April 2026 – Created Curated by Sara Brown

I am sure everyone has read or at least seen the book Don’t Sweat The Small Stuff by Richard Carlson. ( In fact this has become a well used phrase and he was actually awarded a trademark for bringing it into American pop culture.) Carlson started his career as a psychotherapist and ran a stress management centre and went on to be considered one of the foremost experts in happiness and stress reduction in the United States and around the world.

His first book Don’t Sweat The Small Stuff was released in 1985 and went on to be published in 135 countries and translated into thirty language, spending over 101 weeks on the New York Times Best Seller’s List. Carlson wrote a further 20 books before his sudden and tragic death at the age of 45, on the 13th of December 2006, from a pulmonary embolism during a flight.

Following Richard’s death, His wife Kristine was to become a speaker and author focused on navigating grief and finding joy. Whilst trying to come to terms with his loss, she pored through 25 years of love letters from her late husband. One letter was to stand out, this had been written on their 18th Wedding Anniversary. This letter attempted to answer the question: if you had one hour to live, what would you do, who would you call and what would you say?

This was so much more than a love letter to his adored wife on their Wedding anniversary. Going beyond the love for his wife, it’s more about how we should be living everyday of our lives. To live fully in the moment, having no regrets and reminding those you care about, how special they are to you. Carlson says that the Rat Race is an illusion. That many people spend their lives chasing happiness. But if we slowed down, happiness might catch up with us.

An Hour to Live, An Hour to Love is a deeply moving book that shows the importance of treasuring each day, as the incredible gift it is and to make life choices based on what is actually important. He says that if his time could be lived again, that less time and energy would be spent wanting things he didn’t have and enjoying what he already had.

This short book did make me realize how much I take for granted the people and things that mean the most to me. This is one of the lesser known books by Richard Carlson, but it’s one of the most personal and heart rendering of his many books. Coming from a wonderful man who devoted his life to helping others lead better lives. Ironically, his premature death really does affirm the message of his work to live to enjoy everyday of your life. I loved this book and highly recommend it to you.

Kristine has continued with the work they started together, her website is below. I receive newsletters from her and always find these very helpful.

https://kristinecarlson.com

I love a cup of tea, I think many circumstances start to look so much better after a nice cuppa. Over the last couple of years though there has been a bit of a revival where tea is concerned.

It’s becoming increasingly used as a healthy, relaxing alternative to alcohol with many choosing tea to replace the ritual of drinking, especially during sober months like Dry January. It’s proving a popular substitute as it provides comfort and relaxation with the added benefits of better sleep, improved hydration, and no hangovers.

Research from Mintel suggests that due to the cost of living crisis, many people, particularly in the UK, are choosing a “posh cuppa” as an affordable alternative to costly alcohol. Upmarket Supermarkets like Waitrose have always stocked a wide range of teas but the mainstream supermarkets have all followed suit.

Did you know that research shows that as many as 28% of young adults in the UK do not drink alcohol. The Sober Curious Generation Movement is all about examining the role of alcohol in your life and exploring a healthier relationship with it by reducing intake and practising mindful drinking, and building community with like-minded individuals to enhance mental & physical health.

Something a lot of people don’t talk about is how much routine and ritual plays a role in drinking alcohol. When pouring that first, or second drink becomes part of your daily routine. When you’re looking for a drink to help you unwind at the end of the day consider adding a glass of cold tea rather than wine,spirits or beer to your evening ritual.

It can be far too easy to just reach into the refrigerator to grab something you can open and enjoy immediately. You might think it’s too much work to fill the kettle, wait for the water to boil, and steep a fresh cup of tea every time you want something to drink. Keeping a jug of home-made tea in the fridge can be a great substitute and there are some really interesting blends available. I add ice and fresh fruit and herbs to my blends it’s a bit like having a mocktail but with more health benefits.

You can use Herbal tea or speciality blends in the usual way, hot (or cold) or cold brew using tea leaves or herbal infusions steeped using cold water rather than hot. You do need to leave Cold Brew teas overnight so a small amount of prepartion is required, but its worth it.

There are some wonderful Tea somailers to follow online and many of the smaller tea brands have some great ideas to try on their websites. One of my favorites is Bird and Blend- https://www.birdandblendtea.com/

Tea tasting is becoming a popular experience in the UK, offering workshops, specialized courses, and professional certifications. You can attend tasting workshops in cities like London, Leeds, Cambridge, and Manchester to learn about blending, brewing techniques, and flavour profiles.

So why not give it a go!