In this episode, Linda and Caroline provide those listeners in the UK with some advice to help enhance their experience of the unique run of long weekends we have during the Spring of 2023. If you’re outside of the UK, this episode still provides some important tips to help navigate changes that may occur during any special holiday periods you are lucky enough to celebrate. 
Linda discusses how important it is to allow ourselves to enjoy rest and not feel the pressure to ‘do’ the whole time. She invites you to do these celebrations YOUR way. She also provides some great advice on what to do when you’re feeling especially tired during longer periods of celebration.
Caroline supports the dogs by talking through the importance of rest and balance - how quiet time is needed amongst all the celebrations and excitement. She also shares how music can help support our dogs when loud activities are happening near to home. Finally, she discusses the importance of some small elements of fluidity in our dog’s routines year-round, so that they find it easier to cope with these sorts of changes.

What's inside this episode?
00:00 Introduction
00:45 The stress of BIG occasions.
01:18 The advantage of good weather that allows us to socialise outside.
03:43 How special this run of time is.
05:00 Give yourself permission to rest.
06:00 The importance of balance for your dogs.
08:12 How much sleep does a dog need?
10:00 Fluidity in routine for our dogs.
11:45 The importance of bedtime routine to help us ease into sleep.
12:50 The cues we provide to our dogs that help them to predict what’s happening next.
14:50 Why giving children time to rest is important too.
15:50 Dogs need breaks for effective learning.
16:30 The sad news that a lie-in doesn’t help us feel more rested as adults.
17:56 Power naps over lie-ins.
19:11 Helping your dog through unique celebrations such as street parties for the King’s Coronation.
21:10 Sounds that can help ourselves and our dogs to block out unwanted noise.
23:05 Why familiarity in music can be more relaxing for humans.
25:32 Caroline's "Just One Thing"
25:50 Linda's "Just One Thing"

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Caroline Wilkinson is a Certified Animal Behaviourist. She is a Full (assessed) Member of the APDT and INTODogs – as well as a Registered Training Instructor (ABTC). Caroline is also a Certified Real Dog Yoga Practitioner and an Applied Canine Zoopharmacognosist. Caroline writes for Pets Radar, as well as a number of trusted pet brands. She also speaks around the country – presenting workshops and webinars with a focus on living more mindfully alongside our canine companions.
Dr. Linda Blair is a Chartered Clinical Psychologist, Chartered Scientist, Associate Fellow of the British Psychological Society and registered as a Practitioner Psychologist in the Health and Care Professions Council. She trained at Harvard and the Institute of Psychiatry in London, and has offered cognitive behavioural and mindfulness-based psychotherapy for over 40 years in the NHS and privately. She has also taught various aspects of psychology at the University of Cambridge and the Open University.