MB1980
UTC Legend
Many things well said here MB. I think the mindfulness thing has a lot of merit too which is really Buddhism based which itself gives a lot of help in how to manage and improve mental health in all kinds of situations. Not easy to practice but then the simple things never are. A lot of good authors out there, but I found Wherever You Go There You Are by Jon Kabbat-Zin particularly relevant/practical.
Just as an aside- I was at Stanpit yesterday morning shortly after dawn, ostensibly to photograph Wheatear dropping through on their migration North, but in that post-dawn golden light and birdsong all around I thought it was a mindfulness treasure trove.
Funny enough mate after some googling around, I read 2 of his books when the mindfulness movement piqued my interest 10 years back.
Kept up the routine for about a month really should revisit it now, as a fair bit of stress at present.
I also buy into the stoicism thing. Basically at high level, you can't always 'control' external events, but you can somewhat condition yourself to how you react to them.