Over the course of the pandemic, finding love has been more challenging than ever. From long stretches of time spent at home to the closure of bars and other places where you might hope to meet someone special, it has been a particularly hard time for singles. It’s no surprise, then, that so many people have turned to using dating apps. In fact, 2020 was the biggest year on record for dating apps, with 270 million global users and global revenue of $3.08 billion.
Today, it feels like there’s an app for all kinds of dating, whether you’re on the search for something casual or ready for a committed long-term relationship. During COVID-19, many users turned to apps for a sense of remote companionship, even though in-person dating was impossible. However, with the rollout of vaccinations and falling of COVID cases across the country, people are beginning to see a light at the end of the tunnel. With this light comes an appraisal of which dating app might be best to enter this brave new normal. Considering the price and potential of a few favourites, here’s a look at the cost of finding love through dating apps.
A SPIKE IN PAID USERS POST-COVID
According to Tinder’s chief executive, Elie Seidman, Tinder’s data reveals that new sign-ups for premium memberships have picked up when previous lockdowns have started to ease. This indicates that those casual users swiping somewhat aimlessly through potential matches for entertainment during lockdown become more serious when in-person dating is back on the table.
With an estimated 15 million single people in the UK and a reported 2.6 million people who say that they “often or always” feel lonely, it makes sense that more people are beginning to fork out for the real deal. When the current lockdown eases, paying users are predicted to increase substantially. The only question left is which app is the best value for money when it comes to finding your perfect match?
TINDER GOLD (1 MONTH) – £7.49 PER MONTH
The cheapest app, and the one that dominates the field, is Tinder. Users can enjoy a Tinder Gold account for under £10 a month in the hope of increasing their matches, both in quality and in quantity. With premium comes the option of more super-likes, one monthly ‘boost’ in which your profile will rocket to the top of other people’s lists, and the option to rewind if you make a drastic swiping mistake.
Who is it best for?
Generally speaking, Tinder is thought to be great for young people, especially those who live in big cities and are on the lookout for a more casual dating experience.
HINGE PREFERRED (1 MONTH) – £19.99
Looking to spend more in the hope of finding something more serious? Why not give Hinge a go? Hinge is an app which prides itself on the fact that its users don’t take things at face value. With prompts and questions as well as pictures, this app allows you to build up your profile with the intention of offering a more genuine, extensive reflection of the ‘real’ you. A latecomer to the dating app scene, Hinge has seen success throughout the pandemic, with almost half of its users (52%) having been on a video date over lockdown.
If you’re looking for something long-term and you have specific requirements in a partner, then paying for Hinge Preferred allows you to add additional filters and gives you an unlimited number of likes to use.
Who is it best for?
Hinge is generally targeted at 18–35 year-olds, but unlike Tinder, it’s generally more appropriate for those looking for a serious relationship. The app’s tagline, ‘designed to be deleted’, promises that true love is only one question or a single prompt away.
BUMBLE BOOST (1 MONTH) – £20.99
Next up, for those women who love making the first move, we have Bumble. Generally thought of as the female-friendly Tinder, Bumble requires its female members to initiate conversations once a match has been made.
Because of this, you can sometimes feel a bit rushed to get the interaction moving. Fear not – with Bumble’s premium account, Bumble Boost, you can extend your matches by 24 hours and give yourself a bit more time. Boost also allows you to re-match with expired connections and see everyone who’s swiped right on you.
Who is it best for?
Although it is largely thought of as a better option for long-term relationships than Tinder, it generally falls into the same category of being perfect for young daters who are looking for some flirty messaging and casual dating.
MATCH.COM PREMIUM (1 MONTH) – £29.99 PER MONTH
Things are getting serious now. Match.com is considered one of the more mature dating apps, although it is targeted at millennials and older generations alike. If you’re looking for a serious relationship after the long months of various lockdowns, then Match.com could be the perfect option for you.
With a premium account for just under £30 per month, you can utilise Match’s monthly boost feature which sends you to the top of other people’s matches along with a yearly review of your profile from the staff at Match.
Who is it best for?
Those who are looking to settle down and find a serious relationship. The largest portion of its users are in the 35-to-44 demographic, and account for 27% of its total users.
Whether you’re looking for a casual post-lockdown fling or you’ve already got plans to buy a diamond engagement ring in mind, perhaps it’s time to get serious. By investing in your dating app of choice, you might just find exactly what you’re looking for.
We probably don’t need to tell you that the global coronavirus pandemic has likely changed the way we live and work forever. Though many in the UK anticipate a return to the office at some point this year, experts predict that the majority of us will continue working remotely in some capacity for, well, ever.
As travel restrictions are lifted, we’re set to see the return, and the rise, of digital nomads. With a new found freedom to work remotely releasing you from the confines of a single city, where would you live and work if you could choose anywhere?
How about Portugal? Lisbon, the capital of Portugal, has long been well known for its reputation as a smart, secure relocation choice for freelancers and digital nomads alike. What’s more, earlier this year it was announced that the first digital nomad village in Europe was about to open on the tiny volcanic island of Madeira, offering a free workspace and a wonderful sense of community for those staying for a month or more. Whilst Portugal has always been attractive to digital nomads, drawn in by its agreeable climate, warm hospitality and fantastic food, that announcement has certainly improved the country’s appeal.
Once national and international law permits it, if you’re considering a fresh start, then here are 6 tips for digital nomads moving to Portugal.
CONSIDER ISLAND LIFE ON PONTA DO SOL
Let’s explore that Digital Nomad Village in a little more detail. The Village sits on the island of Ponta Do Sol and offers a free working space, access to a #slackcommunity and free internet access from 8 am to 10 pm every day, all hosted at the John do Passos Cultural Centre in the village centre.
Considering the logistics of entry, TripSavvy reveals more; “Remote workers coming from outside of the European Union will need to apply for a 90 day Schengen visa before arrival. You also don’t have to pay exorbitant amounts of money to participate, everything is pretty much at cost. Housing suggestions are offered on the site via Airbnb listings and hotels offering long-stay rates plus discounts and perks (like free breakfast) for village participants. Digital nomads can register to reserve their spot as we speak. To learn about Madeira’s COVID-19 protocols, check out the Madeira Safe to Discover website.”
For digital nomads tired of working alone and keen to meet like-minded people, this sounds like an appealing, convenient option. That said, one of the perks of digital nomadism is the freedom associated with it, to explore and engage with cultures and communities far removed from your own. Being on an island, Lord of the Flies style, in a dedicated digital nomad community rather mitigates this.
THE ALGARVE
Instead, have you considered the Algarve? Portugal’s southernmost region, the area nicknamed ‘The End of the World’ needs little in the way of introduction, but we’ll introduce it nonetheless. Blessed with idyllic scenery, and intoxicating and alluring in equal measure, the Algarve has put itself firmly on the map as Portugal’s flagship tourist destination in recent decades.
But it’s not just tourists who are attracted to the Algarve. Digital nomads flock here in droves to enjoy miles of beautiful coastline, luxuriating in the predictably warm weather but cursing the sometimes temperamental internet when they get here. It should be noted that accommodation in the Algarve tends to be on the more expensive side, and you’ll struggle to find anywhere affordable to stay during the region’s high season, between June and September.
That said, the cost of living is generally pretty affordable, and positively cheap compared to the UK. What’s more, the majority cafes and restaurants offer free wi-fi and the slow pace of life here means you won’t be disturbed over your espresso and emails. Should you have a car, the Algarve boasts some truly scenic roads. If you don’t drive, you might find the transport rather unpredictable here.
So, if you’re comfortable completing your work from a cafe, the Algarve could well work for you. If you need a more fully fledged operation in a rented apartment, perhaps you’ll find Lisbon better suits your needs…
IT’S ALL ABOUT LISBON
Lisbon boasts a reputation as being one of the best places for digital nomads to live in Western Europe, with a low cost of living, fantastic local food, loads of sunshine, a super-fast internet (17th in the world, if you’re asking) and warm residents, visitors will find a convivial way of life here which welcomes remote workers with enthusiasm.
The Alfama district is at the centre of Lisbon’s global community, with the Independent saying that “here, between the ancient houses that rise from the Tejo Estuary to the majestic Castele de Sao Jorge, you’ll find a community of young people from all around the world who’ve settled in the Portuguese capital and made it their home’’. Sounds idyllic to us!
Sure, you’ll need food to fuel those hours spent at co-working spaces or tap-tap-tapping away from your urban apartment, and rest assured, from sardines to bifana, and prego to pastel de nata, it’s a marvellous city to eat in. To help you get inspired (and no doubt hungry), here are some of our favourite things to eat in Lisbon, as well as some of the best restaurants to eat at in the city, including the cherished institution that is Cervejaria Ramiro, one of our favourite restaurants in the world! We’d move to Lisbon just to be closer.
NETWORK & MAKE FRIENDS
Being a digital nomad can get lonely, make no mistake. Luckily Portugal has loads of communities and networking opportunities for those looking to meet like-minded people on both a professional and personal level.
Some Lisbon networking groups you could join include Digital Nomads PT, Lisbon Digital Nomads and Lisbon Digital Nomads‘ public Facebook group. Alternatively, you can meet fellow digital nomads at the vast LX Factory complex, as well as Outsite Lisbon and the Second Home workspace, perched on top of the Mercado da Ribeira.
CONSIDER BECOMING IN RESIDENT VISAS
Should Portugal steal your heart and you decide to settle here for longer, new rules open up the opportunity to make Portugal your home full-time.
If you want to stay in the country for longer than 150 days, you need to register as a resident; if you’re from outside the European Union, check the applicable regulations that apply to where you’re from, though in general, Portugal is very amiable to foreign residents making it their home. UK citizens are advised to follow Brexit developments closely, as residency has become a little complex since the start of the year. That said, the Portuguese government are keen to welcome more long term visitors, and have made the process of moving there easier as a result.
As highlighted in Expat Exchange “the government of Portugal has brilliantly gone out of its way to attract tech startups and the tech talent that they know they’ll attract. They have added a special visa for anyone starting tech start ups.”
The scheme offers a more general Portuguese residency through investment, too. The programme, which is widely known as the “Golden Visa Programme” has recently had a change in legislation. Up until now, the majority of investment for Golden Visa has been focused on Lisbon, Porto and coastal regions in the Algarve.
However, they now want to increase foreign investment across all of Portugal. As such, the new changes that come into force in January 2022 mean that investment in retail property is only allowed in the autonomous regions of the Azores and Madeira or in territory inland. That said, the new law does not prohibit commercial investments, though these will continue to be allowed in Lisbon, Porto and the Algarve regions. Decisions, decisions.
GIVE BACK
Speaking of investing in the country, there are other ways to give back, too.
As highlighted by the Independent, the rise of digital nomadism risks having a ”corrosive effect on the fabric of Lisbon’s society and many traditional stores and bars that would have been cheap meeting places for locals are disappearing and being replaced with expensive cafes for English-speaking and foreign students.”
That said, it’s something of a double-edged sword, and can bring benefits as well as issues. They go on to report that “the city authorities are doing much to encourage this change – regulation is loose and taxes on short-term rentals remain low, as the city tries to stimulate the tourism industry to help tackle the still-high unemployment rates.”
If you’re planning on moving to Portugal, it’s worth considering how you can give back to the country in a meaningful way. Sites like Nomads Giving Back are on the rise, offering volunteering programs and useful advice on charities to support to help out. Bravo!
THE BOTTOM LINE
It’s easy to see why Portugal has become such a hotspot for digital nomads; the sun shines, the sardines sizzle, and the country’s government and people are enthusiastic to visitors. If you’re considering living and working in the country, then it’s essential that you tread lightly and respectfully at all times. In doing so, you’ll find that Portugal has so much to offer. Boa Viagem!
Ideal if you’re looking to eat your way around the Cyclades‘ captivating, crescent shaped island.
When it comes to making travel plans right now, Greece is the word tentatively on everyone’s lips.
With the end of lockdown restrictions in reach and freedom to travel again before the year’s out a distinct possibility, there’s a certain excitement in the air, make no mistake. Last month it was reported that Greece were in talks with UK to allow holidays using vaccine passports as soon as the summer, and this has lead to speculative, hopeful planning across the UK.
To quote a song concerning a different type of Grease, “we start believing now that we can be who we are”, and for people who love to travel, it’s safe to say that the belief has returned.
But where to choose in this glorious country made up of 6’000 islands? And how to narrow it down to just one? Well, Santorini is perhaps the most exceptionally beautiful, hugely cherished Greek Island out there, but we didn’t need to tell you that, did we? World-famous for its spectacular sunsets, whitewashed buildings, blue-domed houses and charming windmills, it’s been top of many an intrepid traveller’s bucket list for years now; could 2021 be the reason you finally visit?
Oh, and let’s not forget about its active volcano. We’re not going to pretend to understand the science but the volcanic soil of Santorini is rather special. As explained by Nau in Greece, “After the Minoan eruption in 1613 BC the whole island was covered in a thick, gray layer of ash and pumice”.
But why have we suddenly pivoted to discussion of volcanic expulsions, we hear you ask? Well, this ash and pumice “provides unique conditions that allow farmers to grow specific species of crops” and gives a unique taste – its terroir, if you will – to the island’s agricultural products.
As such, Santorini is a place where it’s really hard to get a bad meal. Though the food scene here is, of course, fuelled by its tourism to an extent, the island’s cuisine still celebrates its heritage and produce keenly. Here, modern flourishes interplay with a deep respect for tradition, and it shows on the plates of tavernas across the island.
If you’re hungry to learn more, here are 5 IDEAL foodie things to do in Santorini.
TAKE A TOUR OF ITS VINEYARDS
Due to the island’s dry and volcanic landscape and mineral-rich land, there are indigenous grape varieties only found on these shores – which of course lends itself to rare, delicious wines.
Assyrtiko is the first wine you should try in Santorini. Containing volcanic mineral notes and the intoxicating aroma of citrus fruit, it pairs brilliantly with fish and shellfish According to Decanter Magazine, “Assyrtiko is to Greece what Albariño is to Spain or Grüner Veltliner is to Austria”. They go on to say that “there really isn’t anything like Santorini Assyrtiko”, and we couldn’t agree more.
While the vine itself has travelled from Greece’s islands onto the mainland, the flavour profile seems to get less distinctive the further it travels from Santorini. Being so unique, it’s a tough one to quantify, but the tasting notes read a little something like this…
“If ever a wine justified the description ‘mineral’ it’s the dry white wine made on this volcanic island. It’s hard to describe the intense, sometimes pungent smoky, Volcanic smell and taste in any other way. It isn’t only the flavour of course: penetrating citrus, especially lemon and other signature flavour, sometimes with quince or a floral note. There can be a salty edge too. And then there’s the trademark acidity. And then there’s the trademark high Acidity. Assyrtiko has the ability to hold it’s tartaric acid in a hot climate.’’ Fascinating stuff.
While you can certainly imagine the wine from this detailed description, there’s nothing like tasting it for yourself first-hand, from where it’s made. So, head to one of the island’s wineries overlooking the volcano to do just that, and learn even more about the fascinating production methods and unique terroir involved.
The majority of tours host tasting sessions, with the two wineries which boast the best caldera views perhaps Santo and Venetsanos, both of which celebrate organic wine with volcanic heritage in the most glorious of settings.
The tour at Santo feels like a genuine steal; a guided tour of the winery comes with a tasting of five premium wines and costs just €40 per person. But perhaps even better value is Venetsanos Winery’s tour, which offers four wines and a lunch of traditional Greek meze spread using some of Santorini’s finest produce thrown in for good measure, all for €45 per person. Decisions, delicious decisions.
We should mention here that Santorini has a unique way of cultivating its wine. Remember that Minoan tuff and pumice we mentioned earlier? Well, it’s unique in the sense that it’s brought about by “anedosa”, a fog that covers the island every morning and ‘waters’ the caldera in place of more formal irrigation. All of this leads to a gorgeously exclusive, idiosyncratic product.
The guys from Elite Estates Villas also recommend trying the internationally acclaimed Vinsanto, a naturally sweet, sun-dried dessert wine. While red in colour, it is actually produced from overripe white grapes. The grapes are left to dry in the sun for about a week, giving the wine a heady aroma of raisins, dried figs, honey, nuts and hot coffee. Most of the wineries produce their own version of Vinsando which all taste very different – the perfect excuse for another wine tasting tour, we think.
LOOK OUT FOR THESE DISHES AND INGREDIENTS
That light lunch using Santorini’s finest produce? Let’s dig a little deeper into that distinctive soil….
While we’re on the subject of terroir, Santorini is known for some distinguished, specific local produce thanks to its volcanic soil. When you’re dining out, keep your eye out for these local ingredients and delicacies which embody the flavours of Santorini.
Capers – These little flower buds known for packing a punch grow wild all over the island, sprouting out from stone walls and along the craggy coasts. Thanks to the volcanic soil and the dry, windy conditions, the flavour of Santorini’s capers is intense. They are also larger than most capers in the region.
Fava – This is perhaps the most famous dish on the island. However, it’s not actually made from fava beans. Confusing, we know, but Santorini is known for growing yellow split peas, and the dish known as ‘fava’ is actually a yellow split pea puree. Bolstered with garlic and onion, and given richness by generous amounts of locally cultivated olive oil, fava has a similar velvety mouthfeel and flavour profile to hummus. Look out for its redolent yellow amongst a table of meze and dive in!
White Aubergines – Yet another rare product largely unique to Santorini, we can again thank the unique Santorinin soil for this delicious fruit (yep, it’s a fruit). White aubergines taste subtly different from the purple variety, lacking its sibling’s bitterness and not containing as many seeds. A must-try using the famous white aubergine is melitzanosalata, an aubergine dip similar to baba ganoush but without the tahini.
Tomatoes – Santorini is famous for a specific variety of tomatoes that grow nowhere else in the world. Similar in looks to an heirloom tomato, Santorini’s renowned cherry tomato is thicker-skinned, sweeter and deeper red than many other tomatoes. Take a trip to the island’s Tomato Industrial museum to learn more about it, and if you’re picking up souvenirs, Santorini tomato paste is highly revered globally. If you see Tomatokeftedes on a menu during your time here (you will), do order them – these are tomato and feta fritters which are downright irresistible.
Chlorotyri – A local cheese made from sheep or goat’s milk with a distinctive sour tang, chlorotyri is only made by local producers in small quantities and has an almost refreshing quality to it. Just delicious.
Kopania – Reminiscent of Chinese sesame seed snacks, these little bites made from raisins, milled barley and sesame seeds are fantastic alongside a glass of dessert wine, which, incidentally, the island does very well.
Apochti – another local delicacy is the cured pork loin carpaccio, Apcochti. Flavoured with pepper and cinnamon, there’s an enjoyable piquancy which calls to mind salami. Sometimes this cured pork product is made using wild boars native to the island.
DINE, COOK & GO WINE TASTING AT SELENE
If you’re on a gastronomic adventure (you are, that’s why you’re here), then look no further than Selene, arguably Santorini’s premier fine dining destination. With accolades including an entry on The World’s 50 Best Discovery list and Greece’s Food and Leisure Best Restaurant award, if you’re after haute cuisine with a firm focus on using only the finest local produce, then this is the place to come.
Selene has garnered a reputation for showcasing the best produce from Santorini’s farmlands, vineyards and olive grows. Oh, and they’re not bad with the stuff from the sea, too.
The restaurant has recently found a new home in Fira, the capital of Santorini, within the walls of a former monastery. Their dishes are refined, with a “contemporary spin on traditional recipes”, and although the global arbiters of good gastronomic taste Michelin don’t cover the Greek islands, Selene would be a shoo-in for a star if they did.
Selene champions Cycladic cuisine, culture and Santorini’s producers with their innovative menu, and if you’re keen to explore further, Selene also hosts cookery courses, ideal if you want to learn more about the culinary heritage of Santorini. The restaurant offers a short two hour session, a full day or an extended three day course, with prices starting at around €50 for the two hour session.
You’ll be taught about the unique agricultural products of the island and get an insight into the farming life of Santorini. Selene also offers wine tasting sessions where their expect sommeliers unveil the secrets of the volcanic terroir and local wine varieties of the island. You might even impress them with the knowledge you’ve accrued during the course of this article!
GET A TABLE AT ONE OF THE BEST TAVERNAS IN TOWN
To go to Santorini and eat exclusively in upscale restaurants would be a huge mistake. Though doing so is certainly one of the great foodie things to do in Santorini, there’s so much more to the food culture here than fine dining.
There are wonderful tavernas all over Santorini, serving up family takes on traditional recipe, keeping things respectful to the produce and its heritage. The Greeks like to joke that there is a grandma (yiayia in Greek) secretly behind the stoves of every great taverna, and when you find your favourite, you’ll understand what they mean.
Though the best taverna is often the one you stumble across when you’re particularly hungry, here are several which are certainly worth making the journey for:
To Psaraki(meaning ‘little fish’ in Greek) is considered one of the best tavernas for seafood in Santorini. The eatery overlooks Vlyháda seafront, the main fishing port which is rather curiously shaped like a question marked quay.
Since this is the main fishing port on the island and where the boats unload their haul, To Paskari naturally runs a menu which champions things from the sea. A glass of ouzo or a cold beer alongside some freshly caught, grilled sardines and their fresh bread flavoured with Santorini tomato puree is a must order.
Fish of the day options are priced by weight, and are, of course, as fresh as you like. For those with a sweet tooth, the restaurant makes baklava from scratch, and it pairs just perfectly with their homemade semifreddo. Bliss!
Touted as another of the best Santorini seafood restaurant,s while you’re in Vlyháda it would be rude not to visit To Steki tou Psara, which translates as the fisherman’s hangout. It’s been run by the same family for 20 years and true to its name, you’ll find locals and fishermen rubbing shoulders with tourists at the taverna’s tightly packed tables.
Aktaion is one of the oldest, most charming tavernas on the island. This place has been run by the same family since 1922, and although it’s tiny, it has some serious soul. The food is simple, traditional and delicious; the moussaka here, baked in a claypot as is tradition, is great, and if you’re a fan of pasta (who isn’t) there is an exemplary plateful using Santorini’s famous tomatoes and capers.
If you’ve had one too many Ouzos the night before, then a visit to To Koutouki tou Bekri is all but obligatory. They’re known for patsás, a kind of tripe soup that’s considered a common Greek hangover cure and is traditionally washed down with a glass or two of ouzo. Ah, that’s why it works.
BASK AT A BEACH BAR
Sure, you’re here for the food, but Santorini is an island blessed with some seriously idyllic beaches. Be warned; it’s not all golden sands and turquoise waters in Santorini. As the Greece luxury accommodation experts at Elite Estates tell us, ‘’The beaches at Santorini are not your typical Greek ones. The volcanic eruption of ancient Thira took its toll on this side of the island and its beaches seem to belong to Mars – they have a unique beauty, but they’re not the ones you’re used to seeing.’’
That’s not to say you can’t find a great place to kick back in the sun. Throw in a cocktail or two (not into the sea, silly), and a long, languid bask at a beach bar ticks all the boxes needed to see out your foodie holiday in style.
Some of the best beach bars and restaurants include Seaside by Notos, Mesa Pigadia by Akro (a much photographed restaurant housed in a cave) and Yalos Beach Bar Restaurant, to name but a few. Ya Mas!
THE BOTTOM LINE
A foodie tour of Santorini will reveal one of the most unique terroirs anywhere on the planet, with the island’s incredible produce and distinctive wine a product of its history, heritage and geography.
If you’re island hopping around the Cyclades and you’re hungry for more, then check out our suggestions for the IDEAL day out in Mykonos for foodies. We’ll see you on the sand for an ouzo?
Milestones? Money? Meticulously mapping out life’s journey? If this triple threat of contrived alliteration is enough to bore you to sleep, then we should warn you; middle age might come as something of a wake up call.
Here’s the rub; life isn’t all smooth sailing, and sometimes, it comes at you fast. And oftentimes, in your blind spot. There are certain things that you should be saving for in life, regardless of whether or not you see them on the approach. Nostradamus, you are not. Crystal ball, you don’t have. Prophesying, you haven’t yet mastered.
As we said, life moves fast; one minute you’re saving for a wedding and a baby and the next you’re making plans for funerals and working out your expenses for your retirement. But whilst you can’t predict exactly what the future holds, you can be prepared for anything life throws at you by putting away a little each month, in case of the following; these 6 milestone events in your life which you should be saving for.
A WEDDING DAY
The average cost of a wedding in the UK, as of 2021, stands at £30’000 according to Grazia. And whilst some can expect help with costs from their parents, many will need to fork out the majority of that 30K from their own pocket. Of course, the amount you put aside each month depends on when you envisage your wedding day being. Anticipate that you’ll be getting married in five years time, for instance, and you should be putting aside £500 each and every month of that time period in order to afford the thing.
And if you never plan to get married, you should still consider the fact that your children might. Which brings us onto…
HAVING CHILDREN
The UK is suffering from something of a conception crisis. With no evidence of coronavirus leading to the much talked up ‘baby boom’, the London School of Economics has, in fact, predicted a ‘baby bust’ in the near future, saying that ‘’this particular health emergency has been one of the most severe economic crises of the last century, with such events always being followed by a decline in fertility rates.’’
Whilst we wouldn’t want to contribute to these grim forecasts, in the modern era, the average cost of having a child in the UK is astronomically high; according to Money Dashboard, the little one will set you back £11’500 in the first year alone. Though some government support is available for single parents, it does also pay to put some money aside each month to help lighten the load of your new arrival.
A BROKEN BOILER
Yep, we’re really drilling down into the mundane aspects of middle age now, but a broken boiler isn’t something to be scoffed at or, worse, ignored. That would only lead to months of freezing cold showers and a general sense of malaise. On average, a new combi boiler in the UK will cost on average anywhere between £1’600 and £3’500, plus upwards of £500 in installation fees, new insurance and the rest.
You can mitigate the danger of this sudden expense by having yours serviced regularly. What’s more, the government may provide financial support in replacing your old boiler should you opt for an energy efficient version under their Green Homes Grant scheme.
BUYING YOUR FIRST HOME
Getting on the housing ladder has become increasingly difficult in the past eleven years, but with the UK government’s stamp duty relief and their Help To Buy scheme extension, you may not need to save up quite as much as you thought to buy your first home.
In the scheme, you can ‘’borrow a minimum of 5% and up to a maximum of 20% (40% in London) of the full purchase price of a new-build home.’’ In theory, all you need is a 5% deposit, with the breakdown on a £200’000 property looking something like this:
5% deposit (£10’000)
20% equity loan, provided by the government but repayable with interest (£40’000)
Better start saving for that £10’000 and the money to prove you’re financially secure enough for a mortgage, then.
YOUR RETIREMENT
We’re playing the long game here. We’ve sorted out our boiler, bought a house for it, and conceived a child just so we can saviour the experience of saving up for their wedding. Now, it’s time to focus on the financial burden of retirement.
Here’s some good news after an increasingly worrying list of financial projections; many people actually overestimate how much they’ll need for retirement, with a comfortable retirement achievable on around £19’000 a year, according to Which. To achieve this level of security, experts recommend you pay at least 10% of your annual salary into a pension pot.
2021 marks the second year of the United Nations’ Decade Of Healthy Ageing, which aims ‘’to improve the lives of older people, their families, and the communities in which they live’’ by coordinating a concerted effort by governments, civil society, the media, academic and the private sector to help the elderly enjoy a life of dignity and meaning.
The World Health Organisation defines healthy ageing as “the process of developing and maintaining the functional ability that enables wellbeing in older age”, and they suggest this can be done in five fundamental ways; by meeting the basic needs of the elderly, helping them make their own decisions, facilitating mobility, helping them build and maintain strong relationships, and ensuring the elderly both contribute to, and feel valued by, society.
There’s a danger in the modern world that many people assume the ageing process to be debilitating, but it doesn’t have to be. In fact, there are several things you can do to maintain good health and independence as you age. With healthy ageing in mind, here are 5 tips on living your best life in your later years.
STAY ACTIVE
As the WHO pointed out in their definition of healthy ageing,retaining your mobility is so important as you get older. Indeed, staying physically active will increase the chances of you being more mobile as you age. In turn, you can retain your independence.
Maintaining a gentle but committed exercise routine, taking a daily walk, counting your steps for added motivation, or even setting yourself regular fitness challenges can be a great way to prioritise exercise. Even gardening or a spot of pilates can do wonders for an elderly person’s fitness. If you’re keen to learn more, check out these ideas for the elderly to keep fit, which is packed full of useful suggestions.
HAVE ROUTINE CHECK-UPS
Medical issues can typically be resolved more easily if they’re diagnosed early, and as we age, the likelihood of aches, pains and underlying problems does, sadly, increase. Instead of waiting for symptoms to emerge, attend routine check-ups so that your doctor can monitor your health and offer any advice on proactive steps that you can take to keep fighting fit. If action does need to be taken, you’ll find that treatments tend to be less invasive, shorter and with fewer side effects when medical problems are caught swiftly.
STRIVE FOR A VARIED DIET
A healthy diet in your later years can (and should!) certainly include a few treats now and then, but it’s vital to ensure you’re getting a range of minerals and nutrients, too. The best way to do this is via a balanced but diverse diet full of colour and variety, which is not only the most nutritious way to do things, but also tends to be the most delicious!
A recent report by the World Health Organisation has suggested that many seniors could be at increased risk of disease because they do not observe a healthy, balanced diet, with malnutrition a real risk to many elderly people. Whether that’s because your interest in food has slowly declined or they struggle to cook a meal from scratch each day, there are fortunately ways to get your diet back on track and enjoy the process of ageing, healthily and gracefully.
Indeed, with a potentially decreased dexterity and slowing sharpness, whipping up a dinner from scratch which contains the requisite carbohydrates, proteins, fruits, and vegetables, can be tough. It’s worth bearing in mind that there are now several brands which cater specifically to ‘mature tastes’. All of this will provide an incentive for a cleaner, healthier eating experience and also hopefully bring more pleasure to day-to-day life by making mealtimes more enjoyable.
Eating enough fibre, to help with digestion, and calcium, to maintain healthy teeth and bones, becomes particularly important as we age. Foods that are rich in fibre include leafy, dark green vegetables, fruit (particularly pears and berries) beans, pulses and lentils, and nuts and seeds. To ensure you’re getting enough calcium, it’s prudent to include dairy products like cheese, milk and yoghurt, as well as even more dark green leafy vegetables, in your diet.
SOCIALISE
A fascinating recent report in the Guardian spoke about the importance of nurturing your ‘social biome’, which Jeffrey Hall, professor of communication studies at the University of Kansas, defined as ‘’the individual ecosystem of relationships and interactions that shapes our emotional, psychological and physical health’’.
As we age, this social biome tends to weaken, both in diversity and strength, which can cause real problems, health-wise. In fact, the article reported that there was increasingly irrefutable evidence that ‘’the best single predictor for your psychological wellbeing and health, for your physical wellbeing and health – even for your risk of dying – is the number and quality of friendships that you have.’’
Right now, the UK is suffering from something of a loneliness epidemic, and this is particularly pertinent amongst our elderly population. We’ve written previously about ways to remotely support elderly loved ones who are feeling lonely, and how to find help and companionship in your later years. Do check it out.
ACCEPT HELP
Accepting help when you need it is a critical part of healthy ageing. Rather than being a sign of weakness or decline, doing so can help you maintain your independence for longer, and is therefore one of the best things you can do.
From letting a neighbour do your shopping for you to asking a family member to arrange live in care, there are numerous ways you can get the physical support you need as you get older. Rather than soldiering on and potentially not living your life to its fullest, asking for and accepting help can enhance your well-being, help you to retain your independence and make the ageing process a far happier one.
THE BOTTOM LINE
Living your best life isn’t only a concept reserved for Instagram influencers. If you want to make the most of every day, prioritising your health and well-being is a good place to start. From staying active and socialising, all the way to considering live in care, there are plenty of ways to ensure later life is enjoyable and rewarding.
It’s no wonder they’re known as your ‘golden years’; by placing a focus on healthy ageing, the best really is yet to come!
Though there are a few islands in this part of the Aegean Sea which lay claim to being The Queen of the Cyclades, it’s Mykonos which quite rightfully takes the crown. Here at IDEAL, the famous island is one member of the royal family who we’re quite happy to kneel before. Fortunately, the sand is soft and inviting and the only investiture a golden, glowing suntan.
Whilst Mykonos is perhaps most famous for being one of the world’s most glamorous party destinations, beloved of the LGBTQ+ community, champagne sipping celebrities and aspiring influencers alike, it’s also an island rich in history, culture and culinary wonder.
Whether you’re Greek island hopping, visiting the Island of the Winds to get swept up in the renowned 24 hour party lifestyle, or you’re looking for a calmer time in Mykonos, one of the island’s key attractions is its food. With the glamorous party set comes swanky fine dining restaurants, sure, but you’ll find tavernas and tradition here, too. So, set aside a day for some foodie thrills, with this IDEAL day out in Mykonos for foodies; here’s where to eat in Mykonos Old Town.
BREAKFAST AT GIORAS
Greece is blessed with some of the best bread, pastry and other baked goods in the world, some savoury, some sweet and all totally delicious. The country’s natural affinity with water, flour, the charcoal grill and wood-fired oven is indisputable; historians widely agree that it was the Ancient Greeks who perfected baking as a profession, developing techniques learnt from Egypt and adapting them to suit larger scale, industrial operations. Along the way, they’re widely attributed with inventing the free-standing, pre-heated oven with a door as a way of optimising the process of baking.
Anyway, enough of the history lesson, we’re hungry. We’re basing our IDEAL foodie day out in Mykonos in Chóra, the maze of narrow streets that make up the absurdly picturesque Mykonos Old Town. Within the cobbled lanes and courtyards, and buildings rendered in whitewash and the iconic Cycladic blue, you’ll find some fantastic bakeries with a diverse range of traditional bread, such as Bobota, Psomi Horiatiko, Skorthopsomo, and of course, Pitta.
But it’s only morning and we’ve a long day of eating ahead of us, so instead we’re looking for a gorgeous Greek pastry for breakfast. Wondering where to eat in Mykonos Old Town? At Gioras, the oldest working bakery on the island, which dates back to the 18th century, you’ll find a rustic set up, with white walls, wooden beams and a wood-fired oven. You’ll also find freshly baked Spanakopita, a spinach and feta pie wrapped in filo pastry which makes for a fantastic breakfast.
Or, should you prefer something sweet to start your day, Melopita – honey pie – is served here. It’s a traditional Mykonian pastry, made with honey, cinnamon, and a cheese native to the island, Tirovolia, and is just delicious. Gioras bakery also does a superb version of baklava, if your sweet tooth isn’t yet sated; decisions, decisions!
Greece has a fantastic coffee culture, too, and there are several simple cafes lining the water in Chóra serving excellent cups of the good stuff. Vegera is a favourite; housed in a historic coffee shop and boasting gorgeous views of the water, the coffee is as good as the vista.
A MORNING ON AGIOS IOANNIS BEACH FOLLOWED BY A SEAFOOD LUNCH
From Gioras, take a short stroll through the Old Town, along Agiou Efthimiou to Fabrika Bus Terminal, where regular public buses depart to all of Mykonos’ main beaches. Tickets are cheap, – you’ll pay, at most, €3 for a one way trip – and departure times and destinations are marked clearly at the terminals.
Though the island has a reputation for high energy parties, Mykonos can do serene and secluded just as well. For a morning on the beach with a great restaurants close by for lunch, Nammos at Psarou Beach, Principote at Panormos Beach and Alemagou at Ftelia Beach are resorts and beach clubs with their own restaurants offering great healthy dishes with Mediterranean menus of, primarily, fresh fish and seafood.
But since we only have a day and we’re keen to stay close to the Old Town, we’re heading to Agios Ioannis beach this morning, which is just ten minutes by bus from Fabrika. Buses leave every hour, at 30 minutes past the hour from 9:30 to 20:30, though this is subject to change.
After a morning spent sprawling under the sun, a lunch at Hippie Fish will be well earned. Ignore the curious name; this restaurant sits in the most gorgeous location overlooking the sand and sea, and the menu is inspired by the latter’s bounty (thankfully, not the former, that would be gritty). Here, you can expect to eat sea urchins (a local delicacy) alongside freshly caught cockles and clams, and the restaurant’s superb shrimp and saffron risotto, too.
Oysters are also eaten enthusiastically on the island, and there are several nearby private beaches offering oyster tasting of produce handpicked by fishermen that morning. If you’re staying in a hotel, they’ll be able to arrange a lunchtime oyster picnic for you. Or, if you’re staying in one of Mykonos’ many luxury villas, then the guys at Mykonos Villas can arrange a private gourmet chef and a boat to your own private beach. That’s if you’re staying with the company, of course.
GRAB A LATE AFTERNOON GYROS AT LEONIDAS
Next on the IDEAL day out for foodies in Mykonos, we’re heading back to the Old Town for a spot of shopping and snacking. Matoyianni Street is the most famous street in the Old Town, full of cute cafes, bars and boutique shops. Here, it’s fun just to lose yourself in Chóra’s labyrinth of white-washed lanes, where every turn is a picture perfect Instagram shot, and discover your own favourite places as you go.
In the high season, which tends to run from late May to early September, it gets chockablock in Chora, with the tight, pedestrianised lanes easily becoming congested with tourists. Matoyianni Street is no exception, so it’s best to visit outside of its busiest hours, which are between 10am and 5pm.
Greeks eat late, typically between 8 and 10 pm, and many tavernas and restaurants aren’t open before 7pm, so you’ll need something to tide you over until then. Tired of the crowds, we’re ducking off the main pedestrianised shopping area in search of gyros, Greece’s favourite fast food. Similar to shawarma, kebab or even tacos al pastor, chefs slice lamb or chicken off a vertical rotating spit (gyros translates as ‘turn’) and stuff slices into warm pita. Finally, it’s topped with tzatziki.
There are several girádiko in town which are dedicated to serving the good stuff. Our favourite spot is Leonidas, next to Marietta’s Market and just a five minute stroll west of Matoyianni. The gyros here are exceptional and there are a handful of alfresco tables. Be warned; getting a seat is nigh on impossible. Fortunately, gyros are a real grab-and-go affair and can be enjoyed quite happily on the move.
Then, some more strolling and shopping before it’s time for a pre-dinner drink.
ENJOY AN OUZO AT KASTRO’S & WATCH THE SUNSET
Perhaps the most photographed and charming area of Mykonos, ‘Little Venice’ is a picturesque neighbourhood built on the sea during the 18th century, and perhaps the most popular part of Chóra. With restaurants and bars sitting right on the Aegean sea’s edge, if you think you’ve suddenly been transported to Italy’s famous city built on water, then you’re not alone – hence the name.
With the azure Aegean lightly lapping, literally, at your feet, and with views of Mykonos’ iconic white windmills behind, Little Venice is perhaps the most striking spot on the island. It’s not harmed by the fact that the sunset looks fantastic from here, so pull up a chair at one of Little Venice’s bars, enjoy a drink, and appreciate the view before dinner.
Greek has several spirits unique to the country, including a version of raki, tsipouro, masticha and kitron, but the dry, anise-flavoured ouzo is considered the national drink of Greece. The country has a keen ouzerie tradition; places essentially devoted to the art of pairing ouzo with nibbles, with cured octopus a particular favourite match to the cherished liquor.
Alternatively, the Mykonos luxury accommodation experts at Elite Estates recommend enjoying ‘’a small bottle of tsipouro; a local tasty and usually homemade strong alcohol drink’’, which you can find in several bars around Chóra…well, it would be rude not to!
Sadly, as money and tourism have flowed into Mykonos Old Town, the ouzeries have disappeared in favour of trendier joints, but many of Little Venice’s bars still have extensive spirits and meze menus, in the Greek tradition. Rather than shotting the stuff, locals like to drink it with a couple of ice cubes, which turns the clear liquor into an opaque, milky white, ideally accompanied by a few plates of mezedes.
The best place to do so with views of the bay and sunset is undoubtedly Kastro’s, which has a spectacular location right next to the water. If you can get a table in their narrow, alley-like dining space, do so. It’s just magic and one of Mykonos’ most iconic spots. Here, you can enjoy a few appetizers with your ouzo, including classics like taramasalata, calamari, Mykonian cheese rolls and steamed mussels, or you can have a more fully-fledged sit down meal.
Whilst we adore the location at Kastro’s, we’ll save our appetite for a larger dinner a little later, at Niko’s Taverna, just a two minute walk away.
A LATE DINNER AT NIKO’S TAVERNA, LITTLE VENICE
Niko’s Taverna is one of Mykonos’ most beloved institutions, untroubled by more modern gastronomic flourishes and proudly, resolutely traditional in its food and service; a surprisingly tricky find in Mykonos, we should add!
Here you’ll find Greek food cooked the old school way, with the taverna’s tables spilling out into the seafront square which sits in front of the restaurant and the atmosphere boisterous and convivial from early afternoon until late on into the evening. As we said earlier, the Greeks like to eat late, taking their time over the meal and conversation, so it’s best to book a table here, particularly if you’re planning on a late dinner, which, after all the food we’ve eaten today, we most certainly are.
Your forward planning will be rewarded with the freshest fish, cooked with respect and free from frippery. The lobster spaghetti is rightly considered a speciality of the restaurant but even better is the octopus and orzo. The smartest order, though, is simply grilled fish – often local bream or bass – caught that day and sold by weight (always reassuring) and a selection of traditional meze. Bliss!
DRINKS & DANCING ALONG MATOYIANNI STREET
Well, considering Mykonos has something of a reputation as a party island, it wouldn’t be right to end the night now. Instead, let’s see this one off in style with some drinks and dancing. In Matoyianni, you’ll find Astra and Queen bar, two perennially popular late night haunts which reliably begin the evening in a sophisticated way but as the night progresses, begin to let their hair down. The later you stay, the more raucous they become.
For something a little more sedate, and not to be confused with London’s cherished steam bun restaurant group, BAO boasts beautiful views of the bay and inventive cocktails. Ouzo, raki or even some Greek wine? Choose your poison, just make sure it’s not served by Achlys…
See you tomorrow to nurse our hangovers over another Mykoni pastry? You know you want to.
In just over a week, the government’s next stage in their gradual lifting of lockdown restrictions commences. Rejoice! From the 29th March, groups of six will be able to meet in outdoor spaces and private gardens, paving the way for a Spring speculatively featuring friends and family (all law-abiding and socially distanced, of course).
Whilst not wishing to rain on everyone’s private, six person parade, we should remind you that April is just around the corner, and the UK’s inclement weather listens to no government. Cue those infamous showers and the prospect of garden parties getting well and truly rained off.
Not to worry. From May 17th, outdoor gatherings of up to 30 people will be allowed, and on June 21st onwards, it’s anything goes; with all the usual caveats thrown in, of course. By the time these restrictions are lifted, the sun will be shining, shorts and T-shirts will be the UK’s only uniform, and the aroma of burnt budget burgers will be wafting all about the place. We can’t wait.
Suddenly, everyone’s going to be hosting Spring and Summer garden parties, barbeques and bashes, and we suspect things might get a little competitive. Come out on top, with these 6 tips for making a success of your Summer garden parties.
PREPARATION IS EVERYTHING
Just like hosting a great dinner party, preparation is key to a successful Summer garden party. Marinating, dry-rubbing, slicing, dicing, par-boiling, searing, half-steaming, picking and chopping…so much of the work, food wise, can happen well in advance of your party if you design your menu right.
In fact, the only elements of your meal that genuinely need to be left to the last minute are the dressing of salads (premature dressing leads to limp leaves), a final sprinkle of seasoning, and any à-la-minute cooking of meat which only needs to kiss the grill before it’s done.
If you’re concerned about timings, why not slow roast a whole leg of lamb on the barbecue, ensuring its meltingly tender and not requiring any last minute faff? Or, consider hosting a fish barbecue, with whole fish like mackerel only needing a few minutes on a white-hot grill. Magic!
Vegetables can be prepped in advance, too. Simply steam or boil vegetables in advance, then ‘shock’ them in ice cold water to stop them overcooking and discolouring. Then, just before serving, warm them through over the coals, imparting a beautiful smoky flavour and a few grill marks whilst still maintaining the vegetable’s integrity.
Finally, prepare some sauces, salsas and dips the day before, and bring them out around half an hour before everyone sits down to eat to ensure the chill’s been taken off. Hey presto!
Being stuck in the kitchen, flapping over the sides instead of charming and taking care of your guests is never a good look. Make your life easy by preparing what you can in advance. Or make your life even easier, and ask all your guests to bring a dish with them. Just a thought…
IT’S ALL ABOUT THE TOOLS
Lighting a BBQ in Britain’s oft inclement weather – it can be one of the most frustrating moments of the whole summer. To make things simple for yourself, consider investing in a chimney starter – these chimney like devices push the flames through the charcoal, allowing for just the right amount of air circulation to get your fire going and ensuring that all your coals are at an even temperature when you’re ready to start cooking.
Don’t stop there; a digital probe thermometer will be your new best friend, if you’re keen on precision cooking (and avoiding salmonella!). This trusty tool allows for accurate, safe cooking by checking the internal temperature of your food and ensuring it’s cooked to yours and your guests’ exacting standards. Repeat after us; “probe, don’t poison”.
Finally, if you’re considering grilling a fish on the BBQ and are concerned about the near inevitable skin-stickage, then there’s a tool-based solution for that, too. So many keen grillers steer clear of barbecuing whole fish because of its tendency to stick to the grill bars, but fear not; an investment in a specially designed fish basket (sometimes called a clamp) will see you right. It’s essentially a fish basket which you can ‘clamp’ shut around the fish, allowing for easy flipping and no sticking to the grill.
Other than that, a pair of heat resistant barbecue tongs, a fish/burger slice and a grill brush will see you right for many summers to come.
KEEPING THINGS WARM
“Hurry up and eat before the food gets cold.”
If you’re hosting a larger gathering outdoors this Summer, then there’s always a danger that elements of your meal – whether it’s hot off the barbecue or coming out from your indoor kitchen – will go cold before guests have properly enjoyed it.
You know how this story goes by now; guests are distracted by Champers and chatter, the cook gets sidelined by a game of beer pong, the kids are hungry before the adults…all of which requires some careful juggling of food prep, cooking and serving to ensure everything arrives at its optimum temperature.
When it comes to keeping your food warm, there’s a whole host of gadgets to help you out. If you’re hosting a large gathering and making easy, one-pot dishes to please a big crowd, then a Ban Marie food warmer works wonders in keeping stews, ragu, curries and chills at just the right temperature. A trusty slow cooker will also keep these dishes warmer for longer, or may we suggest investing in a rice cooker? They’re brilliant at holding all manner of things at the right temperature, and have uses way beyond just rice!
Should you be hosting a barbecue for the kids, then hot dogs are obligatory, don’t you think? It can be a pain keeping a party’s worth of sausages cooked and hot until everyone’s ready to eat, but a sausage warmer (must. avoid. making. coarse. joke) is the perfect solution for keeping hot dogs or sausages ready to serve for longer.
If you don’t have the budget to blow on new gadgets, then a trusty roll of tin foil will keep things insulated. Alternatively, you could cleverly redeploy a cool box – while they are primarily designed to keep things cold, the insulation means you can use them to keep things warm, too.
And if you’re keen to warm the cockles of your guests, too, then place a keen focus on spice when considering your garden party menu. Chilli in all its glorious forms offsets the onset of a chilly Summer evening, whilst aromatic spices and flavourings bring a different kind of warmth and comfort to the table, too. In this respect, fermented sides like kimchi or sauerkraut are always a winner.
SERVING DRINKS
Speaking of warm things – we don’t know about you, but one of the most annoying tasks of a large gathering is making a round of teas or coffees for everyone, then having to spend the rest of the afternoon by the kettle, trying to count the right amount of mugs and inevitably forgetting one person wanted coffee instead of tea. A simple solution? Allow guests to make their own hot beverage with a handy hot water dispenser, which are available online for around £50.
And now, onto the cold stuff. There’s nothing better than enjoying a cold, refreshing glass of white wine or beer in the sun. On the flip side, there’s nothing worse than grinning and bearing a lukewarm version.. Actually, we could think of loads of things worse, but anyway.
Enter rapid drink chillers. After that inevitable shop run to pick up more booze, these things can chill your bottles of wine and cans of beer in a matter of minutes. We’re talking ice cold here, and while we don’t really understand how the rapid cooling technology works, we’re certainly thankful for it.
Some of the most regarded models on the market include the Cooper Cooler which takes approximately six minutes to cool a 750 mil bottle of wine and the Zero Rapid Drinks Chiller, and pledges to take your bottles from room temperature to sub zero in as little as 3 minutes and keep your drinks cooler for longer than any ice bucket. The choice is yours!
If you’re not in the market for a rapid drink chiller, then the wine cooler market has improved massively in recent years, way beyond a metal bucket and some quickly disappearing ice. Promising to keep your drinks perfectly chilled for longer, may we suggest a cooling stick that lowers the wine temperature from the inside out? Priced at £19.99, The ChillCore 3 in 1 chills your bottle in 15 minutes and helps your drink stay cold for up to two hours. Just store it in the freezer and use as required.
KEEPING THINGS WITH WINGS AWAY
Flies, wasps and other things with wings tend to make a beeline (ahem) for Summer garden parties. First things first, never swat a wasp; it’s inhumane and you might inflame the situation, too.
According to Somerset Live, “A swatted wasp releases a chemical that is picked up by other wasps and they see it as a call to arms and come flying to the scene with stingers at the ready’’. Now that catastrophe has been averted, let’s talk about preventing them arriving on the scene in the first place.
Repelling wasps is a good first line of defence; prevention is better than cure, and all that. A tried and tested trick is to hang up crumpled brown paper bags, which gives the illusion of wasp nests and sends a message to other wasps that the territory is occupied. If you’re keen for something a little more concrete, then covering food is the best way to deter wasps and flies – mesh food covers which act like a tent are ideal, here.
Mosquitoes are another notorious warm-weather pest. You’ve probably used citronella candles in the past to deter them? Well, according to Science Mag, whilst citronella candles are great for setting a mood, they’re not actually all that well suited to the very thing they’re advertised to do; repel mosquitoes. Instead, an outdoor electric or battery-powered fan will best keep these bugs at bay; mosquitos are weak flyers and are loathe to fly into a fan’s breeze. Moreover, your guests can enjoy the fan’s cooling effect on a sticky, humid day.
If you’re doing things close to the beach, then you’ll no doubt be familiar with the threat of seagulls, whether they’re swooping in to swipe the chips straight out of your hand or they’re stealing a whole leg of lamb from your barbecue (trust us, it happens!).
Some experts suggest dying your food green to save your sandwiches from greedy gulls, since they’re confused by camouflaged food. Hey, who isn’t? If that sounds like a lot of effort, then other authorities on the subject suggest staring down the seagull until it flies off. Hmmm, perhaps we’ll just eat indoors.
TAKE COVER
Speaking of those refreshing breezes, if you don’t want your guests to melt (yep, even British summers are getting hot) then it’s essential you create some shade. In the last few years, we’ve seen some of the hottest summers since records began. While of course we should all be focusing on reducing our carbon footprint to help mitigate global warming – perhaps extinguish that barbie with haste – it’s a good idea to ensure your garden has a good amount of shade to ensure the comfort of your guests.
A permanent awning is a good idea here and will allow you to make the most out of your garden this summer. Not only do they provide shade, but they protect from rain, too, guaranteeing your outdoor gathering goes ahead, whatever the weather. Awnings also allow a section of your garden to double up as summer living space – known as ‘zoning’ – with outside furniture like a dining bench or comfortable outdoor chairs and even sofas able to provide enough seating and space for everyone.
Though you might be keeping guests dry with your awning, it’s certainly not wise to light the grill under one. On the flip side, remember that rain and fire don’t mix. As such, it’s a good idea to get a barbecue with a lid to ensure seamless cooking and avoid any disappointed guests!
THE BOTTOM LINE
We’ve shared every secret under the sun for a successful summer party, giving you all the tools to host the season’s hottest event. Now, can we assume our invite’s in the post?
New bucket list entry anyone? For many, 2018’s announcement by Trip Advisor of its Top Ten Foodie Cities was a direct challenge to the intrepid and inquisitive amongst us. Could a foodie world tour be logically arranged to take in the ten cities from the list?
In short, only if you’re easy about the cash and fuel you’d burn along the way; a round the world flight ticket, taking in the U.K, Europe, the States andAsia, with sufficient stops permitted, would cost upwards of £10’000 and 30’000 miles. In shorter, just no.
Something more manageable and no less delicious, then. Something less costly, and less damaging to the environment, too. Something focused on taking in the cornucopia of culinary delights of one particular region. And what part of the world has the finest, best value food around? Why, Southeast Asia, of course.
Let’s face it; travel in 2021 comes with its own risks and obstacles, but with news that Thailand is planning to open its borders to travellers later in the year and the hope that neighbouring countries will follow suit, we think it’s safe to dream a little once again. With this in mind, here are 10 IDEAL foodie destinations in Southeast Asia.
BANGKOK, THAILAND
You won’t go hungry in the most visited city in the world. Oh no. There is food everywhere and it’s almost exclusively delicious. The wonderful thing about eating in Bangkok is the amazing range of Thai (and international) cuisine on offer. In Bangkok can dine at street level for pennies, or sky high for prices which match.
According to research and this striking visual from Amica International,one of the defining aspects of any ‘foodie’ city is the diversity of the cuisine on offer – and there’s no lack of that in Bangkok. Here you can sample the delights of an Indian curry in Pahurat (Little India), chow down on some Peking duck in China town or delight in French fine dining at a Michelin starred restaurant.
You can even get a real taste of Italy at some of the best Italian restaurants the world has to offer, and having a good offering of Italian food (according to Amica) is another element that makes a great foodie city. Whatever you’re in the mood for the city will provide.
But you’d be crazy to come here and go all international on us. Particularly exciting in the Thai capital right now is the new wave of Thai chefs intent on modernising the country’s cuisine while staying true to its roots and history, and supporting the finest local producers along the way.
If you can snag a table, 100 Mahaseth and 80/20 are perhaps the finest realisations of this ethos and the hottest tickets in town right now. We’ve written more about our top tips for eating out in Bangkok here; check it out.
SINGAPORE
For the box tickers; the news has just dropped that Asia has a new Number One Restaurant, and it’s in Singapore. This comes as no surprise; the city is awash with fine dining of a Francophile bent and as such commands the attention of international foodie awards.
Indeed, the city boasts 39 Michelin stars and plenty more courting that kind of recognition. But we promised something a little less damaging to the purse.Fortunately, and somewhat surprisingly in a city of affluence and aspiration, cheap eats can be found everywhere.
The food is a glorious amalgamation of the many historic, ethnic and cultural influences of the place; Malaysian, Chinese, Portuguese…they all play a part. When dining out, locals often eat at the ubiquitous Hawker Centres which are found all over town.
Perhaps the best is Lau Pa Sat (also known as Telok Ayer Market) where you’ll find a huge diversity of dishes and styles. Singapore also lays claim to the world’s cheapest Michelin star meal at Liao Fan Hong Kong Soya Sauce Chicken Rice & Noodle. It’s a simple, street food stall serving the national dish expertly and at just over a £1. And yep, you guessed it, you’ll have to queue. There is now a second branch, Hawker Chan, which seats nearly 100.
The island of Phuket is a place of clashing contradiction, with the brash and bawdy Patong Beach in direct, jarring conflict with the striking natural beauty of the island and the serene, multicultural Old Town, with its colourful Sino Portuguese architecture, Chinese temples and shrines, and unique cuisine representative of this rich diversity.
Dive into a world of culinary curiosity to enjoy the best of Phuket; a truly glorious amalgamation of the island’s heritage and celebratory of its inherent contrasts, with Chinese, Malaysian, Singaporean and Muslim influences abound.
The local breakfast, in particular, is a thing of wonder; freshly slapped and charcoal grilled roti bread served alongside a deep, heady curry sauce and sweet, milky coffee. If that doesn’t get you going in the morning, then only a defibrillator might. And of course, owing to its proximity to the sea’s bounty, fish is done superbly here, with the fine balancing act between high spice and soothing coconut or crunchy vegetables that Southern Thai food does so well.
Don’t leave without trying the crab curry at Raya Restaurant, a place so popular it’s spawned sister restaurants One Chun and Chomchan in the city (both equally brilliant) as well as a second Raya in Bangkok. Heaven.
CHIANG MAI, THAILAND
Eating is the national pastime in Thailand; for pleasure, as a merit-maker, a show of gratitude, a welcome, everything. Our ‘how are you?’ is their ‘have you eaten rice yet?’. In Chiang Mai, Northern Thailand’s main tourist hub, the unique cuisine of the area (known as Lanna food) is at its best.
Everyone’s first foodie stop is to eat the delicious noodle and curry broth Khao Soi and Chiang Mai boasts many, many purveyors of the good stuff. Also superb in the city are the endless array of grilled meats. S&P Chicken is perennially popular with both tourists and locals for their brined, marinated, slow grilled poussin served with tangy homemade dipping sauces. And you won’t miss (or want to miss) the North’s famous sausage, sai ua, which is full of herbs, spice and flavour. Just amazing.
HANOI, VIETNAM
Hanoi; at once relentless, maddening, baffling and beautiful, has some of the best street food the world has to offer, let alone Southeast Asia. Where do we start? Well, it’s got to be pho, the iconic noodle soup which is doing its best to take over the world. There just aren’t enough superlatives.
It is wise, though, to seek out the best version you can, as the difference between a good and great bowl is huge. For beef, we’d point you in the direction of 49 Bat Dan street or 10 Ly Quoc Su; the finest in their field, in the city and therefore, by rights, the world. If it’s chicken you’re after, Pho Ga Mai Anh on Le Van Huu street is ace.
Right next door to that family run shop is the famous Obama Bun Cha, where the then president (oh, how we miss him) famously enjoyed a bowl of delicious chargrilled pork over rice noodles with Anthony Bourdain (oh, how we miss him, too).
Perhaps the greatest dish in the whole city though is cha ca; catfish marinated in turmeric and shrimp paste, fried in an aromatic oil. Add loads of spring onion and serve with herbs and fermented rice noodles, and be careful not to let your eyes roll back in your head. The best version (and the inventors of the dish) is found at Cha Ca La Vong, on Cha Ca street.
HUE, VIETNAM
Sure, Hanoi’s food is amazing. And sure, Vietnam’s south could also stake a fair claim of having the best regional food in the country. But those who ‘know’ go to Hue, the former royal capital, to eat. Here you’ll find a cuisine all of its own, led by the headlining act bun bo hue. That’s a deep, savoury and spicy broth which all the best cuts of pork, blood and beef have made their home; the food stalls of the city’s Dong Ba market sling an excellent version.
Also superb and native to the city is banh xeo, a type of crispy pancake filled with minced pork and prawns, which you eat wrapped in lettuce and enjoy with the ever present bowl of fresh herbs. Take us back.
LUANG PRABANG, LAOS
Laotian food isn’t perhaps as internationally recognised as it should be, but that’s surely soon set to change. In fact, much of the Thai food we enjoy with abandon has its roots in the country; the papaya salads, grilled chickens, laaps and more originated in Laos.
Luang Prabang is a great place to start discovering this country’s diverse and delicious cuisine as it has a great mix of street food, markets and the emergence of a few fine dining places owing to its recent surge in tourism. Particularly splendid is newly opened Paste (a sister restaurant to the much lauded Bangkok restaurant of the same name).
But if it’s cheap eats you’re after, head to the string of great little eateries on the south bank of Mekong river which runs right through the town. Be sure to order the salt grilled fish which you wrap in lettuce leaves and dip in a variety of fiery dipping sauces; that’s ‘miang pla pao’ to the locals.
SIEM RIEP, CAMBODIA
Cambodia’s Siem Riep may be compact in size, but culturally and culinarily it packs one hell of a punch. It’s most famous as the gateway town serving the world famous religious site Angkor Wat, but the town itself is brimming with brilliant food. Our pick of the bunch is Spoons, a celebration of the country’s much underrated cuisine and a philanthropic operation to boot. Cuisine Wat Damark is another superb Siem Riep restaurant, doing Khmer fine dining with respect for its heritage at the very highest level.
GEORGETOWN, MALAYSIA
Malaysian, Thai, Indian and Chinese influences meet here to provide a foodie mecca pretty much unrivalled anywhere else on the planet. It’s probably the cheapest place to eat well on our list, with Hawker Centres slinging bowl upon bowl of fragrant soups and rich, deep curries for the price of pennies.
The national dish of char koay teow (a smoking hot wok stir fry of seafood and noodles) is a must try here, and the Penang version of laksa known as assam also shouldn’t be missed. It’s quite different from the laksa most of us are familiar with, shipping out the coconut milk and instead given richness and depth through tamarind water and dried fish flakes. Go get it.
JAKARTA, INDONESIA
We couldn’t leave Southeast Asia without dropping by the biggest, most mega metropolis in the region. And where there are this many people and this richer history, there is always food cooked with pride. Look beyond the nasi goreng and rendang (admittedly superb) and seek out the lesser known but no less delicious dishes of soto betawi (a creamy beef soup native to Jakarta and served with pickles) and ikan bakar, a splendid way of grilling fish which is popular in the city.
Whilst we wouldn’t usually dream of suggesting directions on a dress or hair code for a whole profession, nurses have to follow stricter guidelines than most when it comes to how they present themselves. Everything from makeup to nurse’s uniform styles is tightly controlled to prevent infection and keep patients, colleagues and the nurses themselves safe.
Should you be a medical professional or simply a curious sort, then what are the best hairstyles for nurses to wear? Here are 5 of the best hairstyles for nurses with long hair.
SAFETY FIRST
Ok, we know that ‘safety’ isn’t exactly a hairstyle, however, it’s worth bearing in mind that you have to consider safety above everything else as a nurse. While you might find a hairstyle which looks fantastic on you, it may not be suitable for your healthcare roles. Sadly, the latter takes precedence over the former in this demanding, cherished role.
In general, nurse hairstyles should either be short or, if long, tied back. While highlights, striking colours and dyed hair is permitted in some workplaces, it might be safer to ‘err on the side of caution’ by sticking to your natural colour. You should always consult your workplace guidelines before committing to a style, as every private hospital and NHS trust differs. For general advice, check out NHS England’s Guidance on uniform and workwear policies, but do bear in mind that there are some divergences on rules according to trust.
Beyond hairstyles, even your choice of haircare matters, some nurses prefer using a natural shampoo bar and conditioner to keep their routine quick, effective, and free from harsh chemicals that can irritate the scalp during long shifts.
Once you’ve familiarised yourself with the guidance, these are some styles you might want to try.
FRENCH BRAID
The French braid is a classic style that works best for those who have below shoulder-length hair. This style incorporates three strands that are braided together from the head’s brow to below the neck, and is both stylish and suitable for long hours spent nursing.
French braids are the go-to style for nurses with long hair because it’s such a reliable design. A well-plaited braid will last all day without strands of hair coming loose and will remain neat throughout. When dealing with patients, the last thing you want is your plait coming undone.
The length of a French braid means it goes very well with tunic dresses; if you prefer wearing a dress instead of separates, this could be the style for you.
TOP KNOT BUN
Perhaps one of the more famous matron-style hairstyles is the top knot bun. Again, this is another style that works well for nurses with longer hair.
It involves the hair being curled into a crown and fastened on top of the head, with Rihanna and Gigi Hadid both seen wearing this style regularly. For experienced and aspiring nurses alike, this remains a popular choice.
What makes the top knot bun such a good style for nurses is that all hair remains tucked away on top of the head. With no hair dangling, there’s no chance of any straying into the wrong place and causing an infection control concern. Or, simply, being a nuisance. As the top knot bun is such a classic style, it looks great paired with one of Alexandra’s classic cut tunics or tunic dresses, available from their healthcare section.
BRAIDED BUNS
For afro and curly hair, braided buns with cornrows is an incredibly pretty and low-maintenance style. This type of style has longevity (and can be left in for weeks if you look after them properly) and is popular with nurses who don’t have much time on their hands. If you have box braids, wrapping them into a classic cinnamon bun style looks elegant and is practical, too.
Another style of braided bun ideal for curly or straight hair is the braided French Twist. This combines the textures of the French braid with the functional practicality of the top knot bun. Many nurses prefer this style to the top knot bun or the French braid because of its durability throughout a tough day and its simple elegant appearance.
A third, easy braided bun style involves tying your hair back into pigtails, plaiting them and then intertwining the plaited pigtails together and fixing them with hair grips.
FRENCH ROLL
An exquisite hairstyle that never goes out of fashion, the French Roll (nope, not a delicious breakfast option) is another popular choice with nurses. If you’ve got long hair, you can try this style out by curling your hair up and pinning it to the back of your head. Keira Knightly and Emma Stone have famously sported this hairstyle, favouring it’s sophisticated aesthetic.
What makes the French Roll so popular with nurses is its sheer practicality and elegance. Once put in place, the roll will stay in place all day, no matter how long your shift is. What’s more, it will look reliably effortless. If you want a professional look without compromising glamour, the French Roll is the style for you. Match this hairstyle with a spot tunic for a contemporary, professional look.
THE BOTTOM LINE
While nurses have many safety precautions to adhere to when considering which hairstyle to wear, that doesn’t mean they have to sacrifice style completely. There are so many classy and secure ways for a nurse to style their hair and we’re sure you’ll find one that conforms to your workplace guidelines and your own unique tastes.
If you’re looking for new nurse uniforms or accessories – such as skull caps and head scarfs – then check out Alexandra workwear. Alexandra is the UK’s #1 supplier of medical workwear for healthcare professionals, supplying private hospitals and the NHS.
A year ago yesterday, everything changed. Since 23rd March 2020 and the government’s lockdown announcement, the UK has experienced a dramatic shift in our social and working situations. Being asked to stay at home as much as possible means that many workers have found themselves moved from office blocks to kitchen tables setups, bringing cheer and challenge in equal measure.
Yep, the shift has brought about seismic change to our work/life balance, for better and for worse. In fact, the Office for National Statistics measured that in April 2020, 46.6 per cent of people were working from home. A staggering 86 per cent of these people declared they had done so as a consequence of the pandemic.
Some have managed to juggle these two competing factions dexterously, finding time for exercise, downtime and long, leisurely lunches amongst the Zoom conferences and email exchanges which now define the day.
Others, however, have struggled to draw boundaries between home and work, and are welcoming the prospect of returning to a central office. In addition to these homeworkers, 4.7 million people were still on furlough by the end of January 2021, with many desperate to get going (and get earning) once again.
Whilst we’re loath to take sides here (remember the utter debacle of the government’s ‘return to the office’ message, the Dettol tube advert fiasco, and MPs imploring us to mourn Pret last summer?), it’s essential you’re prepared for the ‘new normal’, whether that means continuing to work from home or returning to a physical workplace.
Should you be looking to adjust to a more permanent, sustainable working-from home situation, or you’re keen to re-enter the workplace through the front door and on the front foot, then it’s essential that you ensure your domestic routines are sustainable and productive.
With new home-working routines, it’s unsurprising that we’ve adopted a few habits which have been hindering the harmony of the working day. With that in mind, here are 5 working from habits which could be harming your health and productivity, and the IDEAL ways to remedy them.
FROM BED TO DESK & DESK TO BED
Without a commute to separate home and work, the pressure to get a headstart on a day of deadline-meeting can be pervasive. On the flip side, at the business end of the day, the same overwhelming compulsion to work late, since you’re basically living in your home office anyway, can be just as strong.
This gradual slip into working unacknowledged overtime can happen without you realising, but doing so increases your risk of burnout and being exploited by your employers, too. It’s essential, then, that you draw distinctions between work and home, physically and mentally.
Do all you can to get into a predictable routine of getting out of bed at the same time each day, and before work, schedule in an activity between waking up and sitting down to work. This might be completing a crossword over breakfast, tackling a yoga session, or even a walk around the block in lieu of a daily commute.
Following a routine at the end of the working day, too. Shut up shop for the day with a certain ceremoniousness, even if all that means is switching on your ‘out of office’ auto reply or shutting down your laptop and putting it in its case until tomorrow, helping you enter ‘home’ mode.
If you’re returning to the office, do make sure that you saviour some downtime on the tube or on your walk, rather than stressing about deadlines off-the-clock.
BUSINESS-SUPER-CASUAL
Those distinctions between work and home have been somewhat blurred due to our increasingly comfortable clothing choices as the pandemic has worn on.
Our morning routines have changed as a consequence of working from home, make no mistake. Where once we would prepare ourselves to leave the house feeling fresh and ready for the day ahead, now you may expect to wake up and immediately land yourself in front of your computer to work, and our choice of clothes has grown to reflect this most comfortable of transitions.
The short commute between the bedroom and home office has led to the rise of a looser, more comfortable work attire, where workers no longer need to get dressed in their usual business suits or smart-casual wear for the office. Instead, wearing jogger bottoms, comfortable hoodies, or even pyjamas has become the standard apparel of homeworking.
Back in October 2020, one fashion analyst index reported that the number of sold-out sportswear items had increased by 17 per cent in 2020 compared to the previous year, a consequence of lockdown restrictions.
It’s clear that comfortable clothing has become the go-to choice for many people working at home. For the majority, this is marvellous, and has one of the more liberating elements of working from home. In fact, some industry experts have predicted that the office dress code will likely never return.
But for those who are keen to return to the central office, ready to embrace small talk and smart clothing choices once again, the coming months should be all about getting ready to remotivate our laundry routines. Understanding the best way to look after all those new smart work outfits we’ve been buying online lately, with delicate handwashes and proper treatment of our tumble dryers, is going to be crucial to stepping back in to the office with confidence.
REGULAR TRIPS TO THE OFFICE KITCHEN
Not everyone has had the luxury of a dedicated home office space. Instead, many of us have been relegated to our bedrooms, living rooms or kitchens to get work done. Basically, wherever the internet works best, we’ve settled in for the past year.
However, if you’ve found yourself sitting at the kitchen table on a chair that’s usually reserved for dining, you may have fallen into the trap of temptation. Be honest; how many times have you peered into the fridge already today, looking for snacks and meaning?
The temptation for home office workers across the UK during the pandemic has been to spend more time in the kitchen and less at the desk, in the name of both distraction and deliciousness, but that risks presenting its own unique problems.
Now, don’t get us wrong, we’re all for snacking. However, there are specific snacking practices you should follow when working from home, which when done right can keep your body healthy, happy, satiated, and your mind distraction free.
Set, strictly followed meal times can help keep your cravings at bay, making you less likely to snack in the interim period. Drinking plenty of water and staying hydrated is a key defence against snack cravings, too. Or, consider creating a snack box full of healthy bites like carrot sticks, edamame beans and nuts, proactively seeing off the urge to snack, rather than regretting that second packet of crisps after it’s happened.
TECH-NECK
Another victim of homeworking is our poor posture. The use of laptops and makeshift office furniture, whether coffee tables or unstable wooden dining chairs, has forced some unusual working positions. Hunched backs, numb legs and stiff necks aren’t necessarily symptoms of the coronavirus, but they do indicate that you’ve been working from home for too long.
Between laptops and smartphones merging the worlds of life and work, a lack of physical exercise is another cause of what has been coined as ‘tech-neck’. However, the remedy is surprisingly simple.
Sitting up straight and doing some healthy stretches (both warming up and down, pre and post work) can relieve the pain and improve the consequential headaches and fatigue that the condition can create. It won’t be long before we can return to our ergonomic office chairs and large desktop displays. But until then, looking after yourselves with a bit of relaxation and yoga can go a long way. No one wants to lumber back into the office with a crooked back and sore neck. It’s not a good look or feeling.
SUCCUMBING TO SOCIAL MEDIA DISTRACTION
We get the irony; you’re reading this piece while you’re meant to working, right? But home working has inevitably led to more smartphone and social media use, with HR News reporting this month that screen time had increased by 73% in the UK during the global pandemic. Rather than keep you distracted for longer, we’ll save us both some time and redirect you to this guide on 7 of the worst working from home distractions and the IDEAL solutions to help you stay focused when working remotely.
Ideal for those who have trouble falling back to sleep.
This just in; a new portmanteau has entered the national lexicon this year, but even before learning the word, so many will be familiar with its effects. In fact, ‘’Coronasimonia’’ isn’t only confined to these shores, it’s a fully fledged, worldwide phenomenon, with BBC Future reporting in January of this year on ‘’insomnia linked to the stress of life during Covid-19’’.
They go on to highlight the global effects of the pandemic on sleep, reporting that ‘’In the UK, an August 2020 study from the University of Southampton showed that the number of people experiencing insomnia rose from one in six to one in four, with more sleep problems in communities including mothers, essential workers and BAME groups’’. Similar things have been happening in China, where ‘’insomnia rates rose from 14.6% to 20% during peak lockdown’’.
On the continent, it’s a similar story, with the BBC writing that ‘’an alarming prevalence of clinical insomnia was observed in Italy, and in Greece, nearly 40% of respondents in a May study were shown to have insomnia’’.
Last week saw the observation of World Sleep Day, with the NHS releasing guidance on things you can do to sleep more soundly during a period of supreme stress and upheaval. These included keeping to a strict bedtime routine, avoiding exposing yourself to harmful blue light before bed, and keeping your bedroom cool (16 to 18°C is considered optimum).
Today, we’re considering methods and measures you can put in place to help you fall back asleep should you wake up in the night. No more staring at the ceiling looking for answers, no more dwelling on something you said seventeen years ago to a friend, no more stressing about the fact you’re missing out on your all important eight hours because you’re, well stressing. Instead, here are 5 ways to fall back asleep during a restless night.
PRACTICE DEEP BREATHING
If you’re struggling to fall back asleep during a particularly restless night in bed, then practicing deep breathing may put you in a better frame of mind and help you drift off again.
Deploying similar methods to meditation, but simply done from bed, on your back and in the dark, several studies have concluded that deep breathing can help with insomnia, with the Scientific American reporting on a 2015 study carried out by the National Yang-Ming University in Taiwan which found that participants who used 20 minutes of deep breathing exercises at 6 respiration cycles a minute (that’s one inhale and exhale every ten seconds), benefited hugely.
They say that ‘’Insomniac participants went to sleep faster, woke up less frequently in the night and went back to sleep faster when they did wake up. On average, it took them only 10 minutes to fall asleep, almost three times faster than normal. The investigators attributed the results both to the calming mediated by the parasympathetic system and to the relaxing effect of focused breathing.’’
You don’t need to have particularly resilient lungs or a meditative focus to practice deep breathing in bed, either. All you have to do is breathe deeply, rhythmically and slowly. That said, there are a few methods believed to be particularly effective, with ‘three-part breathing’ or the ‘4-7-8’ method perhaps the most natural and easy to accomplish from a horizontal position.
PROGRESSIVE MUSCLE RELAXATION
Similarly to deep breathing exercises, progressive muscle practice is another simple relaxation technique you can perform from bed, should you wake up in the night and need to calm yourself down before falling back to sleep.
According to Help Guide’s tips on relaxation techniques that can help you get back to sleep, the process couldn’t be simpler; ‘’Starting with your feet, tense the muscles as tightly as you can. Hold for a count of 10, and then relax. Continue to do this for every muscle group in your body, working your way up from your feet to the top of your head.’’
Many find that the process of working through each muscle in the body serves as a distraction from restlessness. As we all know, it’s often the stress of not being able to fall back asleep which seems to prevent it from happening, which is a vicious circle, indeed. Taking cues from the ‘body scan’ method popular within the mindful meditation community, progressive muscle relaxation can be a great way to calm ruminating, racing thoughts in the middle of the night.
MELATONIN
Melatonin is a naturally occurring hormone in your body which helps regulate your sleep-wake cycle. To avoid disrupting your body’s production of the good stuff, there are a few lifestyle and routine changes you can enact to ensure that you’re producing melatonin in a way which is supportive of your circadian rhythm and sleep.
As the Sleep Foundation so succinctly put it, ‘’Darkness prompts the pineal gland to start producing melatonin while light causes that production to stop…In doing so, it facilitates a transition to sleep and promotes consistent, quality rest.’’
It’s essential, then, that you allow a gradual, graceful transition into bed, dimming lights in the bedroom in the run up to sleep and not exposing yourself to the harmful blue light of any screens for at least an hour before you hope to nod off. In fact, use of smartphones and other screens just before bed can wreak havoc on your circadian rhythm, throwing your melatonin production off course and making it super hard to fall asleep.
Perhaps the worst thing you can do, then, if you’re awake in the night, is to reach for your phone and scroll and swipe in the dark. This will stimulate melatonin production and confuse your brain into thinking it’s morning; you don’t want that.
Alternatively, melatonin is available in supplement form and is NHS approved for short-term remedying of insomnia and jetlag. Available in prescription only and generally reserved for treating sleep problems in adults aged 55 and over, the NHS say that ‘’You can take a manmade version of melatonin for short-term sleep problems (insomnia). It makes you fall asleep quicker and less likely to wake up during the night. It can also help with symptoms of jetlag.’’
Finally, though research is ongoing and the science not yet conclusive, some extol the benefits of magnetic bracelets in helping with insomnia and restless sleep, since some studies have pointed to the low frequency magnetic field’s effect on melatonin production.
It should be noted that these studies were largely inconclusive, and were carried out on kestrels and calves, rather than humans. Though promising, the effect of magnetic fields on insomnia in humans is largely anecdotal, and as such, magnetic bracelets shouldn’t be used as a replacement for medically-approved therapies and treatments of insomnia, but rather as a complementary tool, if at all.
HERBAL TEAS
Speaking of melatonin, caffeine, the active ingredient in coffee, can cause problems with its production, too, owing to its stimulant qualities. It’s best to keep your intake low, or non-existent, if you’re struggling with insomnia. Be aware that it also shows up in plenty of other products. You’ll want to watch your intake of cola, dark chocolate, tea, and energy (well, duh) drinks, too.
There are loads of other dietary factors that also play a role in dictating the quality and quantity of our sleep. Check out our tips on hacking your circadian rhythm with food, for more on this interesting subject.
But if you’re in need of a helping hand to help you nod off and still savour a warm drink just before bed, then consider adding a cup of herbal tea to your routine. Not only is a mug of the good stuff the perfect accompaniment to a bedtime read, but sleepy tea can also help foster a calming bedtime experience that promotes sleepiness in tandem.
Then, of course, there’s the ingredients, some of which are said to have a soothing, relaxing effect on body and mind. Modern research backs up these claims, with common inclusions like chamomile, valerian root and lemon balm shown to have some potential in inducing those Zzzeds.
If you’re really struggling to fall back to sleep, some suggest getting up, making yourself a cup of herbal tea, and drinking it calmly before re-entering your bed and hopefully, sleep.
VISUALISATION
Psychologists also recommend visualisation or guided imagery as a great relaxation tip to help you nod off when you’re struggling to sleep. In fact, the simple, meditative escapist practice has been scientifically proven to help practitioners fall asleep.
While resting in bed, close your eyes and visualise a familiar, idyllic scene – a playground from your childhood, your favourite beach, a garden, park or any place that gives your peace of mind when you think about it. Doing so can offer comfort and distraction in the face of distraction and sleeplessness. Result!
And with that, we’ll wish you good night…we hope you haven’t been reading this in the middle of the night, on your smartphone?
Gaming, once charged with causing eyesight issues, impacting school grades, and even encouraging real-life violence, has enjoyed something of a volte-face in recent years.
The Conversation reported earlier this month on some of the potential benefits that gaming can bring to kids and teenagers, suggesting that regular playing of video games can develop problem solving, perseverance and compassion, as well as improving visual acuity. The report even pointed to a study which concluded that playing super Mario can induce structural brain plasticity, which in layperson’s terms means that playing the game can make your brain grow!
But let’s be honest here, there’s nothing wrong with simply playing video games – in moderation, of course – because they’re, well, really damn fun, regardless of the life skills you might be developing by winning the World Cup with San Marino on FIFA or breezing through Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare’s #YOLO level.
We all deserve a little downtime after this most trying of years, and if you’re looking to take your gaming to the next level, then a domestic space dedicated to your favourite hobby could be just the ticket. With that in mind, here are 7 tips for creating the IDEAL gaming room.
LAPTOP, PC OR CONSOLE?
Firstly, you’re going to need to decide on your preferred medium for gaming. In the modern world of gaming, the vast majority of gamers prefer to use a PC, since this can handle the ultra-advanced graphics which many of the most cutting-edge games now come with. Generally speaking, a PC is advantageous over a laptop when considering price versus performance, but a laptop is fantastic for versatility and mobility, should you need to move your gaming room (or, you just love playing on the train, of course).
If you have gamer friends who regularly host LAN parties, then a gaming laptop is essential; you don’t want to be lugging your gaming PC around with you to friend’s houses or public events spaces.
That’s not to say that gaming laptops don’t deliver incredibly high performance, and are certainly more powerful than consoles in this respect. Lenovo, who are experts on laptops in the UK, suggest that you should prioritise ‘’FHD displays that flex up to 240Hz refresh rates, 500 nits brightness, and 100% sRGB0%’’. Consoles simply can’t compete with this spec.
Despite their relatively poor graphics quality, consoles do have some advantages over PCs and laptops. Firstly, Playstation, Xbox and Nintendo all boast gaming exclusives which you can only access on their dedicated devices. They can also serve as more comprehensive home media hubs, playing streaming platforms and more through the console.
Determine your priorities before deciding on a medium.
HD MONITOR
If you do opt for a console, or you simply want to hook up your high performance PC or laptop up to a larger, exterior monitor, then there are several factors to consider.
Your monitor is one of the most important parts of any gaming setup because there is no point having a computer with top processing and gaming specs if you are playing it on a fuzzy screen. Modern video games have incredible graphics, and in order to truly enjoy the experience to its full potential, an HD monitor is absolutely key. If you already have an HD TV in your home then you can link your computer up to that, but if not, invest in a quality monitor and it will really lift the whole gaming experience to another level.
HOW TO CHOOSE A GAMING CHAIR
You are going to be spending a lot of time sitting down in your gaming room, make no mistake, which means that your choice of gaming chair is essential for ensuring good posture and averting the risk of injury.
When choosing your gaming chair, you need to think about ergonomics. You should opt for a chair that offers you lumbar support and has an adjustable height to ensure that you’re not hunching your shoulders or harming your back.
You should also consider the material of your chair. Chairs that are made from leather are very easy to clean, whereas cotton chairs are generally much more breathable. If you have room in the budget, you could always look at the top-of-the-line gaming chairs. Luxury gaming chairs come with a range of additional features such as in-built massage features, speakers, and drinks holders. Wow!
PICKING A GAMING HEADSET
Experienced gamers will need to find the right headset to ensure they can have the most immersive experience possible while gaming. The majority of gamers choose wireless headsets, as they enable you to have a great range of motion while playing. When you’re choosing a wireless headset, you should look for a model that has a power dock. This means that you can charge up your headset far more quickly. If you spend the majority of your time playing on one console, then you should look for console-specific headsets.
Alternatively you could opt for speakers, which change the gaming experience into a more fully-blown affair, with the added risk of really annoying your housemates or family members…can you tell we speak from experience?
That said, some believe that modern games need to be played with surround sound to get the full experience. This is particularly true for some first-person shooters (FPSs), which are more immersive to play if gamers can get a decent idea of what direction things like gunshots and footsteps are coming from. A good surround sound system will make playing any game more enjoyable and may improve competitive gamers’ chances of winning, too, so it’s worth the investment.
DESIGNING THE RIGHT LIGHTING
Finding the right lighting levels for your game room is super important, too. Too much bright lighting can create glare and subsequently, lead to squinting, risk digital eye strain and bring about a real decrease in enjoyment.
On the flip side, sitting completely in the dark is bad for both your mental health and your eyes. You need to look for soft lighting features that provide enough light without creating glare on your screen.
A DEDICATED ROUTER
Remember when we mentioned those irritated housemates a little while back? Well, that high-performance gaming of yours can wreak havoc on the collective WiFi, data usage, and household harmony, so it’s best to install a dedicated wireless router used only for game playing online.
This will avoid issues with slow load times when other residents are using the household network, giving competitive gamers an edge and preventing unnecessary interruptions. You wouldn’t want to reach the iconic final life of Half Life 2 only for it to crash because your dad started streaming Netflix upstairs, now would you?
For several reasons, you may be considering replacing your company’s industrial door(s). This could be due to maintenance issues, appearance, or a lack of security.
It is important and a legal obligation of an employer to ensure the equipment and machinery used by employees on the premises of the organisation are safe to use. To keep to the guidelines, as a company, you should be looking out for any damage or concerns with your industrial doors, to ensure both the safety of your employees and the security of your premises.
Securing or replacing or industrial doors isn’t something which should be delayed. Because of this, it’s first vital that you identify occasions when they need to be repaired or even replaced. To help make it simple, Hormann have listed these 5 signs that you need a new industrial door for your company’s premises.
THE DOOR NO LONGER LOCKS PROPERLY
The security of your premises and its possessions is paramount to the smooth running of your organisation so it’s essential that you ensure the locks on your industrial doors are working properly. Having the confidence in your door locking properly will protect your staff and secure your company assets from damage or theft.
If you have noticed the lock becoming stuck or difficult to operate, then this is certainly an indication that the lock is no longer working properly. You should seek a replacement rather than risking your company’s assets.
YOU CAN FEEL THE DOOR LETTING IN A DRAFT
You may have started to feel a draft coming in through the door when you’re inside your company premises. This could be a sign the door was not installed properly initially, or that a fault with the door has developed.
A draft can be unwelcome for clients and colleagues inside, but it may also leave your premises prone to weather damage and easy entry. As such, it is best to get the door replaced to keep the heat in and the cold out, and protect against the UK’s unpredictable elements, too. A well installed and well-insulated industrial door will help you maintain steady energy costs and keep your company outgoings down.
THE DOOR HAS STARTED MAKING UNUSUAL NOISES WHEN OPENING AND CLOSING
Hearing concerning noises such as grating, grinding, squeaking, or even loud banging when opening and closing your industrial doors can be a sign that the door is broken or damaged, and in turn, is no longer secure. If you have noticed the door making suspect noises that you haven’t heard before, it could even signify that it has become dangerous to operate. As such, the door will need to be replaced to ensure the safety of the building and for your company to keep abreast of health and safety regulations.
YOUR BUILDING NO LONGER FEELS OR APPEARS SECURE TO YOURSELF AND VISITORS
Another important feature of an industrial door and one which so many forget, is that it should act as a deterrent to trespassers to prevent attempted break-ins.
The appearance of your door needs to maintain the security of your building, and a door which no longer looks secure will give the building the look of being derelict, unoccupied and easy to access.
If your on-site staff no longer feel as though the door acts as a deterrent to thieves, they may feel unsafe at work, too, particularly when working around expensive machinery and tools. To “keep up appearances”, investing in a new door will keep your building looking and feeling secure. It will also avoid any insurance invalidation issues.
YOU ARE NO LONGER HAPPY WITH THE LOOK OF THE DOOR
Aesthetics matter, and first impressions mean a lot to visiting clients. If you no longer like the look of the door, then rest assured; it is not uncommon to upgrade the exterior of your industrial unit or building to keep up to date with your company branding. If this is the case, a new door may be just what you need to give the impression of a company which is cutting edge and consistently modernising their offering.
THE BOTTOM
Having regular services and maintenance checks on your industrial doors, even when newly installed, will help keep the door in top condition. By doing this you will increase the life span of the door, decreasing the number of times a replacement would be required.
As the old Danish proverb goes, ‘’if you build according to every man’s advice, you will have a crooked house’’.
Should yours be feeling increasingly off-kilter and you’re looking to move on, then we hope you’re ready for just one more round of advice. This time, not on how to build the damn thing, but rather, how to prepare your house for sale.
It’s all about maximising the potential of your property, putting its best foot forward and best face on show, all in order to appeal to the broadest range of potential suitors. We’re sure we don’t have to tell you how tough and stressful selling a house can be, even at the best of times. And these are most certainly not the best of times. In fact, the Property Reporter published findings at the end of 2020 which showed that ‘’Covid chaos’’ had caused over half of sales to fall through.
Interestingly, a third of those cancelled sales involved the buyer changing their mind and pulling out of the deal after a viewing. If that doesn’t highlight just how important those first viewings are, we don’t know what will. To make those first impressions truly count, here’s how to prepare your house for sale before putting it on the property market.
RESEARCH
If you are going to be putting up your house for sale, then you should know as much about the local property market as possible.
Evaluate the asking price of similar properties in the area, and assess from afar (or even in person, doing a little reconnaissance work) their strengths and weaknesses, to develop a relatively accurate estimate of your own home’s price and position within the market.
If you search the term ”sell house quick in London”, you’ll notice that the average property sale time in the city takes 3 to 6 months. Making a similar search concerning property sales in your area will provide you with a little background information on what to expect moving forward.
CLEAN
There’s no point deliberating over the most minuscule of aesthetic considerations if your house as a whole is untidy or unclean. Getting out the spirit level out to straighten up your bathroom mirror, burnishing the door handles, spraying eau de’ freshly baked bread around the house…all of this can wait.
First and foremost, you need to undertake a comprehensive, all encompassing cleaning operation of your house, from top to bottom. It’s worth investing in a professional cleaning service. Though the initial outlay is, of course, more than if you were to undertake the job yourself, the added value to your home can’t be understated. A clean house inspires confidence in buyers and establishes trust early on.
Dust, dirt, a dishevelled appearance, or even a lurking, unpleasant aroma, can be enough to deter a sale, both noticeably and subconsciously.
REPAINT
‘’Nothing a lick of paint won’t fix’’….though it’s an exclamation often said with more than a hint of irony attached, it does bear some truth. Fresh paint, and even the smell of it, can make a property feel fresh and modern, and more importantly, serves to depersonalise the space sufficiently to enable potential buyers to imagine themselves living in the property. More of that later, by the way.
The best way to do that is to paint your house in a neutral colour which facilitates viewer visualisation and offers the impression of a ‘blank slate’ ready to be reimagined. In 2016, Asda Good Living published an article discussing the results of a survey made by home improvement website Zillow Digs. The findings revealed a fascinating insight into the impact of colour scheme on the overall value of a property. They discovered that ‘’Warm neutrals fared the best, with yellows and light greys increasing the value of homes’’.
Interesting, sure, but even more enlightening were the colours which detrimentally affected a home’s value; a dark grey dining room lowered the value of a house by around £850, kitchens painted off-white or eggshell caused a £62 reduction, painting your bedroom brown knocks about £180 off the value, and painting your living room terracotta decreases a home’s value by approximately £600. Wow!
Ideally, you should paint both the inside and outside of your house, and that includes your front door; according to Country Life, blue and green are the best front door colours for selling a house. Both the exterior and interior are a reflection of the state of your property, and speak volumes (superficially, we know) about the state of the house as a whole.
REPAIR
Another thing every homeowner should do when listing their house on the real estate market is to repair any underlying issues which might be lurking (or even be visible), to enhance the viewer’s overall impression of the property and instil confidence as you move through the property and then hopefully through the motions of a sale.
According to repairpricer.com/home-inspection-checklist/, you should first inspect the property from the eyes of a potential buyer, focusing on five separate areas of the home specifically, checking that each is in their best possible state and that there is no obvious damage or underlying issues. These are:
Your grounds (if you have an outdoor space)
The structure of your home
Its exterior surfaces
Its windows, doors and wood trim
The roof
Ensuring there is no damage, both superficial or structural, will optimise the value of your property.
IMPRESS
First impressions matter significantly, whether you are talking about people or about properties. If you want to make a good first impression when selling your house, it’s essential that you improve its kerb appeal; that is, the attractiveness of your property when viewed from the drive, front garden or even from the street.
Rather than witter on and distract you from sprucing up your house, we’ll redirect you to this super useful article from the experts at *checks notes* IDEAL Magazine on 5 ways to improve your home’s kerb appeal.
DEPERSONALISE
You will likely still be living in your house whilst going through the process of selling it. However, it is paramount that you depersonalise the house if you are going to enter the real estate market. Buyers will be unable to visualise themselves in your home if it is too personal and geared towards your niche tastes and offbeat lifestyle.
It’s wise, at the very least, to remove family photos, any provocative artwork, and any memorabilia or equipment relating to your hobbies. The potential buyer wants to imagine their future life in the property, not your current one.
To make things that little bit easier for potential buyers, get rid of (or hide) excess stuff that you’ve accumulated throughout the years, making your place appear more spacious and allowing a little imaginative reinterpretation of the layout in the viewer’s mind. Also important, if you have bulky furniture that makes the room feel small, consider removing it and replacing it with smaller furniture, even if it’s just on a temporary basis.
Prospective buyers should walk into a clean, impersonal and preferably sterile environment when they visit the house. You should only leave items that enhance the ‘liveability’ of the space and don’t leave a personal impression.
ORGANISE
For those places in the home where you decide to stash your stuff, you should make sure that they are immaculately organised, even if they are out of view. Buyers are certainly going to evaluate the storage spaces in a home, peeking in cupboards and opening drawers and doors, and you don’t want them to find any areas looking messy. Ultimately, this can give off the impression of a stressful, difficult to manage property.
The truth is that the first (and majority) of public appraisals of your property will take place online. This means that the quality of the photos that you take of your home hold huge importance. As such, it’s worth hiring a professional photographer to take high-quality pictures of your home; they’ll be able to find the right angles to make it appear as spacious, light and clean as possible.
On the flip side, by taking blurry, out-of-focus photos of your property, you’ll be doing the place and ultimately, its value, a disservice. Make sure these photos count.
According to a report by the Guardian “There’s been a rapid rise in submissions from would-be authors since the coronavirus outbreak”, and frankly, we’re not surprised.
Though our recently acquired quill didn’t produce anything more than ‘’once upon a time’’, it seems others have been more productive. Isolation has encouraged many would-be authors to follow their dreams and put pen to paper on their first novel in the hope of securing a publishing deal and a career weaving wonder throughout the imaginations of the country.
It’s often posited that some of the most interesting art and creativity emerges from times of national or global crisis, and whilst we’re yet to see if this is true of COVID-19’s impact on the world, it does present an opportunity for new writers from diverse backgrounds to smash the glass ceiling.
But just how do you hone your skills in a field where balancing discipline and nurturing a roving imagination is required?
To become a great writer, you have to practice the art. This thing won’t just jump from mind to pen to page without first nurturing the creative process. You also need to get a keen grasp of grammar, prose, and structure whilst developing your own sense of style and voice. With so much to consider, we thought we’d dive in a little deeper; if you’re aspiring to be a great novelist someday, then here’s how to hone your craft.
READ, READ, READ
The world’s greatest writers don’t always have a pen in their hand. Rather, they are never without a book; a constant source of inspiration and grounding and the key ingredient to honing your craft.
Before you begin writing, it’s essential that you consume words in every available medium and style, in order to develop your own unique voice.
Immerse yourself in print, from old, unfamiliar novels uncovered on the dusty shelves of a charity shop all the way to the latest candid confessionals unique to the nether regions of Reddit’s most esoteric forums.
From a simple shopping list to a Wikipedia entry, everything is nourishment for an insatiable soul, so spread your net far and wide when looking to land inspiration for your writing.
WRITER’S ESSENTIALS
What do you need to write? It seems almost coarse to consider the mechanics of writing when so much of the important stuff occurs in the mind, but you’re going to need to create a peaceful space conducive to long sessions of writing, editing and ideas-forming if you’re going to be properly productive moving forward.
Most writers will have a laptop, desktop, or a writing pad in the modern era, unlike before when people used writing pads, pen and paper. Many find that both work, with a screen more efficient but equally, full of distraction, and a pen and page slower but more measured, and possessing of a certain, quiet majesty.
You also require a writing space. It has to be a calm, conducive place that will support your writing. Let’s get clinical here; for the long stretches of putting all of your ideas in print, you’re going to want a decent desk with an ergonomic setup that allows your screen to be at eye height, your arms bent at the elbow and arms at a right angle, your back positioned upright against its chair…you know the drill.
In tandem, you should ideally have a separate space for contemplative moments; place a writer’s chair in a quiet corner – your ‘happy place’ as it were – where you settle in for inspiration. You’re going to be spending huge amounts of time both in your writer’s chair and at your desk, so make sure they’re comfortable and supportive of your posture and process.
PRIORITISE PRODUCTIVITY
It pays to invest in productivity. Without having a productive space, you won’t go far with your writing. You leave yourself prone to procrastination (come to think of it; is this procrastination?) and risking writer’s block, which will make your story lack flow and authenticity of voice.
Your space must prepare you for writing, both mentally and physically. To hone your productivity, you need to create a separate writing area, as we mentioned, keeping things clutter free and minimalist.
Writing from a computer, laptop, or other smart gadgets, ensure they are disconnected from the internet and all distractions disabled. For your mental space, you need to develop some good writing habits which deter procrastination (a curious tautology of sorts, we think). A quick walk outside to clear your head, or even simply counting down from ten before returning to the page, can help you realign your focus.
Unsurprisingly, there is currently little appetite for dystopian fiction or stories based around the ongoing global crisis, and experts predict that we may well never want an influx of art which references this bleak time. In fact, many art commentators have referenced how the previous global pandemic, the Spanish Flu of 1918, and pointed to the fact that ‘’Nobody Made Great Art About the Previous World-Shaking Pandemic’’, as well as the emergence of the Roaring Twenties and its associated hedonism and escapism, as clues to what we might expect from the public mood as the decade progresses.
DEVELOP YOUR VOICE AND REFINE IT
Your ‘voice’ on the page is what defines you and sets you apart in the literary world.
According to the guys at Masterclass, ‘’Certain authors’ voices can be recognized in a single sentence. Novelists like Ernest Hemingway, Toni Morrison, and Joseph Conrad each have a defined narrative voice that leaps off the page—an experienced reader wouldn’t confuse Morrison for Hemingway, or any other famous author for that matter’’.
They go on to offer a definition of voice in writing; ‘’In literature, “voice” refers to the rhetorical mixture of vocabulary, tone, point of view, and syntax that makes phrases, sentences, and paragraphs flow in a particular manner. Novels can represent multiple voices: that of the narrator and those of individual characters.’’
So far, so straightforward. But developing your own unique voice is a fine balancing act; a clumsy, overly deliberate voice can feel jarring, and often a recognisable voice which reveals the author requires nuance and craft. Take your time, then, to develop this voice, taking inspiration from everyday life – snippets from overheard conversations, exchanges on social media, memories of curious turns of phrase or revealing confessions – which will all feed into a more authentic, well-rounded on-page persona.
THE BOTTOM LINE
Phew, it wasn’t easy to write this, and novel this ain’t. If you’re going to become a successful author, it’s going to take guts, determination and the all-important development of that unique, instantly recognisable voice. How did you like ours?
