CityLife

Set a Saturday aside to unwind with a ball of wool

WOUND UP: Relax at Manchester Art Gallery

CREDIT crunch, economic downturn, pension squeeze, job cuts: with language like this dominating the news headlines, it's no wonder Britons are feeling unusually tense.

And it's in the spirit of recognising that we're all on the edge of tearing our hair out that Manchester Art Gallery is opening its doors for a strictly stress-free 24-hours on the last Saturday of March.

On Stress-less Saturday, visitors to the gallery can get involved in group knitting sessions, body percussion workshops and even singing classes - each one designed to help us all unwind.

According to John Boyington, head of mental health for the NHS North West and director of the Mental Health Improvement Programme, a quarter of us now experience uncommon levels of stress during our lifetime.

Serious distress

Mr Boyington adds: "People need to care for their minds as much as their bodies.

"We hope that Stress-less Saturday will help people to reflect on the need for creative expression as a tool to look after your mental health and give visitors the opportunity to try new ways of relieving tension.”

According to Manchester Art Gallery, knitting is currently one of the 'most relaxing and rewarding hobbies in the world'. Even A-listers Cameron Diaz, Kate Moss and Sarah Jessica Parker like to fill their downtime with knitting and purling.

But it's not all about peace and quiet. For those who prefer to shout it out, there's plenty of opportunities to be rowdy, too.

Body

Music sessions will help visitors to creatively sing out their stresses, while the body percussion workshops will teach participants how to make music with their bodies (keep it clean CityLifers...).

According to the organisers, even inhaling and exhaling can produce 'beautiful sounds'.

"Art galleries have long provided a calm environment where people can unwind away from daily tensions and frustrations," says councillor Mike Amesbury, executive member for culture and leisure in Manchester.

"Hopefully Stress-less Saturday will encourage people to visit cultural places like Manchester Art Gallery for relaxation and help them to think about the importance of finding time for creative activities within their busy lives.”

Stress-less Saturday is at Manchester Art Gallery on March 28 (1pm-4pm). Entry is free.