,000 B.C. One study, from 2017, found evidence to sugges

Pursue a piece of history as you focus on the present and explore the outdoors with this thought-provoking pastime

A fantastically fun activity to indulge your curiosity and unleash your inner Indiana Jones, embrace the outdoors next time you’re at the coast, and spend some time scavenging for timeless treasures.

A snapshot of life, typically thousands of years old, fossils are often found in sedimentary rocks such as sandstone, limestone, and shale – or sometimes even slate. They are formed when sediment falls over the remains of organisms, as the layers build and compact over years, it forms solid rock that preserves them.

You can hunt for fossils at any time of year, but you’re most likely to be successful over the winter and spring months, due to more bracing weather eroding the rock formations around the coastline. And while you’re out breathing the fresh air, completely focusing on the task at hand, you can just ‘be’ in the present, and allow the stresses and pressures of normal life to leave you in peace for a short while.

Ready to try fossil hunting for yourself?

Things to look for:

• Focus on the details. See if patterns, marks, or regular lines in rocks catch your eye.

• Wet stones often highlight the marks of fossils better, so they’re easier to spot. So it can be helpful to watch for clusters of rocks by the water’s edge.

• You might not always find a ‘complete’ fossil – some might be partial, or the edge of one, so ensure you’re not overlooking these fascinating finds as well.

Some of the more common fossil types to spot are:

Ammonites

Probably what you instantly picture when you think of a ‘fossil’, ammonites are historic sea predators that resemble coiled snail shells. They were similar to squid creatures, and can often be found in Dorset.

Shark teeth

It’s reported that these are often found on the Essex coast, and some can be as large as your hand!

Sea urchins

These could be up to 450 million years old, and can range in size from similar to a Brussels sprout, right up to a grapefruit. They are some of the more common fossils, but can be hard to spot.

Gryphaea (Devil’s Toenails)

Originating from oysters, these fossils have a claw-like appearance, and are often found off the coast of Yorkshire.

What is a spiritual awakening, how do you know the signs, and how do you embrace this newfound shift in how you see the world? We answer your top questions about spiritual awakenings (and how you can find support in your journey)

Spirituality can have different meanings to different people. Generally speaking, it involves recognising a feeling, sense, or belief in something greater than yourself. This could mean that you feel there is something more to being human than what you experience physically through your senses, and/or that you feel like we are all a part of some greater whole which is cosmic or divine in nature.

Unlike religion where there is often a specific, organised set of beliefs and practices typically shared by a community or group, spirituality may be more of an individual practice, focusing on a sense of purpose and peace.

What is a spiritual awakening (and what does ‘having a spiritual awakening’ mean)?

For many, a spiritual awakening is a call to a higher consciousness and state of deeper mental awareness. This process typically shifts your worldview, transforming you on a personal level and shifting your mindset.

It can be called by different names (enlightenment, bliss, or discovering nirvana). It can create feelings of both being unnerved or uncertain at first, as well as wonder and excitement. Our modern idea of a spiritual awakening in the western world was first made popular by psychiatrist Carl Jung, who described it as coming back to the original self.

What triggers a spiritual awakening?

A spiritual awakening can be caused by many different things. Big, life-changing events such as the death of a loved one, serious illness, or divorce can trigger a spiritual awakening, as can traumatic or near-death experiences, or an existential crisis. Other common triggers can include mental health crises and midlife (or quarter-life) crises.

For others, there may be a more subtle, gradual shift without a clear catalyst. Practising activities that promote a greater sense of self-awareness are thought to help activate a deeper conscious awareness. These can include:

• mindfulness
• meditation
• caring for and connecting with plants or animals

But how do you know if you are having a spiritual awakening?

What are the signs of a spirit

A chance to slow down, be creative and connect with nature’s beauty, mindful drawing is our new favourite activity. Here we talk to artist and author Amy Maricle to learn more

I started drawing back in 2020, during the first lockdown. I was taking a break from my side-hustle after experiencing burnout and needed something to keep my creative mind busy that was not related to work, and drawing fit that bill perfectly.

Following online classes and doodling flowers became a habit and it helped me tap into a whole different side of creativity. I found the whole process really calming and became interested in how drawing and mindfulness can come together. So, when I was offered the chance to speak with Amy Maricle, artist, former art therapist and author of Draw Yourself Calm, I jumped at the chance.

“I use a lot of the mindfulness skills that I learned in my work to help people,” Amy tells me.

“It's really about slowing down and approaching art in a very process-oriented way so that it's inviting and grounding. I find it really helps me and my students to open up to their imagination because things move more slowly, it's less judgemental and it's just way more fun.”

Before speaking I had started working my way through the book, learning more about what mindful or ‘slow’ drawing is all about and having a go at some of the exercises. A key part of the process is tuning in to how you’re feeling, connecting with the breath and taking notice of what you’re doing. Amy explains that noticing the way the pen feels in your hand, the bumps in your paper, the sound of the lines as you draw them, can all help you sink into a calmer, more meditative state.

And this is what mindfulness is about, at its core. Paying attention to the present moment and allowing yourself to get absorbed by it. When we do this, ruminations about the past and worries about the future can fade into the background. As someone who struggles from anxiety from time to time, cultivating moments like this is paramount.

Inspired by nature

As I was working my way through the book, I noticed the patterns were largely inspired by nature. From the soft and wispy milkweed pattern to the intricate cobble design, many of the exercises imitate nature’s own stunning patterns.

Discussing this influence, Amy explains that she’s always been inspired by nature and felt lucky to live close to a nature reserve during lockdown in 2020.

“I live in an area with access to a small nature preserve. It is right on the side of the highway, so it's not so quiet, but it's very close to my house. I know I am extremely fortunate, and I go to that nature preserve often. During the pandemic, it was my medicine, along with my art.”

Amy wondered how she could support others during the pandemic and realised, mindful drawing could be it. She started holding live mindful drawing sessions on Facebook for people to join and it was really well received, and in time she was approached abo