OF course, you will know that June 16 was a momentous day. It was then that the rivers in England ended their “closed” season and were open again for fishing. Maybe it is because I am an Aquarius that I love water.

At any rate, on Sunday afternoon I took myself down to the Avon at Pershore to fish for a couple of hours.

I am not a good angler. I have cheap tackle and don’t bother with hi-tech baits. A tin of spam and some sweetcorn will do for me, just like when I was a kid.

And I did catch a nice chub, but that was about it.

I’m telling you all this because, in these difficult times, we all have to find our best ways to relax and re-energise. For me, to sit on the riverbank, surrounded by beauty and nature, is my relaxing space.

As the river flows gently past, I perhaps feel that my troubles are flowing along with them. It’s is also well know that greenery and being outside is good for your mental wellbeing; so water and countryside were just the tonic. And whether I catch anything or not, I feel refreshed when I head for home.

Fishing itself is a very ‘mindful’ pastime. Mindfulness is all the rage at the moment. We are encouraged to take a “mindful moment” and to focus on our breathing. And the internet abounds with countless mindfulness meditations.

So as I sit on the bank watching my rods for the slightest quiver, I am fully in the moment. No extraneous thoughts invade my mind. Time seems to fly by. I know non-anglers can’t understand this but if you look at your watch at all you will find that hours may have gone by without you noticing.

None of this, of course, means that your problems disappear, but to have a break from thinking does you the power of good.

I know it is hard to switch off sometimes, so my advice would be to find something for you which allows you some mindful space. It is always good, if just for a few moments, to breathe and relax.