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5 WAYS TO STAY CONNECTED WITH COLLEAGUES WHEN WORKING FROM HOME

Vicky Clifford Sanghad
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5 WAYS TO STAY CONNECTED WITH COLLEAGUES WHEN WORKING FROM HOME

Ideal for easy communication with co-workers.

Positive workplace morale can be an incredibly difficult thing to cultivate. There are divergent motivations to manage, power struggles to juggle and relationships fraught with friction to finesse. But as the old saying goes; ‘’teamwork makes the dream work’’. So, it’s vital that you continue to nurture beneficial, harmonious relationships with coworkers, even if the current climate calls for that to occur remotely.

Indeed, remote working has presented businesses with a whole host of new challenges, but nine months in, most companies are fortunately finding their feet with the new arrangement.

In fact, both employers and employees are finding that there are, in fact, many benefits to working from home, including a better work-life balance, greater overall flexibility, and in some cases, even an increase in productivity. 

But working from home has as many pitfalls as perks, and one thing it certainly lacks is the sense of community that a physical office often provides. This can lead to members of the team feeling isolated and out of the loop and may even present certain practical issues with workplace communication that can in turn have a negative impact on output. 

Fear not, there are some surefire ways to fix this sense of disconnect. These are those; our 5 ways to stay connected with colleagues whilst working from home.

KEEP UP WITH TRADITION

Though we never thought we’d admit to missing Keith from IT’s dad jokes and Karen’s tales of a tedious weekend, having only our partner for ‘office bantz’ has left us longing for the mundane chitchat provided by our colleagues.

Indeed, the social aspect of work is one of the most missed elements of the office for many. From friendly chatter between desks to Friday evening trips to the pub, the people you work with are often more than simply colleagues – they’re friends.

If you’re missing these interactions, why not suggest an after-work video hangout to recreate that communal feeling? Take advantage of seasonal opportunities, too – with December approaching, now could be a great time to suggest a virtual work Christmas party or remote Secret Santa, for instance. 

COLLABORATE WITH OTHERS 

When working remotely, it can be tempting to try and tackle too many tasks at once and attempt to solve problems single-handedly; roles and responsibilities have tended to get a little skew-whiff and distorted without face-to-face communication and collaboration these last few months, after all.

Remember that no person is an island, and while you might be on your own physically, you are still part of a team. Don’t be shy about reaching out when you need help and encourage others to do the same. 

Check in with other team members too in order to keep track of progress. Naturally, some things can be dealt with efficiently in email exchanges and direct messaging, but the occasional (a heavy emphasis on that word here) Zoom meeting can be extremely helpful when collaborating on shared projects, as a natural face-to-face conversational flow can often be significantly more productive in exploring new ideas and concepts. This is known as the water-cooler effect and is a proven phenomenon! 

Of course, it’s easy for key points and action items to get overlooked during these discussions, owing to fatigue with the whole process. To ensure nothing important gets missed, you might consider using tools specialised in providing zoom meeting summaries. These tools automatically capture key points, action items, and decisions made during meetings, making it easier for team members to stay aligned.

INVEST IN A VIRTUAL OFFICE 

The concept of a ‘virtual office’ may sound like an oxymoron, but in fact, it can be an excellent solution to the conundrums many businesses face right now as they debate whether there is, in fact, a need for a physical office space at all anymore. 

Fortunately this need has been met by innovative companies looking to facilitate that office ‘feel’ remotely. Business hub Arise Innovation, for instance, offers virtual office packages which grant access to an array of networking facilities, digital events and meeting rooms. Might this be the solution you’re looking for?

Combing the best of both worlds by fostering communication and development within teams and businesses, and ensuring that physical meeting space is still available when necessary, this is an option which certainly provides food for thought. 

ONLINE TEAMBUILDING

We’re not the first to be secretly grateful that the annual office Christmas party has to occur online this year. That post New Year pick-me-up paintballing trip also looks under threat, and frankly, we’re delighted. 

Instead, more time efficient, comfortable and infinitely less oppressive online teambuilding is set to become ever more popular, and many Brits are welcoming the development. Whilst previous, face-to-face ‘icebreaker’ exercises used to always feel forced, being able to participate from home has much less of the ‘organised fun’ about it, don’t you think?

Consider hosting a virtual quiz or communal fitness event to keep morale up from a distance. Or, why not all attend an enjoyable, informative online cooking class, funded by management, of course? 

MAKE USE OF APPS

Sure, we’ve already mentioned Zoom as a fantastic facilitator of communication and connection with colleagues, but why stop there? There are a vast plethora of apps available to you which can boost morale, enhance collaboration and help keep coworkers in conversation, and many are free. Rather than witter on, we’ll redirect you to our advice on 5 ways to make working from home easy with apps. Do check it out!

THE BOTTOM LINE

When it comes to the world of offices and communication with colleagues the times they are a-changin’. Looking to the future, whether you’re relocating your business into a new space or simply undergoing an office renovation to help your company be more equipped to tackle these uncertain new times, here’s 7 potential mistakes you should avoid when designing your new office. 

PREPARING YOUR HOME FOR WINTER: 5 TIPS AND TRICKS

Vicky Clifford Sanghad
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PREPARING YOUR HOME FOR WINTER: 5 TIPS AND TRICKS

Ideal for keeping things cosy and comfortable in the colder months ahead.

‘Winter is coming’. Weather reports suggest that by the end of the week, temperatures are set to drop by as much as 7 degrees, with snow even predicted for some regions in the UK. Once upon a time, preparing for the onset of the colder months meant heading to the high street to treat yourself to a new winter coat. 

But 2020 is a very different beast, and this year, preparation for the thermometer dropping is going to be a distanced, domestic affair. It’s never been more pressing to get your home in good shape for winter – we’re all going to be spending an awful lot of time there, after all. 

With that in mind, here’s 5 tips and tricks for preparing your home for winter, IDEAL for keeping things cosy and comfortable in the colder months ahead.

THINK OUTSIDE THE BOX

Naturally, when it comes to the topic of winter, most people start by considering the central heating. But let’s start today’s article by going off on a slightly different tangent and heading outside. After all, it feels like a more natural progression, right? Begin outdoors and work your way in…

One of the most common external problems involves the drains. Winter prompts leaves, mud and all sorts of other debris to build up in and around the drains and over time, they can become blocked. The repercussions can be frustrating, to say the least, so it’s worth taking a little time to clear them of clutter, cut back any overgrown hedges and trees which may be contributing to falling debris, and analyse the other external areas of your property before winter gets in full flow to reduce these risks somewhat.

A few key external maintenance checks and procedures include:

– Make sure you treat any wooden windows so they can guard against rot during the damper months.

– Add some lagging to your outside tap to ensure that it does not freeze when the temperatures drop.

– If you have any outdoor lights, now is the time to get them working. The days are shorter, and they will be used more than ever before.

– Put any outdoor furniture out of sight. If you’re struggling for space, self storage prices are relatively low over winter and can protect your furniture from any weather-related damage.

INSULATION STATIONS

Brrr, it’s a little chilly out here. Let’s head indoors where few would disagree that insulation is one of the most cost-efficient methods to secure your home for winter.

The loft is where you should start, although if this has already been carried out, then consider your walls, too, helping you keep warm whilst saving money.

Insulating your house needn’t mean massive investments and months of building work; in fact, it will likely save you on heating bills in the long run. Rest assured, this is one you can do yourself, too.

Proper insulation simply means preventing cold air from getting in through cracks and crevices, in turn preventing cherished warmer air escaping. Buy sealant strips from your local B&Q (other stores are available) and shore up any areas around doors and windows liable to be leaking air. Floor sealant can be applied around skirting boards; a common source of draughts.

Draught-proofing is an excellent way to seal up all the gaps without closing off your house ventilation entirely – simply add some draught-proofing to letterboxes, pet doors, at the bottom of doors and around your windows. 

GIVE YOUR BOILER A DRY RUN

If we were to pick just one method to prepare your home for winter, it would revolve around the nemesis of so many homeowners and renters; your boiler.

The best advice here is to give it a dry run before winter fully sets in. If you leave it until the temperatures reach those dreaded minuses, only to discover things are amiss, then you’ll be at the back of the queue when it comes to getting it fixed. Indeed, every plumber and heating engineer will attest that demand for their services shoots up as the colder months arrive.

As such, test things yourself and even if everything is working, get it serviced to ensure that this is going to remain the case. The boiler experts at *checks notes* IDEAL Magazine have written a really useful guide about when to know when your boiler needs servicing. Do check it out.

PRIME THOSE PIPES

On a similar note, it’s not just your boiler which needs readying for the harsher elements.

When the temperature drops, it’s easy for your pipes to freeze and break. And the last thing you want to be doing in winter is fiddling around in the cold, trying to fix something you’re not qualified to understand. 

To get all scientific, pipes burst due to a build-up of pressure within them caused by water molecules expanding. But we’re not worried about the cause here, more how to avoid it. Prevention is clearly preferable to cure here, and the best way to pre-empt and protect from frozen or burst pipes is to keep your house at a consistent temperature, preferably via your thermostat.

Even if you’re away on a winter holiday, it’s a good idea to have your heating on a timer, at least coming on for a couple of hours each day, to keep your pipes in good nick. Insulating your pipes is also a smart move.

BLEED YOUR RADIATORS

While we’re at it, when was the last time you bled your radiators? You probably already know that radiators naturally collect air in the top as water expands and contracts during heating and cooling, and because of this, it’s important that you check your radiators and their ability to heat up fully between seasons to prepare for colder periods. 

Fortunately, bleeding your radiators is a fairly simple process. Firstly, turn on your central heating and feel for any cold spots of patches along the top of the radiator. Then, turn off your central heating and allow it to cool a little; you don’t want any water spurting out to be boiling hot. 

Next, you’ll need a radiator bleed key (you can actually use a flat head screwdriver on most modern radiators) and a cloth. Locate the bleed valve, which is found at the top of the radiator, and use the key to turn it anticlockwise for around a quarter of a turn (don’t turn it all the way or excess water will escape). At this point, you should hear a hissing sound; don’t be alarmed, it’s simply the sound of trapped air making a break for freedom. Some water may also escape; just use your cloth to catch it.

Once air has stopped escaping, the hissing has ceased, and only water is dripping (not air) then the task is complete. Tighten the valve and move onto the next radiator.

7 OF THE WORST WORKING FROM HOME DISTRACTIONS

Vicky Clifford Sanghad
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7 OF THE WORST WORKING FROM HOME DISTRACTIONS


…and the IDEAL solutions to help you stay focused when working remotely.

This just in; we are one distracted workforce. A survey recently published in HR Director Magazine reveals a list of what has British home workers ‘shirking from home’ most often during this extended, Government enforced period of home working, and it makes for all too familiar reading from where we’re sitting.

Yep, we realise this irony of bringing this up whilst you’re most likely distracted from your deadlines reading it, but we’re on a roll now, so stay with us. Otherwise, we’ll likely get sidelined, too.

Where were we? Ah yes! Distractions…

Fortunately, wisdom comes from experience, as the old saying goes, and as such we’re in a privileged position to reveal the ideal solutions to what’s got you doing anything but your work. With that in mind, here are 7 of the worst working from home distractions and the IDEAL solutions to help you stay focused.

CLEANING THE HOUSE

It comes as no surprise that ‘cleaning the house’ tops the list of most common distractions for lockdown home workers. We must confess that we got up in the middle of writing that sentence to dust a shelf, and evidently, we’re not alone.

Cluttered desks and a sink full of dishes can be incredibly distracting when you’ve deadlines to meet, and it’s best to stay on top of the cleaning so it doesn’t eat into your day and sap productivity. But how to stay on top of it when there’s always a speck, spot or blemish lurking in your peripherals that needs seeing to? Well, firstly, in such cases, out of sight really is out of mind. Designate a specific place for working away from ‘mess’ and other distraction, physically fenced off from chores. 

You should also fence off your time from doing chores, setting aside a short, strict window each day for when you tidy up, comprehensively. Half drunk coffee mugs and half finished crosswords are simply not conducive to a productive day.

With the prospect of cleaning far more imposing than the actual effort given to doing it, you’ll find real benefits in taking 10 – 20 minutes out of each day to make sure your space is clear of clutter and dirt before you begin work. It’s about entering the minimalist zone, trying to get rid of any and all distractions that threaten to take your eye off the work in hand. Because once you lose focus, it can be difficult to regain it.

8 OF THE WORST WORKING FROM HOME DISTRACTIONS

CHECKING SOCIAL MEDIA

Checking social media is another huge distraction for home workers. And here’s some totally unsurprising but still fascinating research; studies have shown that even just seeing your phone nearby can mess with your concentration, with the temptation of doom scrolling, connecting with friends and arguing with strangers too much to resist if you’re even reminded of your phone’s existence.

First things first, then, is to make sure you place your phone away from your eye line when you’re working, preferably in the other room if you don’t need it for completing tasks or receiving work related calls. Having a separate phone dedicated only to work, without any social media apps installed, can go some way to helping with the distraction of Instagram, Twitter et al, too.

Now that your phone’s placed out of sight, mind and reach, it’s a wise move to log out of (or delete!) all of your social media accounts on your laptop or desktop, making impulsive, mindless clicking and checking more difficult to do. Ideally, you’ll change the password to something impossible to remember which only your phone logs, not your work computer. Though this might seem drastic, smartphones and social media are deliberately addictive, and somewhat extreme measures are necessary to prevent you from losing your whole day to them.

ONLINE SHOPPING

The lure of online shopping has also been listed as one of the main distractions for home office workers during the coronavirus pandemic. With retail currently shifting its focus online, and bricks’n’mortar shops primarily closed, the pull of Amazon, H&M and others can feel greater than ever.

Rather than having your shopping cart tab open all day and tinkering with it constantly, allocate a specific, short ‘browsing window’ each day when you get your shopping done. To prevent the impulsive purchases stacking up (so easy to do online), experts recommend leaving a 24 hour window before you actually click ‘buy’, allowing you to sleep on the decision and consider it more laterally. Should your online shopping tendencies verge on the uncontrollable, then freezing your card each morning (available on most mobile banking apps) can serve as a jolting reminder to think twice before spending.

8 OF THE WORST WORKING FROM HOME DISTRACTIONS

SNACKING & TOO MANY TEAS

How many times have you looked in the fridge today? Suddenly, the office kitchen is a only few steps away, full of all your favourite snacks (without the need to label them) and free from another awkward intrusion of your personal space by Derek from IT. The temptation for home office workers and those running a business from home 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. 

Like most people working from home right now, we’re guilty of opening the fridge door whenever we’re feeling bored or stressed, whether we’re hungry or not, and indulging in zombie-like mindless munching. Here at IDEAL, we’ve been prone to making a sandwich when we’re suffering from writer’s block. If we’re dealing with a tricky client (you know who you are), we need a cup of green tea and a biscuit to soothe our nerves. Or, if we’ve just landed a new advertising client, well, that calls for a walk to the shop and a celebratory snack. Indeed, it’s hard to resist the call of the refrigerator, especially when we’re working from home.

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 meal times can help keep your cravings at bay and your belly satisfied, making you less likely to turn to snacks. Drinking plenty of water and staying hydrated is a key defence against snack cravings, too. Consider creating a snack box full of healthy bites like carrot sticks, edamame beans and nuts. Finally, if you feel like you need a break, step outside, take a walk and have a proper break to clear your head instead of one simply to fill your belly.

8 OF THE WORST WORKING FROM HOME DISTRACTIONS

COOKING

According to a report by the Independent, more than a fifth of Brits are now cooking every meal from scratch, compared to just one in eight before the lockdown. Indeed, many of us are finding comfort in cooking, which is a wonderful thing. However, whilst our meals have certainly benefited, our productivity hasn’t.

To enjoy wonderful homecooked food but still keep on top your deadlines, it’s wise, then, to do some carefully meal planning and prep, and batch cooking at the weekend, freezing food for later in the week. Check out our IDEAL strategies for meal planning for some really useful advice on doing just that.

THE PULL OF VICES

Well, it’s 5 o’clock somewhere in the world…

Working from home, away from the prying eyes of management and the expectation to uphold the company’s proud image has left many of us tempted to let ourselves go. The pull of vices, particularly having a cheeky drink with lunch and smoking with abandon at our desks, has certainly felt strong in these troubling times. 

But succumbing to urges and impulses is unlikely to help you tackle this topsy turvy 2020 with the clear head it requires. As such, it might be beneficial for work based productivity to not keep booze in the house during the working week, and in terms of your health, prioritise less harmful alternatives to smoking, too. 

According to the NHS, a landmark study found that ‘’long term vaping (is) far safer than smoking.’’ Though of course the health benefits are welcome, switching will also mean you don’t have to step out to have a cigarette each time that craving hits, helping productivity, too.

However, you should be aware that vaping is not entirely risk-free, and the fluids still contain harmful chemicals found in cigarette smoke, although at lower levels. Other nicotine replacements are effective, and more medically approved too. These include gum, nasal spray, lozenges or an inhaler.

WATCHING TV

Finally, the seduction of switching on the TV for ‘just one episode of Friends’ or to check in on the news has got the UK shirking from home rather than working in 2020.

It might sound counterintuitive, here, but taking more breaks and striving to make the most of them is the best way to counter TV’s temptation. Indeed, studies have shown that ‘’a series of microbreaks can have a powerful effect on your mind’’. 

So, take regular, more meaningful breaks, set them at a specific time each day, and use that time to exercise, study a language, go for a walk, do a yoga session… the trick here is to maximise the potential of break time to get refreshed, reinvigorated and regain focus; and let’s face it, TV just isn’t doing that.

5 IDEAL TIPS TO CELEBRATE THE BOXING DAY RACES FROM HOME

Vicky Clifford Sanghad
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5 IDEAL TIPS TO CELEBRATE THE BOXING DAY RACES FROM HOME

Of all UK Boxing Day traditions – of fighting with family for the last of the leftovers, of freezing cold footy ending in a nil nil, of, hair of the dog beaten hangovers – there’s one which will be missed more than any this year; the Boxing Day races.

The annual horse racing on the 26th symbolises a huge sigh of relief for so many. With the build up to Christmas and the day itself often fraught with stress and tension, the Boxing Day races never fails to feel like a return to more familiar, self-indulgent fun.

Of course, this year, things look very different indeed. The British Horse Racing Association have announced a much reworked schedule, cautioning that ‘’the changes, which affect fixtures between 21 and 30 December…will (likely) take place behind closed doors’’.

After this topsy turvy year, we’ll take what we can get, and fortunately, several races have been rearranged for the 28th and 30th, with the 29th at Southwell still occurring but moved from afternoon flats to under floodlights. 

Don’t let these new announcements spoil a tradition as cherished as overcooked turkey and a sozzled, unseemly uncle. Indeed, just as we saw people celebrate the Royal Ascot at home earlier this year, so should the Boxing Day races (albeit a couple of days later) still be celebrated.

Should you still be keen to tune in and enjoy the racing’s fun and frolics with the family from the comfort of home, then you’ve come to the right place; here are 5 IDEAL tips for celebrating the Boxing Day races from home.

WHERE TO WATCH

Traditionally, ITV covers the main events live, from Wetherby and Wolverhampton to Surrey’s Kempton Park, where the most prestigious race of the season, the King George VI, takes place. Racing TV also covers all of the major races of the period; you’ll find it on channel 261 on Freeview, 426 on Sky and 536 on Virgin. Alternatively, you could tune in to the coverage on Radio 5 Live Sports Extra; because let’s be honest, the commentary is one of the most exciting parts.

Though you won’t be following the action live and trackside, if you’re anything like us then you’re usually watching the race and highlights on a massive screen at the bar anyway. It’s just part and parcel of the fun. 

As such, you’re going to need to set up a projector outdoors to enhance your at-home race day experience. And don’t forget the speakers; a proper surround sound affair will give the immersive experience you’re after. You want to hear every hoof bouncing off the turf and Francesca Cumani’s cadence, don’t you?

TRANSFORM YOUR GARDEN 

As anyone who has attended an outdoors event on Boxing day will attest, with Winter comes rain and blustery weather. As such, creating a sheltered area in your garden, ideally around a garden patio or terrace as a focus, is a wise move. A garden windshield is just the ticket if you’re gathering outside to watch an event – acrylic sheets are the ideal material for such a windshield as they are 30 times stronger than glass (and safer, too), much lighter and great for hosting a single day event. 

A heavyweight, retractable awning will keep you dry and protect you from the elements. Consider investing in some outdoor heating, too. Though it seems like a big spend for one or two days of filler fun, you may well find yourself at home for the first few months of 2021 too, and grateful for the more hospitable outdoor space. 

As rules change and evolve daily, do keep an eye on the latest Government announcements regarding what’s permitted in terms of inter-household mixing. You never know…meeting with other households might be allowed in the garden by Christmas time.

BOOZE, FOOD & FANCY DRESS 

Dressing up fancy and fancy dress, two similar sounding concepts that couldn’t be further apart. Fortunately, both are welcome at the races! 

Just as races throughout the year see men in tweed suits and women in frocks and fascinators, the Boxing Day races are no exception – it’s an excuse to get dressed up and a welcome change from the Christmas jumpers and elastic waisted trousers of the previous day. Some courses do traditionally permit more wacky fancy dress – an excuse to get another wear out of your Santa or Elf outfit after Christmas Day has passed? – but generally speaking, this is a fine reason to get dressed up to the nines after slobbing around and regressing on the sofa the previous day. 

When it comes to refreshments, consider creating an outdoor bar with beer or prosecco on tap (or both, of course!). For a real race day experience – and if you’re likely to break things outside – consider recyclable or compostable plastic cups; a defining part of the experience, don’t you think?    

As picnic hampers are often a part of people’s festive day out at the races, consider creating one using the Christma lunch leftovers. Ensemble a hot turkey pie, bubble and squeak, and a sandwich of pigs in blankets – the joy of being at home and having an oven! And just like so many of the Boxing Day racing events, a mulled wine and mince pie on arrival is obligatory. We can’t wait.

BETTING

Of course, one of the main focuses of the Boxing Day racing fun is the betting itself. One of the perks of hosting this occasion at home is that the day itself doesn’t have to revolve around money won or lost. Indeed, it needn’t be a case of getting carried away, backing a horse whose colours you like, and then losing more than you budgeted for. 

Instead, you could allocate a family member to be the ‘bookie’, and create your own bet slips, using the odds you find online. Then, it’s up to the family if they play with imaginary money, a few copper coins, or that fiver your favourite aunt and uncle have sent since you were six. Perhaps you could allocate a festive prize for the winner to keep things interesting!   

THROW A VIRTUAL EVENT FOR CHARITY 

Should you not be able to gather with any of your family and friends on Boxing Day, but still want to celebrate a British tradition, then consider hosting a ‘Race Night’ at home to raise money for a cause you care about this Christmas. The season is all about spreading goodwill, cheer and charity, after all. 

Race Night Services comes recommended by the Sunday Mirror, featured in their ‘Staying In Guide’ earlier this year, and here’s what they said about it: 

“This unique idea enables you to reconnect with friends and family while raising money for an amazing cause…. It’s ideal entertainment for a night in lockdown. You need someone who knows spreadsheets and Google hangouts. Then ask up to 10 people to two £20 into a kitty to buy a downloadable Race Night Kit, (they used racenightservices.co.uk)’. 

‘If you get creative with prices, this will leave you with £150 to donate to a charity of your choice. The fun starts when you make up your own horses names, get everyone to pick a horse each, then play the race videos on your laptop while sharing your screen on a mass Google Hangout. Charity Race Night guidelines are available on the Gambling Commission website.”

5 RECORD BREAKING THINGS TO SEE IN LAS VEGAS

Vicky Clifford Sanghad
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5 RECORD BREAKING THINGS TO SEE IN LAS VEGAS

Ideal for those looking to do more in Sin City than just gamble.

Las Vegas is one of the most recognised cities in the world. And for anyone familiar with the ostentation and allure of Sin City, it should come as no surprise that the city holds several world records relating to swagger, swank but mostly, size.

For sheer competitiveness, it’s pretty unmatched the world over, with a rightful claim to being the city that genuinely never sleeps, lights that you can see from outer space and towers which serve as temples to the dollar. If you’re heading here soon, and want to revel in some of the city’s boasts, then read on; here are 5 record breaking things to see in Las Vegas, IDEAL for those looking to do more Sin City than just gamble.

A HISTORY OF BREAKING RECORDS

But first, some history; Las Vegas has been a centre for construction and creativity of a capitalist bent for decades. We all know that today it has some huge casinos, resorts, and concert halls. But not all of us know that this has been the case for over half a century. 

In the 1960s, Las Vegas built the world’s largest resort hotel. This was no mean feat (quite literally!). For a relatively small city to be competing with the entire world, it was one hell of a statement. The International Hotel had 1,159 rooms. And, perhaps even more significantly, Barbara Streisand opened the hotel’s inaugural show. She sang her famous “I’ve got plenty of nothing and nothing’s plenty for me.” We wouldn’t call 1,159 rooms nothing, but there you go! 

THE WORLD’S TALLEST FERRIS WHEEL 

Want to see those lights from a particularly stunning vantage point? Vegas has got you covered for that, too. The High Roller, on the promenade at the LINQ hotel, is the tallest ferris wheel in the world, standing at nearly 168 metres tall. If you’re keen to ride a record breaking wheel in Vegas, be warned; construction is underway on the Ain Dubai, which is set to clock in at 250 metres and open in the near future.

The High Roller is particularly fabulous during Christmas time in Vegas, when the light shows (and shopping options) below are taken up a notch, even for this city’s standards! Catch it while you can.

THE WORLD’S LARGEST CHANDELIER

Las Vegas is famous for its lights, so it is no surprise that many of this city’s record-breaking fixtures illuminate their after-hours skyline. In fact, Las Vegas is home to the world’s largest chandelier.

Clocking in at 10,000 square feet, more than 2 million crystals, and 65 feet tall, this chandelier will wow and surprise in equal measure. Perhaps most incredibly, each bead is handmade. You can visit this marvel at the Cosmopolitan Hotel where it has been since 2010.

THE WORLD’S LARGEST SPORTSBOOK 

While we might expect Vegas to be home to the world’s largest casino, that is actually not the case; that honour goes to the WinStar World Casino in Oklahoma. However, Vegas is home to the world’s largest sportsbook. In fact, this mega structure has only recently opened, potentially changing the Vegas landscape forever. 

Circa is truly a groundbreaking place, dedicated to sports rather than tables, wheels and slots, which makes it fairly unique amongst the crowded Las Vegas landscape. Three stories of betting isn’t even what makes this place truly stand out. What’s most special is perhaps the giant screen that spans all three floors! That’s not the only groundbreaking screen here. Outside the resort, Circa has a 40ft tall screen, too, in high-definition. You won’t miss another moment of the action.

THE WORLD’S LARGEST GIFT SHOP

Bonanza is located on the Las Vegas strip between Sahara and the Stratosphere. At 40,000 feet squared it is billed as the world’s largest gift shop and has been since 1980, the year of its inception and opening.

Whatever type of souvenir you are looking for, you will be sure to find it here; there’s crockery, mugs, T-shirts, keyrings, ashtrays, bottle openers, fridge magnets and more, all adorned with the I LOVE LV logo. Even if you don’t want to buy anything, it’s certainly an event to get lost in the aisles of fun nick nacks. Plus for any Nicolas Cage fans, you might recognise the shop from his 2016 film The Trust. 

THE WORLD’S LARGEST MECHANICAL NEON SIGN

Las Vegas is perhaps best known, even beyond the less salubrious excesses of the city, for its big lights illuminating the strip. But this one stands out even among the other flashing lights. 

You have probably seen it. It is the iconic cowboy, Vegas Vic, on Fremont street where he stands guard over the Pioneer Gift Shop. He has a retro cowboy look, complete with bandana, plaid shirt, blue jeans, cowboy hat, and, of course, a cigarette. 

At forty feet tall, this honky-tonk man adds some real Western flavour to the international scene. Sadly, in recent years Vegas Vic has become somewhat symbolic of some of the more seedy subplots of the internet. Let’s hope he’s reclaimed soon!

5 OF THE BEST CASINO RESORT RESTAURANTS IN MACAU

THE IDEAL FOOD TEAM
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5 OF THE BEST CASINO RESORT RESTAURANTS IN MACAU

Ideal for celebrating a special occasion or a big win.

By now, you’re probably well aware of its ‘Vegas of the East’ moniker. But for those well acquainted with Macau, this billing does the autonomous region just a short hop from Hong Kong a huge disservice. Macau is so much more than that.

Yep, this once peaceful city is in danger of outgrowing its older sibling, with the glitz, glamour and good times turned up to 11 and a sense of fanfare at the forefront of everything the area has to offer. 

There are now more than 40 casinos in Macau and the city even has its own answer to the strip, Cotai, with glittering skyscrapers offering all sorts of delights on either side of the boulevard. Inside these skyscrapers and casinos, you’ll find one of the most celebrated, revered restaurant scenes in the world, with 18 Michelin starred restaurants (including three 3 star establishments) and countless more fine dining eateries, all offering the chance for big winners to celebrate their good fortune in style.

Should you be looking to narrow down your options, you’ve come to the right place. Here are 5 of the best casino resort restaurants in Macau, IDEAL for a celebrating a special occasion or a big win.

SICHUAN MOON AT WYNN PALACE

A new addition to Macau’s burgeoning fine-dining scene, and one of the most exciting restaurants in the world right now, is Sichuan Moon at the luxury Wynn Palace. 

The brainchild of internationally renowned chef Andre Chiang, Sichuan Moon is the most highly acclaimed restaurant in the world celebrating the super spicy, fragrant cuisine of China’s Sichuan region right now. Look out for menu highlights like the most refined version of Dan Dan noodles we’ve ever encountered, served in a teapot (diners are invited to pull these symbols of longevity through its spout!) and an artistic version of Ma Po Tofu presented nestled in a bay leaf cup.

If you think a 15 course tasting menu somewhat sells out on the soul of Sichuan food, fear not; chilli oil, preserved, fermented greens, hot and sour soups…lip service (numbed, naturally) is paid to tradition in every bite. Incredible!

WING LEI PALACE AT WYNN PALACE

Not to be confused with 2 Michelin starred Wing Lei at Wynn Macau, Wing Lei Palace at Wynn Palace (phew, you got that?) opened just two years ago but is already making waves in the Macanese dining scene.

Chef Tam Kwok Fung is at the helm here, having previously worked at the highly regarded Jade Dragon restaurant (more of that one later). Fortunately, Wing Lei Palace more than matches the chef’s prestigious reputation and ambition; a daily changing menu showcases Chef Tam’s signature Cantonese dishes beautifully, with luxurious ingredients like blue lobster and black truffle taking centre stage.

If you’re approaching Macau on something of a budget, then the lunchtime Dim Sum set menu represents good value at MOP 480 (that’s just shy of the £50 mark) per person.

8 1/2 OTTO E MEZZO BOMBANA AT GALAXY MACAU

One of neighbouring Hong Kong’s most celebrated European restaurants and the only 3 Michelin-starred Italian restaurant outside of Italy, 8 1/2 Otto E Mezzo Bombana now has two more outposts in Shanghai and Macau, with the latter opening in 2015 and earning a coveted Michelin star since.

Here, just like its celebrated older sibling, ultra-refined Italian cooking takes centre stage with the restaurant largely following the same menu as in Hong Kong. Though it should go without saying that the fresh pasta is a highlight, at the Galaxy Macau based restaurant, the pasta is seriously good.

Should white truffle be on the menu, order it; chef Bombana is a world ambassador for the stuff, and uses the rarest alba truffles generously in his dishes.

Be warned; such luxury ingredients don’t come cheap, with the 8 course tasting menu at 8 ½ E Mezzo Bombana coming in 2280 MOP (around £215) per person. Perhaps those winnings at the Galaxy Macau’s enormous collection of 1500 slots and 650 table games will come in handy here? It might pay to get some practice in first, without having to commit any coin, on a UK focussed casino site which offers free play options. Only once you’ve got your skills honed should you tackle the real tables; the glitz and glamour can cause you to get a little carried away if you’re not prepared for it.

JADE DRAGON AT CITY OF DREAMS

If you’re keen to experience Cantonese cuisine served with all the bells and whistles, pomp and tradition in tact, then Jade Dragon at City of Dreams is where you should head. The setting is as illustrious as what arrives in your bespoke bamboo baskets and onto your plate, with a vaulted ceiling, original artworks and royal golds and silvers adorning the walls, upholstery and crockery. 

The signature Peking Goose, all lacquered finish and skin which shatters like glass (in the best possible way) is a must order but be warned; you have to do so in advance. Should that level of foresight slip your mind, then fear not; their barbecue pork is equally good.

For those looking to shake off the excesses of Macau’s less salubrious side, the signature seasonal healing soups and Peach Oolong tea will see you right. Interestingly, the Jade Dragon’s Dim Sum and tea pairing is particularly revered, and a great choice for a light lunchtime treat.

  • Jade Dragon restaurant at the City of Dreams resort in Macau.

THE GOLDEN PEACOCK AT THE VENETIAN

Among The Venetian’s 20 restaurants and the Cotai Strip’s largest casino, one stands out above the rest. The Golden Peacock, a fine dining, spice loving establishment, is considered one of the planet’s most prestigious purveyors of the food of the Indian subcontinent.

Authenticity is the name of the game here, with everything from spices (ground inhouse to maximum their brightness) to claypots imported from the motherland. For vegetarians, it’s a particularly fulfilling choice; half the menu is vegetarian. 

True to casino resort tradition, there’s an epic, expansive buffet every lunchtime between 11am and 3pm which is extraordinarily good value at just 208 MOP a person (that’s less than £20!) and just 105 MOP for children. For food this good, it’s one of the cheapest Michelin starred lunches you’ll find in the world.

What, you thought you couldn’t do this thing on a budget? Think again; here are 7 IDEAL tips for travelling to Macau on a budget.

CHRISTMAS DINNER DELIVERY: 2020’s BEST AT HOME RECIPE BOXES FROM THE UK’S TOP RESTAURANTS

Vicky Clifford Sanghad
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CHRISTMAS DINNER DELIVERY: 2020’s BEST AT HOME RECIPE BOXES FROM THE UK’S TOP RESTAURANTS

Ideal for taking the hassle out of Christmas.

There’s nothing quite like Mum’s Christmas roast dinner. But judging by the way 2020 has been misbehaving, as we’re sure you’ve heard, it seems like that sacred meal is under threat. Indeed, Government restrictions mean this year’s festive season looks like it’ll all end in tiers. 

Santa coming down each and every chimney? That’s a super spreader situation right there. Instead, we expect we might be spending Christmas Day away from the family this year. If you’re braving the roast turkey for the first time, then bravo! You’ll do great. 

But if you’re taking this unprecedented, topsy turvy time as a chance to throw the rulebook out of the window, and have someone do the cooking for you, then you’ve come to the right place.

Mums, you haven’t been replaced. Rather, this is the next best thing; a properly indulgent, restaurant cooked festive meal. With that in mind, here are 2020’s best Christmas Dinner At Home recipe boxes from the UK’s top chefs and restaurants.

***This list will keep growing as more Christmas Dinner At Home boxes get announced. Please note that some boxes are collection only, some are delivery but postcode restricted, and some are delivered nationwide***

SIMON ROGAN AT HOME – FESTIVE FIVE COURSE LUNCH 

From one of the UK’s most celebrated chefs, and the proud owner of several Michelin stars across the country, comes Simon Rogan At Home, a festive five course lunch with some serious credentials. 

Though the meal costs £95 per person, you really do get what you pay for; ingredients are largely sourced from the chef’s farm in Cartmel, are of premium quality and are prepared expertly. All you have to do is heat up the vacuum-packed bags, leaving you time to get properly acquainted with your presents (or the Buck’s Fizz, if that’s more your style).

Starting with a properly decadent truffle pudding, the second course is a fish serving of cured trout and cauliflower served both dressed and pureed. Accompanying is the chef’s often imitated, never duplicated coal oil. Lovely stuff and as far removed from getting a lump of coal for Christmas as you can get. 

The ‘main’ is, of course, roast turkey (the celebrated Norfolk black variety), with all the trimmings, but given the Simon Rogan twist. Potatoes are confit and served with smoked butter, the berry jelly is fermented and the gravy the antithesis of a Bisto based affair. There’s even salt baked celeriac for the veggies and a proper Christmas pud to finish. Expect class and sophistication with every bite; and they’ll even organise a wine flight for you if you’re feeling extra fancy. After such a trying year, for one special day, we certainly are!

Nationwide delivery is available, alongside Click and collect from Cartmel. 

For more information, visit: simonroganathome.co.uk

THE NINTH CHRISTMAS BOX

We’ve been huge fans of The Ninth ever since class act Chef Jun Tanaka opened its doors in London Fitzrovia in 2016. That rabbit lasagna; those oxtail croquettes; that pain perdu…yep, we’ve had some amazing meals here in the past few years.

Well, the Michelin starred restaurant has recently announced that they’ll be delivering a box of some of chef Jun’s refined, poised cooking nationwide, and in time for Christmas Day, too! At £50 per person and going ‘from box to table in 45 minutes’, there’s no danger of a dry turkey ruining the festivities this year. 

That’s because The Ninth offers the choice of three mains; a bronze turkey ballotine (moisture already locked in); an Aberdeen Angus fillet (salt crusted, again meaning it’s going to be as tender as you like): or a vegetarian option of celeriac, potato and truffle pithivier. Considering the quality of the restaurant’s pithivier in more normal times, we might be tempted to order the latter! 

The trimmings are extensive but sophisticated; cauliflower cheese, a stuffing of sausage, apricots, chicken livers, lardo and chestnuts, pumpkin puree, crispy potatoes and so much more! 

And to finish, a riff on the Ninth’s famous pain perdu; a panettone bread and butter pudding with creme fraiche is unmissable. 

Straddling tradition and fine dining gracefully, it’s safe to day that The Ninth’s Christmas Box is a winner.

Orders must be placed before midnight on 11th December. Nationwide delivery.

For more information, visit: theninthlondon.slerp.com

TOMMY BANKS’ ‘MADE IN OLDSTEAD’ CHRISTMAS DINNER BOX FOR TWO

Celebrated, Michelin starred chef and all round good bloke Tommy Banks will be cooking Christmas Lunch for anyone lucky enough to live in and around York, have £160 (for two) to spare, and availability on Christmas Eve to pick it up. 

Those caveats dispensed with, this is a lunch you want to make time for; five courses of pure pleasure using produce grown on the Banks family’s Oldstead farm and meat, fish and dairy sourced locally, too.

You’ll start with a play on everyone’s favourite Christmas event, the cheese course, in the form of homemade sourdough and cheddar custard. Next up is another festive standard, elevated to Michelin starred heights, of course; smoked salmon with fennel and buttermilk, a gorgeous flavour combination, make no mistake. 

The main event dishes up refined versions of the classics, with turkey ballotine the headlining act, supported by everyone’s favourites; pigs in blankets, Yorkshire puds (the location demands it), sourdough bread sauce, and pomme anna (sliced, layered potatoes fried in lots of butter). Seeing as each chef and restaurant has offered a twist on the usual roast potatoes, we can only conclude that roasties don’t travel very well. Bring on the hasselbacks, rostis, Annas et al!

Two desserts top off a decadent meal, with chocolate fondant and brandy cream satisfying all the sweet-tooths in the household, and root vegetable mince pies as a wholesome yet cheffy touch to finish. Delicious!

Must collect Christmas Eve (24th) 10am – 12pm, from Bank’s restaurant Roots, in York. 

Alternatively, a Made In Oldstead provisions box can be delivered nationwide, costs £195 and includes a whole host of edible Christmas goodies.

ELITE BISTRO’S ‘CHRISTMAS BOXED OFF’

During the previous lockdown, we were lucky enough to eat Elite Bistro’s and chef Gary Usher’s superb At Home boxes – complete with instructional videos on how to warm, finish and plate up.

These guys travelled brilliantly and ate even better, so we were delighted to hear that the team are now offering to ‘box off’ your Christmas, too, and are delivering nationwide. Rejoice!

There are four choices here; turkey with all the trimmings (£109 for two), beef with all the trimmings (£136 for two), butternut squash with all the trimmings (£55 for one), or simply ‘just the trimmings’ (£95 for two), which we must confess, we rather like the idea of. What’s more, if you’ve got a big family to cater for, you can order your Christmas Dinner for up to six, with prices rising accordingly.

Included in the Christmas At Home boxes are potted mackerel starters for the meat-eaters and potted Lincolnshire Poacher for the veggies, a hefty collection of sides and trimmings, and the restaurant group’s much revered red wine sauce. A whisky and brandy doused Christmas pud completes the meal, with pistachio and salted lemon fudges thrown in for good measure!

Deliveries are on Wednesday 23rd December only, arriving between 8am and 6pm. Alternatively, you can collect from their Burnt Truffle restaurant, in Wirral, on the 23rd, between 2pm and 7pm.

For more information, visit: christmas.elitebistros.com

KINDLING CHRISTMAS AT HOME

New Brighton restaurant Kindling, which celebrates local produce and open fire cooking, has just announced their Christmas At Home boxes. Available for collection (from Brighton’s Lanes) and for local delivery on the 23rd and 24th of December, the menu costs £140 for two (though the restaurant suggests it could easily feed more) and features a good deal of choice.

Particularly eye catching is the seasonal game and walnut terrine for starters, with a variety of condiments – piccalilli, beetroot jam, horseradish…you name it – to choose from. 

There are four (!) meat options to select from for mains, as well as dressed salmon and the headlining act, miso roasted cauliflower with chestnuts and truffle. These guys have a dexterous hand with vegetables, making Kindling the ideal choice for vegetarians in the city who aren’t keen on cooking on the day. Or, simply for anyone up for trying something a bit different this Christmas dinner. After the wild ride of year we’ve all had, rewriting the rulebook sounds like a great idea to us!

With mince pie fudge and a choice of desserts to finish, for a fickle family, this is a great option.

Collection will is on December 23rd and 24th, from 12-5pm on both days. Delivery is available to postcode areas BN1, BN2 and BN3 for an extra fee of £5.

For more information, visit: kindlingrestaurant-athome.giftpro.co.uk

CHRISTMAS DINNER AT HOME WITH TOM KERRIDGE

If you can’t visit the world’s most accoladed pub for a Christmas pint, then why not have the festivities come to you? Tom Kerridge has announced his Christmas At Home delivery box, with classics from the two Michelin-starred Hand & Flowers rubbing shoulders with Christmas favourites for a traditional, totally tasty festive meal at home.

You have a choice of three mains to complement all the trimmings; turkey, beef wellington or venison, with the box arriving on the 22nd or 23rd December. Do check your postcode with the team first; nationwide delivery is available but only to specific areas. Alternatively, you can collect from the Hand and Flowers, Marlow, if you live in the area. Yours for £350, serving a family of 4-6 people.

For more information, visit: tomkerridge.com/christmas-dinner-at-home/

HAWKSMOOR’S FESTIVE BOX

Because not everyone wants a roast turkey for Christmas, right?

The UK’s kings of beef have announced their Festive Box and it’s a cracker (pun intended). At £165 for two, the box contains all you need for one of the best steak nights of your life, with festive flourishes like smoked salmon with cream cheese, champagne and a decadent Wintery dessert (sticky toffee pudding, if you’re asking, which you are) all included.

Of course, the main event is the steak. Here, it’s two 300g fillet steaks, sourced and aged to the usual Hawksmoor highest of standards; a real Christmas treat for beef lovers, make no mistake. Speaking of treats, they’re throwing in lager, Negroni and wine, too! For just shy of £85 a head, this suddenly feels like a steal.

Best of all, the celebrated restaurant group are donating £5 from every box to charities who are helping the hungry this festive season.

Nationwide delivery available; simply order before Monday for delivery that week. Though be warned, these boxes do sell out, so get your order in early if possible!

For more information, visit: shop.thehawksmoor.com/product/the-festive-box/

5 OF THE BEST PLACES TO VISIT IN PORT OF SPAIN, TRINIDAD & TOBAGO

Vicky Clifford Sanghad
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5 OF THE BEST PLACES TO VISIT IN PORT OF SPAIN, TRINIDAD & TOBAGO

If you’re in the process of planning a trip to Trinidad and Tobago, the most southerly Caribbean island (well, dual island) just off Venezuela, first things first; lucky you! It’s a gorgeous place of lush vegetation, golden sands, incredible music, a unique, exciting cuisine and a world famous carnival. You’re going to have a blast. 

Secondly, it’s almost certain that the capital city Port of Spain will be your first port of call. Rather than pass through this city quickly and make for the tropical paradise of Maracas Bay or Blanchisseuse Beach, we’d instead recommend taking some time here; there’s so much to see and do, and the heart and soul of Trini culture to explore. With that in mind and with time on our hands to take it all in, here are 5 of the best places to visit in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago.

QUEEN’S PARK SAVANNAH: IDEAL FOR STREET FOOD

Trinidad and Tobago has a long history of immigration, and this, coupled with the country’s unique geography as a Caribbean state in close proximity to Latin America, means it’s a hugely multicultural place. There is particular influence from people of African and South Indian heritage, as well as a significant Lebanese and Syrian population, who arrived a century ago. All of this adds up to a rich, diverse cuisine.

In Queen’s Park Savannah, Port of Spain’s largest open space and the city’s focal point, the country’s immensely popular annual carnival reaches its nadir. Taking place every February or March and coinciding with Mardi Gras and Rio Carnival, it’s a huge event, full of colour and costume, and is not to be missed. But for the rest of the year, Queen’s Park Savvanah is a vast, beautifully manicured green space, with runners and walkers populating the park. 

What’s more, it hosts the city’s main night market, the Open Air Food Court, from 6pm to 10pm each day. Here, you’ll be able to sample a wide range of Trini snacks and street food staples. First on your list should be the ubiquitous, delicious doubles; an intricately spiced, dangerously sloppy channa (chickpea curry) sandwiched between two bara (fried flatbreads), folded and consumed as tidily as is conceivable. Perhaps don’t wear white, is all we can say. Wash your doubles down with a refreshing, freshly cracked coconut water for the quintessential Trini experience.

If you’re into refreshments of a boozy nature, it’s obligatory that you enjoy some cutters to accompany your beer. These are drinking snacks comprised of spicy finger food which just go so well with something hoppy and iced (that’s how they do things here and trust us, it works). Our favourite cutter is most definitely souse; boiled pig or chicken’s feet which are then pickled in a spicy, limy sauce. Ideal for gnawing, for sure. The country’s fruit is also some of the freshest we’ve tried; finish up with some just sliced mango and luxuriate in some liming around the park; that’s Trini for hanging out.



Doubles – a popular Trinidad street food. Photo by Edmund Gall

THE ROYAL BOTANIC GARDENS: IDEAL FOR SEEING THE COUNTRY’S UNIQUE FLORA AND FAUNA

Port of Spain’s Royal Botanic Gardens is just north of the Savannah, a short stroll, and is definitely worth taking in whilst you’re in this part of Trinidad and Tobago’s capital city. Established in 1818, here you’ll appreciate some of the island’s unique flora and fauna, with the park containing 100 trees indigenous to Trinidad and Tobago.

It’s a beautifully manicured site, and the shade offered by its total of nearly 1000 different trees provides the perfect respite from the unrelenting heat (and perhaps a downpour!) of this part of the world. Christmas here is a fantastic spectacle, with a gorgeous, somewhat opulent display of fairy lights illuminating the park each festive season.

Running adjacent to the gardens is the National Zoo, containing rare white Bengali tigers amongst other animals and attractions; certainly worth a visit while you’re here, we think.

The park is open daily from 6am to 6pm.

ARIAPITA AVENUE: IDEAL FOR LIMING

Yep, we already mentioned the uniquely Trini concept of ‘liming’, but we need to dedicate a whole paragraph to it. This is one of the most popular national pastimes; to walk, talk, and hang out with friends and family in public. What could be better, hey?

Ariapita Avenue is where the locals go to lime; a long strip in the Woodbrook district of Port of Spain, close to Invader’s Bay, which boasts street food shacks, restaurants, bars and clubs by the bucketload. Referred to colloquially as ‘de avenue’, it’s a laid back yet lively affair, and a Saturday evening spent here is a quintessential part of the Trini experience. 

The local Creole food on the strip is particularly excellent, with several popular restaurants slinging jerk chicken, pelau and callaloo to the liming masses. Though there are plenty of roadside joints dishing up the goods, if you’re keen on a sit down meal, Creole restaurant Veni Mange is the toast of the town. Bliss!

INDEPENDENCE SQUARE (BRIAN LARA PROMENADE): IDEAL FOR A GAME OF CHESS WITH THE LOCALS

In the south of the city and running parallel to the sea is Brian Lara Promenade, named after the famous cricketer, which ends in Independence Square (formerly Marine Square). Here, locals come to grab a beer, eat some cutters, play chess or cards, recline on a bench and people watch; a perfect afternoon past time, we think! 

More recently, a permanent art exhibition displaying pieces by local artists has been installed in the square, which is well worth a look. But most of all, people come here to lime, and there’s a lovely laid back pace to proceedings here. There are street food vendors and fresh fruit sellers aplenty lining the promenade and square, so you won’t go hungry or parched.

INTERNATIONAL WATERFRONT CENTRE: IDEAL FOR SEEING THE FUTURE OF TRINIDAD & TOBAGO

Trinidad and Tobago is an affluent country, and recognised as a high income country by the world bank. Though tourism is certainly big business here, the country’s economy is more focused on its vast natural reserves of oil and gas. 

If you’re looking to experience the thriving, thrusting, modern Trinidad and Tobago first hand, then head down to the International Waterfront Centre, which is the focal point of the revitalised downtown urban centre of Port of Spain. It’s also the city’s main access point to the Gulf of Paria and onwards to Venezuela which is just 7 miles away by sea, though this is largely reserved for trade rather than passenger trips. Nonetheless, it’s interesting to experience a different side of Trinidad and Tobago at the Waterfront Centre, and well worth a look if you’re in the south of the city.

If you’re in Port of Spain as part of a cruise, check out our 10 IDEAL ports of call on your next Caribbean cruise, and really make an adventure of it!

6 IDEAL TIPS FOR PLANNING YOUR OWN PHOTOGRAPHY TOUR

Vicky Clifford Sanghad
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6 IDEAL TIPS FOR PLANNING YOUR OWN PHOTOGRAPHY TOUR

‘Pictures or it didn’t happen’. Though such a statement shows just how far we’ve sunk, where life lived through a lens carries more credibility than actual experiences accrued, after the year we’ve all had, there’s still so much to say for documenting your own adventures. There’s even more to say for flicking through old travel snaps with misty-eyed nostalgia and feeling excited about the possibility of holidays once again.

If you’re keen to capture more memories once travel bans are lifted and relative normality returns, then you’re going to have to plan things more carefully than ever. We’re here to help with that; here are 6 IDEAL tips for planning your own photography tour.

FAMILIAR OR FAR FLUNG?

First things first; your destination. Though the scope for unique, scenic or societal shots is probably greater in an unfamiliar location, there are still some incredible snaps to be captured closer to home, on terra firma. Ask yourself what kind of photos you’re intending to take on your tour. Should they be of specific locations, then the question answers itself. 

But if you’re going for something more esoteric or abstract, then perhaps a staycation in the UK will fulfil your needs, allowing you to fully focus on your camera work, rather than on getting used to a new country and its culture. The UK is a wonderful destination for travel photographers and for vacation seekers too. Of course, if you’re in it just for the latter, choose somewhere you’ve been wanting to visit for a while, and let the photos come more naturally.

DEDICATED EQUIPMENT OR DEXTERITY?

Even at beginner’s level, the cost of photography equipment can mount up. But let’s be honest, at beginner’s level, too much kit can impede rather than enhance your shots. Great photography, at any level, is all about capturing the fleeting, once-in-a-lifetime moments, and while you’re fiddling with your infrared LED illuminator and full spectrum flash system, those moments will likely pass you by. So travel light and only carry the really essential equipment with you. This will cut back on the distractions which you probably won’t know how to utilise effectively anyway, and help you move in a dexterous way which won’t disturb the natural beauty around you.

Travelling light is certainly prudent, but it’s also wise to insure what equipment you do elect to bring with you. There is no bigger buzzkill for a photography trip than lost, broken or stolen gear before any moments have been captured. Basic travel insurance will cover cheaper cameras, but if you’ve invested in anything over roughly the £500 mark, then you’re going to need specialist cover. It’s important to let your insurer know of exactly the equipment you’re carrying to get yourself properly protected.

REACH FOR THE SKY

Speaking of equipment, if you’re looking to take things to the next level (quite literally), then have you considered using a drone for your travel photography? Personal, affordable drones have revolutionised the world of travel photography in recent years, allowing for enormous range and scope which was simply unthinkable to the amateur photographer until recently.

Rather than drone on, we’ll point you in the direction of our tips for buying a drone for more on this fascinating subject.

LIGHT IS YOUR BEST FRIEND

Experimenting with the light doesn’t only mean being aware of your camera’s flash and different settings. Nope, it’s a more all encompassing piece of advice; observe the place and the light at different times of the day (and night) to really capture a mood of an unfamiliar, fascinating place succinctly. Warm and bright sunrise, pinky – almost bloody – sunset, a crisp and clear day or a night in full moon; these can completely change the landscape and feel of your photos.

Another term well known to those with even a passing interest in photography – and one which you should utilise during your photography tour – is the golden hour(s). This refers to those two windows of opportunity when most of the greatest shots are taken. These rose tinged 60 minutes just after sunrise and just before sunset, at dusk and dawn basically, are without fail the ones most bathed in that warm kind of glow which both evokes nostalgia and the sense that anything’s possible. 

So, while it might mean setting your alarm clock a little earlier and viewing impossibly beautiful sunsets through your lens rather than your actual eyes, the sacrifice is worth it for the best shots possible. While we’re on the subject, the blue hour (just before sunrise and just after sunset) is also an intriguing time to capture some interesting snaps, but requires a little more skill to pull it off. You got this.

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

Sure, showing off photos of the rasberry red plantain at London’s Ikoyi, your pork belly and ‘scallion’ bao bun at Momofuku Noodle Bar, NYC, or the oozing tortilla at Barcelona’s Cal Pep, has become a little passe. But even in 2020, there’s little which captures place and time more succinctly than a perfectly photographed local dish, restaurant, street food or market scene.

As such, consider basing your photography tour around the food of the country you’re visiting, giving you a frame of reference and structure to each and every day and photo. If you’re looking for inspiration, check out this guide to 10 of Europe’s most Instagrammed dishes.

BE RESPECTFUL, LEAVE NO TRACE

Sure, locals will generally be proud of their home country and welcoming of visitors, but flashing a camera in unfamiliar faces is, in pretty much any culture, considered deeply impolite. In some countries, being photographed, whether by strangers or family, is a complete no-no, so approach all photography of people as the subject with sensitivity and always, always ask before you hit the ‘take’ button. 

Equally as important, when in rural, wild land with your camera, make every effort not to disturb, destroy or disrupt the subjects of your interest. Step carefully, breathe lightly, and leave no trace wherever you tread.

4 OF THE BEST BLOGGING PRACTICES FOR CONTENT PRODUCERS

Vicky Clifford Sanghad
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4 OF THE BEST BLOGGING PRACTICES FOR CONTENT PRODUCERS


There are more than a million bloggers right now, each spinning out unique content perfectly pitched to reach for their target audience. But is producing content alone sufficient for blogging success? Not necessarily, according to marketing mavericks such as Ahrefs, Moz and others. To catch your audience’s attention and truly engage with them, bloggers need to pay attention to the right keywords, blog structure, meta descriptions, headlines, image optimisation and other fine, seemingly innocuous details. Here’s how; these 4 of best blogging practices for content producers.

WHAT ARE KEYWORDS?

Keywords are central to the structure of a blog. These are key phrases or words that attract readers. Search engines rank blog posts according to keywords or phrases, and when a content writer sits down to write a blog post, one of the first things that they should do is find a list of the right words and phrases that attract their customer or reader.

Keywords vary according to the theme of the blog. A blog specialising in home delivery of flowers might use ‘seasonal flowers’ in its posts, for instance, whilst one describing how to barbeque mackerel should mention ‘grill’, ‘bbq’, ‘oily fish’ and so on. Very often, content writers fail to get the right words and phrases that attract traffic. If as a small business owner, you are unable to get your keyword strategy right, then there are specialists, such as Click Intelligence, who can help.

CLICK-WORTHY HEADLINES AND FITTING A NICHE

Even if the content writer has discovered the right words that will attract traffic, they still have another challenge. Unless the reader clicks the blogpost and reads it, how would they know what is on offer? For this, the blogger has to write click-worthy headlines. These headlines should be short and excite the reader, since great headlines can make or break the blog.

Great headlines should contain common, uncommon, powerful or emotive words. This title should encourage readers to share your content. An important part of the blogging strategy is to carve a niche or a space that nobody has occupied. While ‘gardening’ is a broad topic, ‘growing hibiscus flowers’ is indeed a niche topic. Several tools can help you discover niches.

META DESCRIPTIONS

Meta descriptions are short descriptors of the blog post. When a reader posts a query on the web, the search engines show up several web pages to them. Some of those pages are described by a short text no longer than 160 characters. This text helps the reader decide which web page answers their query. Meta descriptions are important for your blog’s success.

According to Yoast, meta descriptions are there to generate ‘click-throughs from search engines’. Readers decide to click on blog posts depending upon what they see in these descriptions. Google says there is no correlation between website ranking and meta descriptions, but you write a good descriptor, your site is more likely to be clicked by a good many readers, and this is how you get readership.

INTERNAL AND EXTERNAL LINK

Linking one blog post to another is considered a good blogging practice by search engines. Doing so lets readers know where and how can they get additional and relevant content in your blog, and sometimes reduces the necessity to describe things better covered on a more relevant page. This gives value to the reader; an invaluable asset in the eyes of Google et al.

While external linking means quoting authority websites and directing traffic to them, raising your blog authority in the process, internal linking also helps drive up organic traffic. And that’s why you’re here, right?

Is your thirst for theory not yet satiated? Might we then point you in the direction of our 5 tips for improving your SEO strategy for more of the same? Enjoy!

5 IDEAL STEPS TO MAKING YOUR HOME FEEL BRAND NEW ON A BUDGET

Editorial Team
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5 IDEAL STEPS TO MAKING YOUR HOME FEEL BRAND NEW ON A BUDGET

As we enter the second week of Lockdown 2.0 with no honest end in sight (you don’t actually believe this thing’s finished on December 2nd, do you?), we don’t mind saying that we’re already sick of the sight of home’s four walls.

Indeed, 2020 has seen our relationship with our domestic spaces change irrevocably and infinitely. Things will never be the same again, it seems, and with the majority of the population housebound for the foreseeable future, and working from home now the norm, Brits are looking for simple, cost effective ways to make their homes feel fresh and clean.

Because if we’re going to be spending this much time in each other’s company, we might as well all make an effort, right? If you’re looking to do just that, then here are 5 IDEAL steps to making your home feel brand new on a budget.

SPRING (OR WINTER) CLEAN

Perhaps it’s called a Spring clean because chilly Winter months rack more clutter than any other time of year. With work and a certain amount of schooling being brought home for lockdown, the domestic space’s propensity for chaos and clutter has only increased.

In some ways, Winter is the worst time of year for bringing mess into the home. Coats slung over the backs of chairs, shoes piled chaotically by the door, scarves haphazardly thrown in just about every direction – these adornments may look charming and festive in Pinterest photos, but in reality, they’re just an added mess (and distraction) that no one needs.

You owe it to yourself and your sanity, then, to invest in some decent storage for your winterwear – coat stands and shoe racks can be found fairly cheaply, and Facebook marketplace pros can sometimes even find items like these free of charge! 

LET THE LIGHT IN

If you live in a climate affected by low-winter light-levels, then you’ll know that the darker months can affect your mood negatively. Letting the light in, and finding smart solutions to maximise the natural light that your home receives, can go a long way to making your place feel fresh and new. And that’s why you’re here, right?

Firstly, make sure that any sources of natural light (ie. windows) are fully exposed, with nothing blocking them. The sun’s rays are such a precious resource at this time of year; don’t waste them with stacked books or a poorly positioned lamp obscuring things. Some interior design experts also recommend hanging a mirror opposite your biggest window to bounce light around the room and give the illusion of more space. We’ve certainly found that helps.

Even your doors can play a major role in letting the light in and making your room look smaller or larger. Dark wood contributes to a traditional, cosy ambiance whilst lighter shades lend a more modern appearance. 

Or, if you want to push things further, then the experts at Oakwood Doors advise ‘’trying to let as much light into your living space as you can often gives the illusion of more space. A lack of light can make even the largest areas appear to be smaller and tighter…external sliding doors allow light to flood into your living space. Without installing new windows or light fittings, purchasing a sliding door is a fantastic way to light up your home’’. 

Without installing new windows or light fittings, purchasing a sliding door is a fantastic way to light up your home, and many retailers now offer sliding door kits that make installation more manageable for the average homeowner.

WALLPAPER OVER THE CRACKS

Sometimes, the most simple solutions are also the most effective. If you’re looking to breathe fresh life into your interiors, then a fresh lick of paint or new wallpaper can totally reinvigorate a room. Suddenly, those walls you’ve been staring at, looking for answers whilst working from home, will feel vibrant and inspiring, hiding any old chipped paintwork or out-of-date styles in the process.

If this sounds like your sort of thing, then rather than waffle on, we’ll redirect you to our tips on 5 stylish wallpapers IDEAL for giving your home a fresh look for more!

UPCYCLE

Speaking of breathing new life into your home, let’s talk about upcycling. Maybe it’s the hipster in us. Is a possible environmental sustainability at its heart? Or perhaps the current economic climate and state of confusion over our country’s collective capital makes it a necessity. But whatever the reason, ‘upcycling’ has taken the design world by storm in recent years.

Upcycling – repurposing old bits from around the house and casting them in new, exciting roles – not only provides an opportunity for homeowners to show off their creativity but is an easy way to spruce up our home on a budget. Got some old pallets in the garden – turn them into a coffee table. Indeed, with a little creativity and ingenuity, you can revamp your homes furnishing with minimal expense.

Soon, you’ll be hearing “Out with the old, in with the upcycled ” when it comes to revamping your interiors. Your heard it here first.

ACCESSORISE

Just as the secret to a great outfit lies in the accessories, so the perfect ‘Insta-ready’ room is all in the finishing touches, too. Ornaments, pictures, house plants – these are just a few great ways to squeeze in a little extra décor and add character to a room. 

Online marketplaces like Etsy are a great place to find unusual adornments for your home that are one-of-a-kind and out of the ordinary and ideal for that visual intrigue you’re seeking. From bookends to cushion covers, wall prints to hanging baskets, these unique additions can introduce a fabulous twist to your tired décor. 

And if those finishing touches are going to take the form of some tastefully chosen art, then do check out our tips on how to choose the best art for your home. Good luck and we’ll see you at yours when lockdown is over?

COMMERCIAL KITCHEN RENTAL IN 2020: THE IDEAL DOS & DON’TS

Editorial Team
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COMMERCIAL KITCHEN RENTAL IN 2020: THE IDEAL DOS & DON’TS

Yep, we understand the enormous implications of ‘in 2020’, but we just couldn’t bear to write ‘in the time of a Global Pandemic’ once again.

This year, there’s no doubt that the UK economy as a whole has suffered, but the restaurant industry has been particularly hard hit. Coronavirus has closed countless restaurants, both temporarily or permanently, and ever shifting Government guidelines – should we stay or should we go, now? – have made things even tougher. 

Indeed, huge national chains and some of our favourite independents alike have had to permanently shut their doors this year, and it’s a tragedy. However, if you’ve visited your local highstreet lately, you may have seen the painters in old or newly closed shop fronts, preparing for a new restaurant opening. Surprising as it may sound, across the country and the wider world, new restaurants are still opening in the midst of the pandemic, in an attempt to avoid financial ruin and keep staff on payroll. 

Whether you’re a restaurant pivoting to takeaway, looking to expand and diversify, or even if you’re opening a new place, then here are the IDEAL dos and don’ts regarding commercial kitchen rental.

COMMERCIAL KITCHEN RENTAL: DOS AND DON’TS 

If you are an independent restaurateur, you’ll usually want to allow yourself anywhere up to six months (and often, longer) to find a new premises, from the initial viewing to having things fully set up. 

DOS 

Pivot to takeaway, for now

Go out for a late night walk during lockdown, and the only people you seem to see out are Deliveroo and other takeaway drivers awaiting collection. Dozens and dozens of them, in fact, and whilst it’s a little unnerving, it’s suggestive of a shift in our eating habits. This was the case even before restaurants had to shut up shop for the month. Back in February (remember those heady days?), it was reported that the UK’s takeaway sector was growing faster than any other in the hospitality industry.

For now, focusing on takeaway might be where the smart money is, since this revenue stream is more immune to the effects of coronavirus and its subsequent restaurant closures.

Create a competition for your tenancy 

While you may love your current location, nothing is stopping you from simultaneously negotiating on several other positions, more so when dealing with a lease renewal. Playing one landlord against another may even help you to create options, bargain on the fine print, and potentially come away with better terms at the end of it. 

Inform each landlord that you have been receiving other exciting proposals. It’s a strategic move designed to make your landlord earn your ongoing tenancy, rather than the other way round. 

Begin the site selection and planning process early 

If your commercial kitchen is already up and running, your lease renewal process should start at least twelve to fifteen months before the current lease runs out. 

By beginning early, you will have enough time to conduct negotiations, complete the paperwork, and look for alternative locations. Doing all of this well in advance flips the power dynamic from seller’s to buyer’s market. Sometimes, food business start-up success is found in manipulating these power dynamics in your favour.

Of course, there’s no guarantee that the negotiations will ultimately work in your favour. Early talks, therefore, make it possible for you to also account for Murphy’s Law. As in, what can go wrong will go wrong.

Consult with other tenants

It’s always advisable to talk to other tenants when you are negotiating a lease renewal. Consult with those in the building who have recently gone through the same process. Your goal here is to establish how the renegotiations with the landlord went and whether the building owner was open to the idea of providing further tenant incentives, e.g., new rents. 

Discuss renewal enticements 

Perhaps without good reason, many commercial kitchen tenants fear or neglect to engage their landlords in negotiations over the contract.

But if your lease is about to expire, you may want to ask yourself (and your landlord) the kind of enticements that your landlord may be willing to give to a new tenant. Think about the inducements that the next person renting that space may get, e.g., tenant allowances and free rent for a few weeks, and then firmly ask for those, too. 

DON’TS

Don’t maintain false optimism 

As a restaurant owner, if you know your business isn’t doing well at the current location but continue to engage in lease renewal negotiations, it might be time to question whether a move might be wise. Though a new location might bring new footfall or simply breathe a new lease of life into operations, it may not solve more underlying issues. Tread carefully.

Don’t broadcast your success 

Broadcasting your kitchen’s success prematurely might lead to your landlord attempting to raise your rent. It’s not uncommon for some landlords and agents to want to take advantage of commercial kitchen owners. They understand that moving the business is an expensive move and that it takes time to set up at a new location; as such, be wary of them playing off that reluctance to move. 

But if push comes to shove, which may happen at some point, companies such as Occupyd offer stopgap solutions and can find a new commercial kitchen space to rent quickly.

Don’t settle for a lease length you deem inappropriate

When setting up a commercial kitchen for the first time, it’s typical for the landlord to offer a lease length of around five, eight, and in some cases, up to ten years.

However, when the time to renew the lease comes around, don’t automatically settle for a lease length of the same duration. Take the time to consider your plans.

Some of the questions to ponder include whether you intend to retire or sell the business to someone else later down the line. Don’t allow yourself to unnecessarily get locked into a lengthy lease if you have ambitions for expansion and growth.

DON’T STOP BELIEVING

Finally a word of encouragement; don’t stop believing! 

If you’re keen for more guidance, check out our tips on 4 IDEAL market research methods for food businesses. And once again, good luck!

5 IDEAL TIPS FOR TAKING CARE OF YOUR EXPOSED BRICK WALL

Editorial Team
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5 IDEAL TIPS FOR TAKING CARE OF YOUR EXPOSED BRICK WALL

Exposed brick interiors have been trending for a while now, popular in hip new restaurant openings, underground bars and inner-city apartments, all keen to channel a particular urban aesthetic in the most simple way possible.

That said, this aesthetic is just as easy to achieve at home. For many older houses, there is a beautiful brick wall sitting behind the drywall, just waiting to be exposed. This look can give your house real character, evocative of a certain timelessness and modernity, all rolled into one. 

The biggest challenge for homeowners who choose an exposed brick interior isn’t in the exposing, per se, but rather, in the taking care of their brick walls. Bricks are sensitive, brittle and porous and each of these characteristics presents their own set of challenges. With that in mind, here are 5 IDEAL tips for taking care of your exposed brick wall.

HANGING OUT

Artwork and other decorative items, tastefully chosen and hung, can truly make a house a home. But when you have an exposed brick wall as your interior design centrepiece, that becomes somewhat challenging to properly pull off. While some may believe that drilling directly into the bricks is the best way to do hang art, this is, quite simply, the wrong approach. The bricks can crack when drilled into and this will cause its own set of problems.

Instead, drill into the mortar and use anchors to hang whatever you need to. Ensure that the drill is set to the lowest speed possible to avoid vibrations that can make the mortar come loose. Alternatively, hiring professional drilling services can mitigate these concerns, as the process – both physically and metaphorically – will be in the hands of an expert.

REPLACING MORTAR

Speaking of which…bricks are held together using mortar and if that mortar deteriorates, it could bring about a whole host of issues including the weakening of that section of the wall. To ensure this doesn’t happen, the mortar should be replaced when it deteriorates.

If you know how to work with mortar and can do this yourself, start by preparing the work area. This includes laying a tarp below the area you’ll be working on. Next, clean the entire wall so you have a better idea of what areas you should work on. There are various ways to clean your brick wall, and these are material specific, so ensure you choose one that applies to the types of bricks you have. Check out Do It Yourself’s useful guide to 4 types of brick cleaning products for more on that.

After that is done, it is time to remove the mortar. This can be done using a chisel. All that remains is to prime the surface, apply new mortar and replace the bricks. If the bricks are too old to be put back where they came from, don’t be shy about replacing them. Be ruthless; this is the structure of your home we’re talking about, after all.

Most houses use standard brick dimensions but it is always a good idea to measure so you know the exact brick size you need. 

In addition to the size, you might also want to consider the colour and style of existing bricks so the new bricks do not look out of place and jarring, visually. In their brick dimensions guide, Armstrong Supplies outline that the standard brick size in the UK can be simplified into a 3:2:1 ratio, with the standard being ‘’215 x 102.5 x 65mm. There is then a 10mm allowance for the mortar joints so the standard size for brickwork is 225 x 112.5 x 75mm’’.

PROTECTION AGAINST DUST AND HUMIDITY

Although bricks are quite sturdy, they are also porous. This presents several problems, two of which are being susceptible to humidity and also, to dust. The former can lead to deterioration of the bricks as well as mould issues. To prevent this from happening, use an acrylic-based paint or sealant to your interior brick wall. 

As for dust, using a microfibre cloth or the brush attachment that comes with your vacuum cleaner will work well. If the walls are too grimy, for example, after moving into a new house, use some water with a mixture of mild dishwashing soap and salt in a 1:1 ratio. Then apply this mixture to the wall and wait for 10 minutes. You can then use a sponge to wipe the wall, sit back and revel in the results.

EFFLORESCENCE

Efflorescence is a white powder that starts to appear on brick walls after several years. Although it does not have a detrimental effect on the integrity of the wall, it is still a nuisance if it gets on your clothes. Keep in mind that although efflorescence often forms on exterior walls, it can also develop on interior brick walls.

The best way of removing efflorescence is to scrub the wall using a brush with hard bristles and a mixture of water and bleach. Horizontal motions work best, but do your best to avoid the mortar as the hard-bristle brush can damage it. 

If the surface has a lot of efflorescence, you can use chemical cleaning agents (acidic agents are best) that are diluted according to the instructions needed. Do not forget to use protective gear, such as gloves, safety goggles and a mask. Also, remember to soak the surface in water prior to cleaning, so the cleaning agent doesn’t soak into the wall, and rinse the surface as you clean so the cleaning agent is not on the wall for longer than is necessary.

PREVENTING WATER DAMAGE

Water damage can be caused by water splashes and rising damp, and exposed brick certainly isn’t immune to this. In areas where a lot of water is used, especially in the kitchen, water can splash onto the brick wall and when it soaks into the mortar, it can cause the foundation of the wall to break down. Fortunately, this issue can be fairly easily solved by using a sealant, as we mentioned earlier. 

When water seeps from below, it causes rising damp. When the water evaporates, it leaves salt crystals that can break down the mortar. It is therefore important to take care of this problem before it becomes a bigger issue. 

WHY YOU SHOULD MAKE SLEEP A PRIORITY & THE IDEAL WAYS TO DO JUST THAT

Editorial Team
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WHY YOU SHOULD MAKE SLEEP A PRIORITY & THE IDEAL WAYS TO DO JUST THAT

This just in; poor sleep leads to loneliness. According to a study from UC Berkeley, folk who are regularly sleep-deprived feel more isolated and are less likely to engage with others, avoiding close interaction in much the same way as those suffering from social anxiety. 

That’s not all. The study further revealed that people who don’t get their fair share of Zzzeds are more socially unattractive to others and suggested that ‘’even well-rested people feel lonely after just a short encounter with a sleep-deprived individual, triggering a viral contagion of isolation’’. 

Fascinating stuff. But aside from the fact that sleeping less might be losing you friends, why else is it so important? To answer that question, here are 5 IDEAL reasons why you should make sleep a priority, and the best ways to do just that.

FIRSTLY, HOW MUCH SLEEP DO YOU REALLY NEED?

Researchers are still figuring out exactly what happens in our bodies and brains while we catch those also important zeds. What is clear is that sleep is the key to locking in memories and trimming unnecessary details accumulated from the day that can clutter your thinking and cause you to feel lethargic.

Yep, sleep is a powerful thing; when you’re sleeping, your brain gets rid of information you no longer need – freeing up brainpower for the details and memories that matter. Incredible.

It’s not only in the mind. When you sleep, you give your body a chance to rejuvenate itself, too. On the flip side, regularly skipping sleep can:  

– Negatively impact your immune system: sleep deprivation decreases your body’s ability to fight infection.

– Alter the ‘hunger hormone’, ghrelin, and increase the risk of obesity.

– Make you irritable and stressed, impacting on your relationships and overall outlook on life.

– Interfere with productivity and memory (interestingly, too much sleep can also affect your memory negatively)

– Increase the risk of medical problems such as heart disease or Type 2 diabetes.

To avoid these risks, most healthy adults should aim to sleep 7 to 9 hours a night, with babies, children and teens requiring even more. That said, these are only rough guidelines and several factors are at play which determine exactly how much sleep you should be getting. 

Should you find that your relationships with your partner, family, friends and colleagues are suffering because you’re restless and sleep deprived, then here’s how to take control of your sleep hygiene.

HOW TO MAKE SLEEP A PRIORITY

Need to fit more sleep into your life? It’s not actually as hard as you might think. Here’s a few simple hacks that you can try tonight and onwards into the future:

– Start small: Consider going to bed just 10 to 15 minutes earlier at first. In cases where you nap during the day (hey, it works for some), push your bedtime back another 15 minutes.

– Make your bedroom environment more conducive to sleep: ensure the mattress you’re using is comfortable enough for your sleeping position. If you’re a side sleeper, consider investing in the best mattress for side sleepers. Should you suffer from back pain, seek a mattress which ranges between 6.5 to 7.5 for firmness.

– Limit naps: To make sure you get both quantity and quality sleep, reduce daytime naps to a maximum of 20 minutes.

– Reduce caffeine intake: If you’re an avid coffee drinker and your sleep isn’t getting any better, try to avoid caffeine anytime after midday so you can feel sleepy when bedtimes roll around.

– Make it a habit: Work on a bedtime routine and try to go to sleep and wake up at the same time daily. This can work wonders for getting your brain into a routine where it knows when to start releasing that lovely sleep hormone melatonin at just the right time

THE BOTTOM LINE

Getting a good night’s sleep has been proved to enhance our mood, social engagement, and cognitive function. Without it, as the study by the University of Berkeley suggested, we cannot nurture a thriving social life, and our mental as well as our physical health may well suffer. Do everything you can to sleep well, soundly and deeply, and you’ll live a fruitful life when you’re awake, too!

5 TIPS FOR EXERCISING OUTDOORS THIS WINTER

Vicky Clifford Sanghad
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5 TIPS FOR EXERCISING OUTDOORS THIS WINTER

Ideal for those keen to keep fit in fresh air.

We’re set for a Winter largely spent indoors, if official predictions and projections are anything to go by. Seeing as gyms and fitness centres were some of the last businesses to reopen at the end of July following the first lockdown in Spring, common sense suggests that, since they are currently shut again until the end of November, we might be waiting a while to enter one again. 

All is not lost for fitness fanatics. Exercise outdoors is one of the few reasons to actually venture outside currently, and that fresh hit of crisp, cold air can do wonders for the soul, don’t you think? With that in mind and to make things as comfortable as possible, here are 5 tips for exercising outdoors this winter, IDEAL for those keen to keep fit in fresh air. 

GO ON A WINTER WALK,  HIKE OR BIKERIDE 

Fortunately, for the time being, Government guidelines permit you to drive somewhere for the purposes of exercise. Rallying the troops (from your household, of course) or going at it alone for a Winter hike gives you the chance to take in some local scenery, spend quality time with your family, burn off some lockdown calories and have an exciting day that costs next to nothing,

Living in the UK, we’re lucky enough to have an abundance of beautiful rural locations, charming towns and coastal paths that are all worth exploring. That said, we all know the weather can be inclement, to put it mildly. Best be prepared, then, with a thermal mug, hand warmers, and more… 

BE PREPARED FOR LOW TEMPERATURES 

Scandinavians say that there’s no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothing. And who should we listen to if not the Scandinavians when it comes to cold weather advice? 

Rest assured that the cold weather shouldn’t get in the way of your usual outdoor exercise routine. The only rule is to make sure you’re prepared for low temperatures; after all, you’re looking to keep fit, not get sick. 

To keep warm in cold weather, follow these two rules:

Use appropriate winter attire 

Focus mostly on protecting your extremities, i.e., those parts of your body that stick out. A hat, gloves, and warm socks are essential to protect your sensitive body parts. However, if you still get cold while outside, there are many other accessories that will further improve your comfort, for instance, professional thermal clothing. Water-resistant/waterproof gym wear is also a good idea when exercising outside in Winter.

It rains a lot in winter, so if you’re running through soft muddy trails you’ll have to get the right pair of running shoes. Trail shoes are the best shoes for running on uneven terrain as they have a deep tread, good grip and offer ankle support. If you want to improve them even more use some specialized shoe insoles. Those can be found online in shops like Protalus, and the best thing is they have a guide that helps you pick out the most suitable ones for you.

Wear layers 

Typically, it’s recommended that you layer up to keep the heat close to your body; the more layers, the bigger chance you will stay warm for longer. However, make sure never to put cotton fabric as your first layer; wetness created by sweat takes the warmth out of the body and can cause chaffing. Thus, use a material that you won’t sweat through for the base; natural fibres like 100% cotton, or even hemp, are best.

CONSIDER A WINTER SPORT

When lockdown lifts, consider getting into a socially distanced or solo Winter sport to bring some intrigue and excitement to what can sometimes feel like a tired routine. Cross country on frosty ground, ice fishing, or ice skating are just a few ideas, or if you live close to snowy climes (or an airport!) then why not hit the slopes and give skiing or snowboarding a go?

EQUIP YOURSELF IN THE RIGHT MINDSET

It’s easy to fall into the trap of not doing anything when cold and rainy outside, committing yourself to the sofa and hibernating until Spring. Indeed, when it’s grey, gloomy and the days are short, it can be hard to motivate yourself to get up and exercise.

Remember, it’s natural – human, even – to feel this way; the reduction in hours of sunlight can hamper our motivation. The National Institute of Mental Health (via Bustle) reported that ‘’sunlight affects your internal clock, or your circadian rhythm…which can change the serotonin levels in your brain’. 

‘Changes in your serotonin levels can result in all kinds of symptoms…some of which include low energy, losing interest in activities you used to enjoy, feeling sluggish, and feeling the urge to hibernate. So getting less sunlight can actually make you feel tired and lazy’’.

Fortunately, there are tools available to you which can help you tackle this tendency towards Winter low mood and its effects on motivation. Check out our tips on how to beat the Winter blues for more!

EXERCISE INDOORS

If the weather really is appalling – and let’s face it, much of the British Winter tends towards this term – then there’s no shame in leaving the running shoes on the rack and instead exercising indoors. 

Doing so needn’t cost you a fortune in new equipment; there are hundreds of exercise routines available on YouTube which don’t require any ‘stuff’, just your motivated self and a bit of floor space. Or, simply climbing and descending the stairs repeatedly can help you work up a sweat. 

Don’t use the cold weather outside as an excuse not to exercise at all. Anything that gets the heart pumping indoors is better than wallowing around in inactivity and sorrow. 

THE BOTTOM LINE

It’s easy to be put off by the blustering winds and biting cold, but getting out there is all in the preparation and attitude. Wrap up warmly and wear decent footwear, a hat and gloves, those extra layers we mentioned…once you’ve made the effort, you might even find you enjoy it! And remember, outdoor exercise increases exposure to daylight and Vitamin D, which is much needed, now more than ever. Good luck and we’ll see you for a few laps of the park tomorrow.

If you’re looking for more motivation, check out our article on 5 IDEAL ways to help you become a morning exerciser!

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