‘’Stress’’… Even saying the word out loud seems to goad the adrenaline and cortisol in our bodies. Perhaps it’s the hissing final sound, reminiscent of a kettle that’s about the explode. Maybe it’s the harshness of the close-mid front unrounded vowel, otherwise known as the ‘e’. Or, is it stress by association?
Regardless of the reason, it’s a troubling truth that Brits are stressed. Indeed, back in 2018, it was reported that three in four of us felt overwhelmed by stress, and considering what’s happened in the ensuing years, we can only imagine that ratio is even higher now.
Finding peace of mind in uncertain times involves tried and tested methods like exercising regularly and securing your future alongside innovative solutions to stress, the latter of which we’ll explore today.
With that in mind, here are 9 surprising ways to destress and ease tension in uncertain times.
Take A Cold Shower
The benefits of cold water swimming have been documented in the news on a near daily basis recently. But did you know that you can enjoy comparable benefits without having to leave the house? That’s because taking a cold water shower may offer similar perks in the wellbeing department.
Indeed, one 2008 study found that cold hydrotherapy could lower your heart rate by 15%. As many sufferers of stress will know, an increased heart rate is a common symptom.
Perhaps even more interesting was research from the Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, which reported that three minute cold showers once or twice a day might be enough to help ease the symptoms of low mood.
Of course, if you’re keen to push things further, cold plunges have also been gaining serious traction in recent years. Many athletes and wellness enthusiasts are installing dedicated cold plunge tubs in their homes, seeking deeper immersion and more controlled temperatures than a standard shower can provide.
The best water chiller for a cold plunge boasts several interesting features, including precise temperature control systems that can maintain water at a consistent 39-55°F (4-13°C), powerful filtration to keep the water clean and safe, and energy-efficient operation. Some advanced models even offer smartphone connectivity, allowing users to pre-cool their plunge and monitor water quality remotely.
In an age where our lives are intertwined with technology, the concept of ‘digital gardening’ might come as a surprise. This doesn’t involve tending to virtual plants, but rather curating and organising your digital space in a way that promotes mental clarity and relaxation.
Just as you would pull weeds and plant flowers in a garden, digital gardening involves decluttering your online presence, pruning unnecessary files, organising your digital photos, and even ‘planting’ new ideas in the form of learning new digital skills. This mindful approach to our digital lives can significantly reduce stress by creating a sense of order and accomplishment.
Explore Aromachology
While aromatherapy is well-known, aromachology is the lesser-known science of how smells impact our emotions and behaviours. Surprisingly, certain scents can do more than just please the nose; they can actually alter stress levels. For instance, research has shown that the scent of black tea may help reduce stress levels, and the smell of green apple could even help alleviate migraine pain. Incorporating aromachology into your daily routine by using scented candles, diffusers, or even perfumes can provide a subtle yet effective way to manage stress.
Try ‘Laughter Yoga’
Laughter yoga combines the deep breathing exercises of yoga with laughter exercises, which can lead to genuine laughter. It’s based on the premise that voluntary laughter provides the same physiological and psychological benefits as spontaneous laughter.
Surprisingly, laughter yoga has been shown to reduce stress hormone levels. It’s a social, fun, and surprising way to destress that can be done in groups or even alone. The idea of laughing without humour might seem odd at first, but the body can’t differentiate between real and fake laughter, so the benefits are the same.
Chew Gum
Fresh from the pocket (or should that be ‘packet’?) of Big Chewing Gum comes research suggesting that chewing the stuff can help manage stress and anxiety. Indeed, in a study organised by the Wrigley Science Institute regarding the effects of gum chewing on mood and cortisol levels during psychological stress, it was found that ‘’Gum chewers showed a reduction in anxiety as compared to non-gum chewers by nearly 17 percent’’.
But that’s not all; the study also found that levels of salivary cortisol (a stress marker) were lower in gum chewers. Who knew?
The reason this might work is that chewing gum gives your mouth something to do; when you chew gum, it engages the muscles that control your jaw. Of course, chewing gum isn’t great for the planet, so ideally you should be opting for a biodegradable chewing gum like True Gum.
The Power Of Planning
As UKAT, a private mental health clinic in London, tell us, proper planning is a potent stress reliever, akin to an anchor in the tumultuous sea of life. It’s about more than just health insurance, which, while providing peace of mind beyond the NHS’s safety net, is only one facet of a comprehensive strategy for future security.
Effective planning encompasses financial foresight, such as savings and retirement plans, and extends to daily life management, like organising schedules and meal prepping. It’s the clarity of knowing your next steps, reducing the need to live reactively, which can be a significant source of stress.
In short, planning grants a sense of control amidst uncertainty, smoothing out life’s wrinkles before they become stressors. It’s a simple truth: a well-planned life is a calmer one.
Practice Deprocrastination
Procrastination is a normal part of life, and we all do it from time to time. But when we do procrastinate too often, our priorities become confused, and this can lead to stress. And here’s the rub; when you’re stressed, you’re more likely to procrastinate, which creates a vicious circle.
Linked inextricably to procrastinating, it could well be posited that multitasking is one of the chief causes of stress in daily life. Whether that’s purely anecdotal remains another matter…
Anyway, do you live yours in such a rush that you’re using three screens simultaneously but aren’t fully present on any of them? Are you guilty of brushing your teeth whilst taking a shower and having a shave? Yep, you’ve brushed toothpaste all over your face and shaved all the enamel off your gnashers…
Focus on one thing at a time, and feel that stress wash away. A way to embrace being in the present is by completing every single daily task with care and respect for the process. A major aspect of the much-lauded Japanese productivity-focusedphilosophy of Kaizen is that by completing each and every daily task with rigour and to your full potential, you will incrementally – even unknowingly – become the best (and least stressed) version of yourself.
Via Canva
Smile Like You Mean It
It might sound silly – hey, it might even feel silly – but standing in front of the mirror and practicing your full range of smiles is a great way to destress. In fact, studies have shown that smiling regularly – even if it’s forced or fake – releases endorphins, natural painkillers and serotonin, elevating mood and reducing physical and emotional pain. All of which leads to a less stressed-out version of yourself, both outwardly but, most importantly, inwardly too.
*This article is not intended to replace medical advice, diagnosis or treatment given by a qualified mental health professional. Instead, this article only provides information, not advice. For any medical enquiries, always consult your GP first*
Nestled in the verdant folds of the Tramuntana mountain range, the quaint village of Valldemossa is one of Mallorca’s most enchanting secrets. Far from the bustling beaches and the pulsating nightlife of the island’s coastal resorts, Valldemossa offers a tranquil retreat into a world where time seems to move at a gentler pace.
The Historical Tapestry Of Valldemossa
Valldemossa’s cobbled streets and rustic stone houses are steeped in history. The village’s most famous landmark is the Royal Carthusian Monastery, or La Cartuja, which dates back to the 14th century.
Originally a royal residence, it became a monastery in the 15th century and later housed the composer Frédéric Chopin and the writer George Sand during the winter of 1838-1839. Their stay, although fraught with illness and discomfort, resulted in some of Chopin’s most profound compositions and Sand’s evocative book A Winter in Mallorca.
As you wander through the monastery’s rooms, you can still feel the creative energy that once permeated these walls. The ancient piano Chopin used, his manuscripts, and Sand’s mementos are poignant reminders of their time spent in this secluded paradise.
The Natural Splendour Of Valldemossa
Valldemossa is not just a feast for the history buffs; it’s a haven for nature lovers too. The village is surrounded by lush, green landscapes that beckon hikers, cyclists, and outdoor enthusiasts. The paths winding through the Tramuntana mountains offer breathtaking views and connect to other picturesque villages like Deià and Sóller, making Valldemossa an ideal starting point for exploring the rural beauty of Mallorca.
One cannot talk about Valldemossa without mentioning the Miramar Monastery, founded by the mystic and philosopher Ramon Llull. The gardens here offer some of the most spectacular vistas of the Mediterranean Sea, framed by the dramatic backdrop of the mountains.
For a unique perspective of the village and surrounding area, take a hike on one of the many trails. The Archduke’s Trail, a path carved out by Archduke Ludwig Salvator of Austria in the late 19th century, is a highlight for any hiking enthusiast visiting Valldemossa. This trail offers an invigorating trek that typically takes around three to four hours to complete, depending on one’s pace and frequency of stops to admire the stunning views, of course. The route is of moderate difficulty, with some steep sections that reward the hiker with panoramic vistas of the coastline and the valley below. It’s advisable to start this hike early in the morning to avoid the midday sun and to ensure ample time to return before dusk.
For those seeking a less travelled path, the Camí de s’Arxiduc, as it’s known locally, also leads to several less frequented trails that branch off into the Tramuntana range. One such trail is the path to Puig de Caragolí, a summit that offers a more challenging climb but promises even more spectacular views of the surrounding sea and mountains. This hike can take an additional two hours or so to complete from the main Archduke’s Trail, so it’s important to be well-prepared with adequate water, snacks, and good hiking footwear.
Another rewarding hike near Valldemossa is the route to the hermitage of Ermita de la Santísima Trinidad. This tranquil spot is perched on a hilltop and provides a serene space for reflection amidst the natural beauty of the area. The hike to the hermitage is less strenuous than the Archduke’s Trail and takes approximately an hour and a half to reach from the centre of Valldemossa. The path is well-marked and meanders through the lush countryside, offering glimpses of the village from a distance and a quiet escape from the more frequented tourist spots.
The Culinary Delights Of Valldemossa
Mallorcan cuisine is a delightful blend of Spanish, Mediterranean, and Arabic influences, and Valldemossa’s local eateries do not disappoint. Be sure to try coca de patata, a soft, sweet bread roll that is a speciality of the village. Pair it with a cup of thick hot chocolate for a truly indulgent experience.
For a more substantial meal, many restaurants serve tumbet, a delicious vegetarian dish made from layers of fried aubergines, potatoes, red peppers, and topped with a rich tomato sauce. And let’s not forget the fresh sobrasada, a local spreadable sausage that is a staple of the Mallorcan diet. Try all those dishes, and more, at…
Restaurants & Cafés
QuitaPenas Valldemossa: For a taste of authentic Mallorcan cuisine, head to QuitaPenas. This cosy spot is known for its friendly service and traditional dishes. Don’t miss out on their pa amb oli, a simple yet delicious local staple of bread with olive oil, tomato, and various toppings.
Es Roquissar: Located in the old Carthusian monastery, this restaurant offers a menu that combines traditional Mallorcan recipes with modern culinary techniques. The setting is historic, and the views from the terrace are sublime.
Ca’n Molinas: For the best coca de patata, visit this café in the main square with over a hundred years of history. It’s a favourite among locals for a mid-morning treat or an afternoon pick-me-up.
Check out the local market, too. Held on Sundays, here you can buy fresh produce, artisanal goods, and souvenirs. It’s a great place to mingle with residents, support local businesses and eat some truly delicious food.
The Artistic Pulse Of Valldemossa
Valldemossa’s allure has long attracted artists and writers, drawn by its serene atmosphere and natural beauty. Today, art galleries and artisan shops line the streets, showcasing the work of local and international artists.
The village celebrates its artistic heritage with festivals and concerts throughout the year, most notably the Artdemossa Fair, which transforms the streets into an open-air gallery of art, music, and performance. This one usually takes place sometime in the second half of July.
Also of obvious note, if you’re visiting in August, you’re in for a treat. The annual Chopin Festival is held in the cloisters of the monastery and features world-class musicians. It’s a celebration of the composer’s work and his time spent in Valldemossa.
When Is The Best Time Of Year To Visit Valldemossa?
To avoid the tour groups that often arrive midday, plan to visit Valldemossa early in the morning. You’ll have the opportunity to experience the village’s peaceful ambiance and take unobstructed photos of the beautiful streets and architecture.
To truly soak in the atmosphere, consider staying in one of the village’s boutique hotels or rustic accommodations. Nightfall in Valldemossa reveals a quiet, starlit charm that day-trippers miss.
Whenever you do choose to visit, please do respect the tranquillity that defines Valldemossa. This is not a place for raucous nightlife; it’s a destination where one can reconnect with nature, soak in the culture, and rejuvenate the spirit.
Getting There
By Car: Renting a car is the most convenient way to reach Valldemossa, giving you the freedom to explore at your own pace. The drive from Palma takes about 20 minutes, and there’s a public car park on the edge of the village.
By Public Transport: The bus service from Palma (Line 210) is a scenic and cost-effective option. The journey takes around 30 minutes, and the buses run regularly throughout the day.
By Yacht Charter: A more unique way to approach Valldemossa is by sea. Several yacht rental companies in Mallorca offer a sailing trip around the island, starting in Palma and taking in Mallorca’s gorgeous coastline before pitching up at the Port of Sóller, which is the closest harbour to Valldemossa. Once on dry land, it’s a short drive.
The Bottom Line
Valldemossa is arguably the jewel in Mallorca’s every sparkling crown, a place where the island’s heart beats strongest. It’s a village that captures the imagination and soothes the soul, a true hidden gem that promises a memorable escape from the ordinary (not saying the rest of Mallorca is ordinary or needs escaping from, of course). Whether you’re a history enthusiast, a nature lover, an epicurean, or an art aficionado, Valldemossa has something to enchant you.
The big BCN, Barcelona, with its sun-drenched, palm-tree dappled boulevards and vibrant street life, has long sung something of a siren call to Brits seeking the continental lifestyle without sacrificing a certain urban excitement. Yet, the dream of living in this Mediterranean metropolis need not be dampened by fears of exorbitant, increasing living costs.
For those looking to make the move without breaking the bank, here’s a guide to the most affordable neighbourhoods in the Catalonian capital, affectionately known, not as Barça, but as ‘Barna’. You’re a local now, after all…
El Raval: The Cultural Tapestry
El Raval, once known for its edgy reputation, has blossomed into a cultural tapestry, rich with diversity and artistic flair. Nestled in the heart of the city, this neighbourhood is a stone’s throw away from the famous Las Ramblas but offers a distinctly different vibe. It’s a melting pot of cultures, cuisines, and characters, making it one of the most vibrant areas in Barcelona.
Ideal for the eclectic and eccentric: Those who thrive in a lively and eclectic environment. El Raval is perfect for urban explorers keen to immerse themselves in a diverse cultural scene. It’s home to numerous art galleries, vintage shops, and the contemporary art museum MACBA.
Cost of Renting: € to €€ El Raval’s rental market is quite varied. While monthly rentals in Barcelona average around €2000 to €2500 for a two bedroom apartment in the city centre, it’s possible to find excellent deals – €1000 a month isn’t unheard of – for one bedroom places in El Raval, especially in the less touristy parts of the neighbourhood.
Local’s Tip:Visit the Boqueria Market, but venture beyond the main thoroughfare to find where locals shop for the freshest produce and authentic culinary ingredients. Also, explore the side streets for hidden cafes and unique boutiques that capture the true spirit of El Raval.
Gràcia: The Bohemian Village
Once an independent town, Gràcia has retained its village-like charm and is now one of the most bohemian and multicultural areas in Barcelona. It’s a maze of narrow streets and plazas that are bustling with life, particularly in the famous Plaça del Sol and Plaça de la Vila de Gràcia. Gràcia is also the site of the annual Festa Major de Gràcia, where the streets are adorned with elaborate decorations made by the residents.
Ideal for families: Gràcia is ideal for those who love a strong sense of community and a bohemian lifestyle. It’s also a great place for families, with many parks and playgrounds, as well as a variety of international schools.
Cost of renting here: €€ – €€€ Monthly rentals in Gràcia can be moderately expensive, but it varies. Some parts of the neighbourhood offer more affordable options, especially if you’re willing to live in a smaller flat.
Local’s Tip: Don’t miss the opportunity to visit the hidden gem of Plaça del Diamant. This quaint square is often overlooked by tourists and is a perfect spot for a quiet afternoon away from the bustle.
Hospitalet de Llobregat: The Convenient Suburb
Hospitalet de Llobregat, often simply known as L’Hospitalet, is one of the most densely populated cities in Spain and is located directly southwest of Barcelona. It’s a bustling suburb that has seen significant development and modernisation in recent years.
With a mix of residential and industrial areas, L’Hospitalet is a practical choice for those working in Barcelona or its surroundings. The area is also known for its cultural diversity and has a variety of local amenities, including shopping centres, parks, and a growing art scene.
Ideal for easy access to the heart of Barcelona while enjoying lower living costs: L’Hospitalet’s proximity to Barcelona is a major draw, with excellent public transport links, including the metro, buses, and the Ferrocarrils de la Generalitat de Catalunya (FGC) train lines. This connectivity makes it an ideal location for those who want easy access to the heart of Barcelona while enjoying lower living costs. The area is also home to several parks and green spaces, offering residents a breath of fresh air amidst the urban environment.
Cost of renting here: € – €€ L’Hospitalet offers some of the most affordable housing options in the Barcelona metropolitan area, with average monthly rentals much lower than in the city centre. A one bedroom apartment could be as little as €850. The cost of living is lower here too, making it a popular choice for students, young professionals, and families looking for value without straying too far from the city centre.
Local’s Tip: Explore the local markets, such as Mercat de la Florida, for fresh produce and a taste of local life. These markets are often less crowded than those in central Barcelona and provide a more authentic shopping experience.
Barceloneta: The Beachfront Haven
Barceloneta is the quintessential beach neighbourhood of Barcelona. Originally a fishing quarter, it has a unique charm with its narrow streets and seaside promenade. The area is known for its seafood restaurants and lively bars, as well as its sandy beach, which is a hotspot during the summer months.
Ideal for the laid back beach lifestyle: Barceloneta is ideal for those who can’t get enough of the sea and sand. It’s also popular among younger expats and those looking for a more casual and laid-back lifestyle.
Cost of renting here: €€ – €€€ The cost of living in Barceloneta can vary. Apartments with sea views come with a higher price tag, while those further from the beach can be more affordable. For a two bedroom apartment close to the beach, monthly rentals can approach €2,900 a month.
Local’s Tip: For the freshest seafood, skip the tourist-trap restaurants on the main strip and head to the smaller eateries where the locals dine, often tucked away on the side streets. La Cova Fumada is a favourite of ours.
Poblenou: The Industrial Chic District
Poblenou is an area that has undergone significant transformation from its industrial roots to become a hub of innovation and design. It’s characterised by its loft apartments, art studios, and tech start-ups. The neighbourhood also features Rambla del Poblenou, a lively boulevard with a variety of restaurants and cafes.
Ideal for creatives and entrepreneurs: Poblenou is perfect for creatives, entrepreneurs, and those who enjoy a modern, industrial-chic environment. It’s also close to some of Barcelona’s newer beaches, offering a perfect blend of city and seaside living.
Cost of renting here: €€ – €€€ Poblenou offers a range of rental prices, with newer developments and lofts being pricier. However, there are still deals to be found in this up-and-coming area.
Local’s Tip: Check out the Rambla de Poblenou on a Thursday evening when some bars offer a pintxo and a drink at a special price, a tradition known as ‘Pintxo Pote’ in these parts.
Sant Antoni: The Up-and-Coming Cultural Hub
Sant Antoni is a neighbourhood that has been on the rise in recent years, blending the old with the new. It’s part of the Eixample district but has a distinct personality of its own. The area is known for its market, Mercat de Sant Antoni, which is a focal point for the community and a symbol of the neighbourhood’s revival. The streets here are lined with a mix of traditional vermuterias and trendy cafes, giving it a unique vibe that’s both historic and hip.
Ideal for a blend of tradition and dynamism: Sant Antoni strikes a balance between the traditional Barcelona lifestyle and the dynamic energy of a neighbourhood in transformation. It’s an ideal spot for those who want to experience the authentic side of the city while enjoying the benefits of a vibrant, up-and-coming area. With its more reasonable living costs and local secrets, Sant Antoni is a smart choice for Brits looking to make their home in Barcelona.
Cost of renting here: €€ Sant Antoni offers more affordable living options compared to its Eixample counterparts. It’s a great choice for those who want to be close to the city centre without the hefty price tag.
Local’s Tip: Every Sunday, the area around Mercat de Sant Antoni transforms into a haven for book lovers and collectors, with a market dedicated to second-hand books, comics, and stamps. It’s a perfect spot to find rare editions and unique finds.
Badalona: The Coastal Gem Outside Barcelona
Badalona, located just northeast of Barcelona, offers a serene escape from the hustle and bustle of the city while remaining within easy commuting distance. This coastal town boasts a long stretch of beach, a charming historic centre, and a more relaxed pace of life. It’s a place where you can enjoy the Mediterranean lifestyle with the convenience of Barcelona just a short train ride away.
Ideal for commuters: Badalona’s appeal lies in its combination of beach town charm and metropolitan accessibility. With its own cultural identity, historical sites, and community feel, it’s a great choice for those who want to enjoy the best of both worlds. The town is well-connected to Barcelona by the metro (L2) and train (R1), making it a convenient and attractive option for commuters. Whether you’re looking for a family-friendly environment or a seaside retreat, Badalona is a compelling choice for Brits moving to the Barcelona area.
Cost of renting here: € – €€ Badalona is significantly more affordable than many areas of Barcelona. It’s an excellent option for those seeking a budget-friendly alternative, with a variety of housing options from beachfront properties to quieter residential streets all clocking in at below the national average for monthly rentals.
Local’s Tip: Visit the Anís del Mono factory, the historic distillery where the famous aniseed-flavoured liquor is made. They offer guided tours that end with a tasting, providing a unique glimpse into the town’s industrial heritage.
Moving To Barcelona
Remember to sort out the practicalities too, such as securing a NIE (Número de Identificación de Extranjero), opening a local bank account, and understanding the cost of living. It’s also wise to brush up on your Spanish and Catalan, as being able to communicate with locals will greatly enhance your experience.
Documentation is a crucial aspect of relocating to Barcelona. To ensure a smooth transition, expats must take care of essential paperwork, including obtaining a residence and self-employment permit, opening a bank account, and securing health insurance coverage. Barcelona is a city with so much to offer, and one that welcomes all with open arms, and for Brits looking for a change of scenery, it offers a lifestyle that’s hard to beat. Choose your neighbourhood wisely, and you’ll soon be calling this Mediterranean marvel your home. ¡Bienvenidos a Barna!
Birmingham, the beating heart of the West Midlands, is not just a bustling city known for its industrial heritage and vibrant cultural and culinary scene. It’s also a treasure trove of family-friendly activities and attractions. Whether you’re local to the area or visiting from further afield, there’s no shortage of exciting days out to be had with the kids.
From interactive museums to wildlife encounters and outdoor adventures, Birmingham and its surroundings offer a plethora of experiences that will keep children of all ages entertained. With that in mind, here are some of the Second City’s best options for a memorable family day out.
Thinktank, Birmingham Science Museum
For a day that combines fun with education, Thinktank is an award-winning science museum that offers an extraordinary, interactive journey through the world of science and technology. The museum is home to over 200 hands-on displays on topics ranging from steam engines to space exploration. The Kids’ City area is perfect for younger children, allowing them to explore a mini city where they can learn through play. Don’t miss the Science Garden, an outdoor discovery space with exhibits that teach the principles of mechanics and engineering.
Sarehole Mill
For a slice of history and a touch of Tolkien magic, Sarehole Mill is a delightful day out for families. This historic watermill, nestled in the picturesque Shire Country Park, is said to have been an inspiration for J.R.R. Tolkien’s Middle-earth. The mill itself is one of only two surviving working watermills in Birmingham and offers a fascinating insight into the life and industry of the 18th and 19th centuries.
Children can learn about the milling process, from grain to flour, and the importance of mills in the history of food production. The museum also hosts a variety of craft workshops and events throughout the year, making it a dynamic place to visit. After exploring the mill, take a stroll through the surrounding parkland, which features beautiful woodlands, meadows, and the River Cole. The park’s natural beauty provides a serene backdrop for a family picnic and a chance for children to play and explore in a setting that feels like a page out of a storybook.
Please be aware that Sarehole Mill is currently closed for renovation, with a view to opening in early summer.
Drayton Manor Theme Park
For families seeking thrills and spills, Drayton Manor Theme Park offers a high-octane day out with a variety of rides and attractions to suit all ages. Located just a half hour drive outside Birmingham, this theme park is home to some of the biggest, wettest, and scariest rides around. For the little ones, Thomas Land is a dream come true, bringing to life the beloved ‘Thomas & Friends’ series with themed rides, a play area, and a chance to meet Thomas the Tank Engine himself.
Adrenaline junkies can enjoy roller coasters like Shockwave and Air Race, while those looking for a more relaxed experience can take a leisurely boat trip around the park’s lake or visit the 15-acre zoo, which houses over 100 animals from all over the world. Drayton Manor also offers a range of dining options and picnic areas, so you can refuel and get back to the fun.
The park is designed with families in mind, offering baby changing facilities, lockers, and a range of services to ensure a comfortable and stress-free day out. With seasonal events, such as their magical Christmas celebration and spooky Halloween festivities, Drayton Manor Theme Park is a year-round destination for family entertainment.
Library of Birmingham
Don’t overlook the Library of Birmingham, a modern architectural marvel and a hub of knowledge and culture in the city centre. This isn’t just any library; it’s one of the most visually striking landmarks in Birmingham, with its futuristic design and shimmering façade. Inside, it’s a paradise for young readers and families, offering a vast collection of books, including children’s literature that can ignite the imaginations of your little ones.
The library also hosts regular family-friendly events, storytelling sessions, and interactive workshops that can engage children in the joys of reading and learning. The dedicated children’s area is designed to be welcoming and stimulating, ensuring that even the youngest visitors can find a cozy corner to delve into stories. Moreover, the Library of Birmingham boasts impressive viewing platforms on the upper floors, providing panoramic views of the city – a perfect way to show the kids the city from a different perspective.
With its free admission, the Library of Birmingham is an excellent indoor option for families looking to combine education with entertainment, all within the heart of the city. Whether it’s to discover a new favorite book, participate in an educational event, or simply enjoy the view, the Library of Birmingham is a must-visit destination for families exploring the city’s cultural offerings.
The Park VR Experience
Embark on a futuristic family adventure at The Park VR Birmingham, in the city’s Brindleyplace (just seconds from the SEA LIFE Centre, by the way), where virtual reality brings an array of immersive worlds to life. This isn’t your average arcade; it’s a cutting-edge playground that invites you and your kids to step into interactive games, encouraging teamwork with state-of-the-art VR headsets and controllers across two spacious 7×7 meter playing fields. After the thrills, unwind with a refreshing drink at the bar, and consider their catering options for a full day of fun.
The Park VR is more than just a gaming destination; it’s a place to create lasting memories with your family. Right now, the dedicated family VR experience at the Park is centred around ancient Egypt. Billed as ‘The Mask Of The Pharaoh’, we don’t ruin the surprise here! This one simply has to be seen to be believed.
National SEA LIFE Centre Birmingham
Dive into an underwater world at the National SEA LIFE Centre Birmingham, where your family can come face-to-face with over 2,000 creatures, including sharks, rays, and the adorable Gentoo penguins. The 360-degree ocean tunnel is a highlight, offering an immersive experience as you watch the marine life swim above and around you. The centre also focuses on conservation, providing an excellent opportunity to educate the kids about the importance of protecting our oceans.
Cadbury World
A visit to Cadbury World is a must for any family with a sweet tooth. Located in the historic Bournville village, this self-guided exhibition tour takes you through the history of chocolate and the Cadbury business. Kids will love the 4D Chocolate Adventure and the opportunity to see real chocolatiers at work. Plus, there’s plenty of chocolate tasting along the way!
Birmingham Botanical Gardens
For a more relaxed day out, the Birmingham Botanical Gardens offer a beautiful and tranquil setting to explore with the family. The gardens feature four stunning glasshouses that range from tropical rainforest to arid desert climates. There’s also a playground, a butterfly house, and a range of family-friendly events throughout the year.
Ash End House Children’s Farm
Located just outside Birmingham, Ash End House Children’s Farm is a delightful day out for younger children. They can get up close and personal with a variety of farm animals, feed the chickens, and even take a tractor ride. The farm also has a number of play areas and a hatchery where kids can witness chicks emerging from their eggs.
Black Country Living Museum
Step back in time at the Black Country Living Museum, an open-air museum that recreates life in the Black Country in the 19th and early 20th centuries. The museum is an immersive experience with costumed characters, original shops and houses, and even a traditional fairground. Kids can learn about the region’s history in a hands-on way, from attending a Victorian school lesson to trying their hand at traditional crafts.
Cannon Hill Park
Cannon Hill Park is Birmingham’s most popular park and offers a great day out with plenty of space for kids to run around. The park features playgrounds, a mini-golf course, and pedal boats on the lake. The MAC (Midlands Arts Centre) is also located within the park, offering a range of artistic activities, from theatre to visual arts, many of which are aimed at families and children.
Dudley Zoo & Castle
A short drive from Birmingham, Dudley Zoo and Castle provides a unique combination of history and wildlife. The zoo is home to hundreds of animals, including some rare and exotic species, while the 11th-century castle offers stunning views and a glimpse into the area’s past. The zoo also has a range of interactive experiences and feeding times that are sure to captivate the kids.
Lickey Hills Country Park
For families who love the great outdoors, Lickey Hills Country Park is a perfect choice. With over 500 acres of woodland, heathland, and grassland to explore, it’s an ideal spot for walking, picnicking, and nature watching. The park also has a visitor centre, a play area, and a golf course.
The Bottom Line
Birmingham and its surrounding areas are brimming with family-friendly attractions that cater to a wide range of interests. Whether your kids are budding scientists, animal lovers, or outdoor adventurers, there’s something in Birmingham for everyone. So pack your bags, grab your sense of adventure, and get ready for some unforgettable family fun in the heart of England.
In a world where luxury knows no bounds, the global elite have carved out their own private paradises far from the madding crowds of popular tourist haunts. These exclusive enclaves serve not merely as holiday destinations but as carefully curated stages where the wealthy can network, unwind and—let’s be honest—flaunt their considerable fortunes.
From sun-drenched Mediterranean shores to alpine retreats and remote tropical hideaways, these are the destinations where you’re more likely to spot a billionaire than a budget traveller.
Punta del Este, Uruguay
They call it the Monaco of South America, though that hardly does justice to Punta del Este’s unique blend of Latin heat and European sophistication. This Uruguayan peninsula jutting into the Atlantic has transformed from sleepy fishing village to the summer playground for South America’s most powerful families.
The city splits neatly between Playa Mansa (the “tame beach”) and Playa Brava (the “fierce beach”), a geographic division that mirrors the two faces of Punta itself. By day, the beautiful people bronze themselves on pristine sands or shop at beachfront boutiques. As night descends, the action shifts to the exclusive clubs around La Barra, where Shakira has been spotted dancing until dawn, while Leonardo DiCaprio and Ralph Lauren have sought refuge in the peninsula’s more secluded corners.
What makes “Punta” special is its paradoxical nature—cosmopolitan yet intimate, luxurious yet unpretentious. Despite the wealth on display, you’ll still find multi-millionaires queueing for the legendary chivito sandwiches at humble beachside grills, proving that even the elite can’t resist Uruguay’s simple pleasures.
St Tropez, France
Once a humble fishing village on the French Riviera, St Tropez transformed into the playground of the rich and famous after Brigitte Bardot’s appearance in the 1956 film “And God Created Woman.” Since then, this sun-drenched corner of the Côte d’Azur has never looked back.
Those looking into luxury superyachts for sale may also want to make St Tropez their first stop . Indeed here, the harbour tells the story best: gleaming superyachts moor side by side while their celebrity owners—Johnny Depp, the Beckhams, Jay-Z and Beyoncé among them—slip ashore to dine at Sénéquier or lounge at the exclusive Club 55 beach. As dusk falls, the real revelry begins at legendary nightspots like Les Caves du Roy, where tables come with minimum spends that would cover a month’s rent for most mortals.
Despite the wealth on display, there’s still something delightfully unpretentious about the place. Locals play pétanque in the Place des Lices while billionaires wander past in espadrilles, and the morning fish market continues regardless of which oligarch’s yacht is blocking the view.
Across the Atlantic, Palm Beach stands as a monument to old American money and carefully cultivated exclusivity. This slender barrier island off Florida’s east coast has been the winter refuge of America’s elite since oil tycoon Henry Flagler first laid down railway tracks in the 1890s.
Unlike Miami’s flashy scene just an hour south, Palm Beach trades ostentation for understatement. Behind the manicured hedges taller than houses lie sprawling estates where generations of Rockefellers, Kennedys and their ilk have wintered in discreet luxury. Worth Avenue offers shopping to rival Fifth Avenue, though you’ll rarely see anyone carrying bags—purchases are quietly delivered to homes or yachts.
The true heart of Palm Beach exclusivity beats behind the wrought-iron gates of the Palm Beach Country Club. Here, membership remains so elusive that even extraordinary wealth doesn’t guarantee entry—a fact that drives newcomer billionaires to distraction. As locals quip, “Money can buy you a house on Palm Beach, but it can’t get you through certain doors.”
Singapore
When the ultra-wealthy tire of sand between their toes, many head to Singapore—a gleaming urban paradise where money talks but never raises its voice. This tiny island nation has reinvented itself from colonial outpost to Asian financial powerhouse, creating along the way a playground for those who prefer their luxury air-conditioned and meticulously organised.
The unmistakable silhouette of Marina Bay Sands, with its boat-shaped rooftop infinity pool perched impossibly atop three towers, has become shorthand for Singapore’s audacious approach to luxury. Here, Prince Harry, Jennifer Lopez and Chris Hemsworth have all cooled off 57 floors above the city while contemplating the £17,000-per-night price tag of the Chairman Suite.
Singapore’s appeal lies in its contradictions—traditional shophouses stand in the shadow of futuristic skyscrapers, while Michelin-starred restaurants share streets with world-famous hawker stalls.
For the elite accustomed to the finer things in life, Singapore is a dream. Here everything works perfectly, the streets are spotless and one’s wealth can be enjoyed out in the open.
Dubai, UAE
If subtlety is the hallmark of old money, then Dubai is where new money goes to shed its inhibitions. Rising from the desert sands in barely half a century, this glittering metropolis stands as a monument to the proposition that too much is never enough.
The Burj Al Arab, shaped like a billowing sail on its own artificial island, redefined hotel luxury by declaring itself “seven stars“—a rating that doesn’t officially exist but somehow feels appropriate when your suite comes with a 24-karat gold iPad, personal butler, and chauffeur-driven Rolls-Royce. For a cool £9,000 per night, guests can soak in marble jacuzzis while contemplating the audacity of creating ski slopes in the desert next door.
Giorgio Armani and the Beckhams maintain homes here, no doubt drawn by the zero income tax and the heady knowledge that in Dubai, one’s financial excesses aren’t just accepted—they’re expected.
When the burdens of immense wealth become too taxing, the elite retreat to the Maldives—a scattered collection of atolls in the Indian Ocean where privacy comes guaranteed and stress is strictly prohibited. With nearly half the islands housing just a single resort, exclusivity reaches its logical conclusion here.
The overwater villa—that iconic structure perched on stilts above crystal waters—was perfected in the Maldives, offering a physical manifestation of splendid isolation. The ultra-wealthy book entire islands, while the merely very rich must content themselves with underwater suites where glass walls reveal passing manta rays and reef sharks. At places like Velaa Private Island, owned by Czech billionaire Jiří Šmejc, no whim goes unfulfilled, from midnight swims with bioluminescent plankton to personal submarine excursions.
Rita Ora, Gwyneth Paltrow and Taylor Swift have all sought refuge in this paradise, where even paparazzi must respect the sacred barrier of the endless azure sea. The real luxury of the Maldives isn’t found in thread counts or champagne brands—it’s the increasingly rare commodity of genuine seclusion.
Tucked between the Sierra Blanca mountains and the Mediterranean Sea, Marbella has blossomed from sleepy Andalusian town to the playground of sheikhs, oligarchs, and celebrities—without ever quite losing its Spanish soul.
The real action centers on Puerto Banús, where the marina glistens with superyachts that would make Onassis blush. Crew members polish already-spotless decks while their ultra-wealthy owners browse Bulgari and Cartier or linger over langoustines at waterfront restaurants. By night, the legendary Olivia Valére nightclub throbs with aristocrats and the occasional royal, all paying astronomical sums for champagne delivered with sparklers and theatrical flourish.
The “Golden Mile” stretching between Puerto Banús and old Marbella hosts an array of compounds that would make security consultants weep with joy—high walls, discreet gates, and state-of-the-art systems protect the privacy of residents like Antonio Banderas and the Saudi royal family. Yet amid all this conspicuous wealth, Marbella’s old town remains stubbornly authentic, with flower-filled plazas where local grandmothers still gossip while the global elite sip sangria just streets away.
Saint Barthélemy, Caribbean
Locals call it St. Barths, the French call it Saint-Bart, and the very rich simply call it paradise. This tiny French territory in the Caribbean spans just 25 square kilometres but looms large in the imagination of the global elite. The island’s notoriously tricky airport, with its heart-stopping descent over a steep hill before a short runway, ensures a self-selecting clientele—those with private jets and steady nerves.
Gustavia harbour tells the story best: a collection of superyachts so impressive it could double as a floating billionaires’ conference. Ashore, barefoot luxury reigns supreme, with unassuming beach shacks serving £500 bottles of rosé to tech moguls and supermodels who’ve ditched their shoes but kept their diamonds.
Dua Lipa, Jennifer Lopez, Mariah Carey, and Nicole Kidman have all been spotted sun-worshipping here. The real magic of St. Barths lies in its studied informality—where billionaires in flip-flops pretend not to notice other billionaires in flip-flops, creating perhaps the world’s most exclusive private club without walls.
The Hamptons, USA
Mention “heading east” to a Manhattan socialite between May and September, and you needn’t specify where. The Hamptons—that string of villages on Long Island’s South Fork—has been New York’s summer escape for the privileged since the 19th century, when the city’s industrial barons built the first “cottages” (read: mansions) along its pristine Atlantic beaches.
Today, those cottages have evolved into sprawling compounds hidden behind towering privet hedges so tall and dense they’ve become a status symbol of their own. The seasonal migration begins each Memorial Day, when a parade of Range Rovers and Maseratis inch their way down the Long Island Expressway in what locals wryly call “the longest parking lot in America.”
The social calendar revolves around charity galas that double as competitive displays of philanthropy, exclusive beach clubs where memberships pass through generations, and the Hampton Classic Horse Show, where the riders often have less impressive pedigrees than their mounts. Beyoncé and Jay-Z, Calvin Klein, and the Clintons all maintain retreats here, while a flotilla of social strivers circle in their orbit, hoping for invitations to the right pool parties. Yet for all its wealth and pretension, the Hamptons still conjures a particular American nostalgia—the smell of sea salt mixing with freshly mown grass, and the feeling, however illusory, of simpler times.
When European aristocrats discovered St. Moritz in the mid-19th century, they began a love affair with winter sports that transformed the Alpine experience from peasant necessity to patrician pleasure. Today, this Swiss enclave remains the quintessential winter playground for those who view skiing as merely one activity in a broader social performance.
Perched 1,800 metres above sea level in the pristine Engadin Valley, St. Moritz benefits from what locals call the “champagne climate”—dry, sunny days that feel brisk rather than brutal, perfect for showing off the latest Moncler creations against blinding white snow. The Badrutt’s Palace Hotel, with its iconic tower overlooking the frozen lake, has been hosting royalty since 1896, its wood-panelled corridors whispering with generations of blue-blooded gossip.
The winter social season defies conventional logic: polo matches played on the frozen lake, the White Turf horse races where thoroughbreds thunder across packed snow, and the invitation-only Cresta Run toboggan course—a terrifying ice chute that has tested courage and broken bones since 1885. Property here sells for eye-watering sums, not that the buyers notice; when you’re paying £30,000 per square metre, what’s a few million between friends?
Aspen, Colorado
What began as a silver mining outpost in the Colorado Rockies has mutated into something far more precious: a winter playground where the air is thin and the wallets are fat. Aspen manages the neat trick of feeling both rustic and rarefied—a place where billionaires in £2,000 ski jackets can pretend they’re communing with nature.
The town’s Victorian core remains charmingly intact, though the general stores have been replaced by Prada and Gucci boutiques, and the saloons transformed into farm-to-table restaurants where reservations are harder to secure than venture capital funding. During Christmas and New Year, the small airport becomes a parking lot for private jets, their gleaming fuselages lined up like expensive toys temporarily abandoned by children rushing to open presents.
Jeff Bezos, the Crown family, John Paulson, and Kevin Costner all maintain compounds here, their security details adding a frisson of intrigue to otherwise unremarkable SUVs crawling through town. The Aspen Institute and summer music festival provide intellectual cover for the conspicuous consumption, allowing wealthy visitors to feel culturally nourished even as they drop thousands on après-ski champagne. “It’s the most beautiful place,” they’ll tell you earnestly, and they’re right—though the view through a multi-million-dollar picture window inevitably improves the scenery.
Lake Como, Italy
If money can’t buy taste, someone forgot to tell Lake Como. This Y-shaped body of water cradled by Alpine foothills has been seducing the well-heeled since Roman times, when Pliny the Younger built not one but two villas on its shores. Two millennia later, Como remains the gold standard for old-world glamour—a place where even new money quickly acquires a patina of sophistication.
The lake’s shores are dotted with Renaissance villas and Belle Époque mansions, many accessible only by private boat or helicopter. Villa d’Este, now an iconic hotel, embodies Como’s timeless elegance with its floating swimming pool and gardens that have hosted everyone from Clark Gable to Elizabeth Taylor. Alfred Hitchcock was so enchanted he filmed scenes for his first film, “The Pleasure Garden,” here in the 1920s.
George and Amal Clooney catapulted Como back into contemporary consciousness when they purchased the 18th-century Villa Oleandra in Laglio. They reportedly spend four months annually at their £10 million estate, their presence drawing a rotating cast of Hollywood A-listers who cruise the lake in vintage wooden Rivas, the Ferrari of boats.
Bora Bora, French Polynesia
Some five thousand miles from mainland France lies a volcanic island so startlingly beautiful it seems computer-generated. Bora Bora, with its impossibly blue lagoon encircled by coral reefs and dominated by the jagged silhouette of Mount Otemanu, has become the ultimate trophy destination for those wealthy enough to venture literally to the ends of the earth for their pleasures.
The overwater bungalow—that architectural icon now replicated from the Maldives to Mexico—reaches its apotheosis here. At the Four Seasons Resort, where rooms start at £1,000 per night and private villas soar beyond £26,000, guests sleep on glass panels that reveal tropical fish swirling below and dine on seafood caught hours earlier. Jennifer Aniston, Justin Bieber, and Robert De Niro have all surrendered to Bora Bora’s particular spell, their security details trying (and failing) to look inconspicuous in paradise.
What separates Bora Bora from other tropical idylls is its particular balance of raw nature and refined comfort. Despite the Michelin-worthy cuisine and 300-thread-count sheets, guests remain thrillingly aware of the island’s volcanic heart and the vast, empty Pacific stretching beyond the reef. It’s a primordial Eden with butler service—allowing billionaires to feel momentarily like castaways, albeit ones with personal chefs, infinity pools, and Wi-Fi strong enough to check their stock portfolios between swims.
The Bottom Line
As global wealth continues to concentrate in fewer hands, these rarefied playgrounds grow ever more exclusive. For the ultra-wealthy, these destinations serve as more than mere holiday spots—they’re carefully controlled environments where the fortunate few can escape both the masses and the burdens that accompany vast fortunes.
In these enclaves, privacy and discretion have become the ultimate luxuries—more precious than the finest champagne or the softest linens. Here, billionaires can briefly forget their boardroom battles and politicians can shed their public personas. The real currency in these playgrounds isn’t money (everyone has that) but access: to the right clubs, the right parties, the right people.
As one Palm Beach socialite famously quipped, “Money can’t buy happiness, but it can buy a yacht big enough to sail right up to where happiness is.” In these exclusive destinations, that happiness is served chilled, with a perfect view, and far from prying eyes.
Is it just us, or does it feel like the four walls of home are closing in? Previously open spaces are now full of work paraphernalia, and rooms once ripe for taking a few moments to yourself are now occupied with family members who used to, you know, go out once in a while. The hangover from a global pandemic, no doubt, but also a reaction to a seemingly ceaseless cost of living crisis and, you know, a particularly gloomy spring so far…
Fortunately, there are solutions to this overwhelming sense of overcrowding which don’t involve having to sling up a tent in the garden and hide out there until this ‘thing’ is all over. Instead, just a few simple domestic additions and adjustments can have your house feeling more spacious than ever. With that in mind, here are 7 home makeover ideas that will help open up your home.
Simply Add Mirrors
Mirror, mirror on the wall, who has the most spacious home of them all? You, after reading this, we’d wager.
Consider creating a gallery wall of mirrors to make any room in the home seem bigger. Indeed, a wall of mirrors can add that much-needed sense of spaciousness, especially in small rooms, by reflecting light around and giving the illusion of an expansive domestic set up.
Mirrors also enhance natural light, reflecting even a sliver and magnifying that sense of illumination. As Real Homes explain, “A gallery wall devoted entirely to mirrors doesn’t just brighten and enlarge a space visually; it also creates a visually striking focal point”. Real talk from Real Homes; who are we to argue?
The Illusion Of An Expansive Outdoors
Bringing the outdoors in is one of the easiest ways to make your home feel brighter, fresher, and more invigorating. Ideal Home suggests you “Conjure the illusion of an amazing landscape with a trompe-l’oeil feature wall”, which basically acts as a mural to all things verdant and living, without the effort required to actually keep plants alive.
Alternatively, you could introduce actual plants; think a massive feature wall of greenery which adds the illusion of extra space by playing with height, depth and the idea of where the home ends and the garden begins.
Knock Down Some Walls
Here at IDEAL, we love open-plan living spaces. From spending more time in the kitchen to hosting dinner parties, this generous, sociable layout promotes a live-work-dine experience which really helps you make the most of your home.
Open-plan living is one way to bind a kitchen, typically at the back of the house, with other rooms and the garden to create one large multi-functional and light-filled space.
The nature of the design traditionally allows for light to travel all the way through the ground floor of a property, with no pesky walls getting in the way and blocking its natural flow; great for mood and saving on electricity costs, too!
Removing walls not only allows more natural light to travel through the home, but it also makes a small area seem much larger, too. Knocking through a room – an under-used dining space, for instance – into a smaller kitchen to make the most of both area’s floor space is a great idea.
Just don’t knock down that lovely green feature wall you’ve created!
Install New Windows
There are loads of different styles of windows out there. But when it comes to opening up your space and letting more light in, some types of windows are better than others.
Floor-to-ceiling windows are ideal here – the expansive panes of glass will flood your home with natural light. That said, they aren’t, of course, practical for every home.
Alternatively, casement windows combine narrow frames with a single slash and are known for their ability to let maximum light in, while double hung windows allow you to maximise ventilation and light flow.
Suppose your eyes are immediately drawn to the cost element, which can often be high where replacing windows are concerned. In that case, rest assured that there grants that you may be eligible for. These offer completely free or reduced cost windows and doors to some households within the UK in the form of a home improvement grant. This is to help households improve energy efficiency and, ultimately, reduce the country’s carbon footprint.
Add Bifold Doors
If you’re looking to introduce even more openness to your home (hey, that tent is starting to sound like the solution, after all), then you’ve probably considered a wall of folding doors and if you haven’t, then you should.
Modern bifold doors not only fill a room with natural light, making it feel bigger, brighter and more beautiful, but they also effortlessly blur the border between your indoor and outdoor spaces.
This house-to-garden connection is ideal for the warmer months, allowing summer hospitality to spill out from the home and into the garden. Whereas in the winter, when it’s dark and gloomy and you’re confined to the four walls of your home, bifold doors are a superb way to bring the outdoors in, letting that much needed natural light flow into your property. Job done!
Utilise Multi-Functional Furniture
In the quest for a more spacious home, the furniture you choose plays a pivotal role. Opting for multi-functional pieces can transform the way you utilise space within your home. A sofa bed in the living room, for instance, can turn a conventional seating area into a guest room in a pinch. Similarly, an ottoman with storage can serve as a footrest, additional seating, and a place to stow away blankets or books.
Nesting tables are another excellent choice; they can be spread out to hold drinks and snacks when you’re entertaining, and tucked away neatly when you need more floor space. Choose furniture that can adapt to different spaces and needs, which is particularly useful in smaller homes where every inch counts. By investing in furniture that serves multiple purposes, you can reduce clutter and make your home feel more expansive and adaptable to your changing needs.
Embrace Vertical Storage Solutions
When floor space is at a premium, it’s time to think vertically. Utilising the height of your rooms with tall shelving units can draw the eye upwards, creating a sense of volume and space. Wall-mounted shelves are a fantastic way to display books, ornaments, and plants without sacrificing valuable square footage.
Moreover, consider installing shelves in otherwise unused spaces, such as above door frames or in the corners of rooms. Indeed, by embracing vertical storage, you can declutter surfaces and maintain a more open, airy feel in your home.
The Bottom Line
In the end, creating a sense of spaciousness in your home is about being strategic with your design choices. From the reflective magic of mirrors to the transformative power of bifold doors, each of these seven home makeover ideas offers a unique way to enhance the openness of your living space. By incorporating multi-functional furniture and vertical storage solutions, you can further optimise your home’s layout for a more expansive feel.
Remember, the goal is not just to create the illusion of space, but to actually improve the flow and functionality of your home. With a bit of creativity and some smart design tactics, you can turn even the most cramped quarters into a haven of spacious serenity. So, before you consider pitching that tent in the garden, try out these tips and watch as your home opens up, becoming a place where light, space, and style coexist beautifully.
When it comes to building muscle, the common imagery that springs to mind is often a gym filled with heavy weights, clanking iron and a soundtrack of roaring dudes. However, there’s an alternative approach that’s been gaining traction and respect in the fitness community: callisthenics. This form of exercise utilises one’s own body weight to build muscle and strength, offering a unique set of benefits and challenges, potential for muscle growth and new motivation.
So, if you can’t get to a gym easily, don’t have the time to set aside for daily trips there, or simply prefer the organic, freeform, freeing nature of bodyweight training, then callisthenics could be for you. With the help of AS Personal Training, here are some top tips on building muscle without using weights.
Understanding Callisthenics
Callisthenics is rooted in ancient Greek traditions, with the word itself deriving from the Greek words ‘kalos’ (meaning ‘beautiful’) and ‘sthenos’ (meaning ‘strength’). It encompasses a range of exercises that are rhythmic, systematic, and often involve minimal equipment. The beauty of callisthenics lies in its simplicity and the fact that it can be practised almost anywhere.
The Benefits Of Bodyweight Training
Before we delve into the how-tos, let’s explore why you might choose callisthenics over traditional weightlifting:
Accessibility: No need for expensive workout equipment or gym memberships; your body and gravity are your primary tools.
Versatility: You can easily modify exercises to increase or decrease difficulty, making it suitable for all fitness levels.
Functional Strength: Calisthenics develops strength that’s applicable to everyday movements and activities.
Balance and Coordination: These exercises often require control and precision, enhancing your overall body coordination.
Reduced Injury Risk: With proper form, the risk of injury is often lower than with heavy weights, as you’re less likely to overexert with external loads.
Building Muscle With Calisthenics
Now, let’s get into the nitty-gritty of how to build muscle through callisthenics.
Master The Basics
Before you attempt advanced moves, ensure you have a solid foundation. Focus on mastering the following fundamental exercises:
Push-Ups
A staple for chest, shoulders, and triceps…
Hand Positioning: Experiment with hand positions to target different muscle groups. For instance, placing your hands closer together will work the triceps more, while a wider stance focuses on the chest.
Elevation: Elevate your feet to increase the difficulty and target the upper chest and shoulders.
Tempo: Slow down the eccentric (lowering) phase of the push-up to increase muscle time under tension.
Volume: Gradually increase the number of sets and reps as you get stronger.
Variations: Incorporate push-up variations such as archer push-ups, one-arm push-ups, or explosive push-ups to challenge your muscles differently.
Grip Variation: Use different grips (overhand, underhand, neutral) to engage different parts of your back and biceps.
Pause Reps: Pause at the top of the movement to increase intensity and improve grip strength.
Negatives: Focus on the lowering phase by jumping up to the bar and then slowly lowering yourself down.
Volume: Add more reps or sets over time, or try to do more pull-ups within a set time frame.
Assistance: If you’re struggling with pull-ups, use resistance bands for assistance or perform inverted body rows as a progression.
Squats
Target the legs and glutes…
Depth: Aim for a full range of motion, squatting down until your thighs are at least parallel to the ground, to engage the maximum number of muscle fibres.
Foot Position: Adjust your stance width and toe angle to target different areas of the legs.
Tempo: Implement a slow tempo or pause at the bottom of the squat to increase difficulty.
Jump Squats: Add plyometric jump squats to build explosive power.
Movement: Add movement to your plank by performing plank jacks, mountain climbers, or by walking your hands out and back in.
Time: Gradually increase the duration of your planks, aiming to hold the position for longer periods.
Props: Use an exercise ball or TRX bands to add instability, which forces your core to work harder.
Progression Is Key
To build muscle, you must continually challenge your body. Once you can comfortably perform the basic exercises, start increasing the difficulty. This can be done by:
Adding More Repetitions: Increase the number of reps per set.
Elevating Intensity: Slow down the movements to increase time under tension.
Progressing to Advanced Variations: For example, move from regular push-ups to diamond push-ups or archer push-ups.
More Advanced Calisthenics & Body Weight Exercises
As you progress in callisthenics, you can challenge yourself with more advanced exercises that require greater strength, balance, and body control. Here are five advanced callisthenics exercises to consider incorporating into your routine:
Muscle-Ups
A muscle-up is a combination of a pull-up followed by a dip. It’s an advanced exercise that targets your upper body and requires significant strength and technique.
How to Progress: Start by mastering pull-ups and dips separately. Then, work on explosive pull-ups, getting your chest to the bar. Use resistance bands for assistance if needed, and practise the transition from the pull-up to the dip in a fluid motion.
Front Lever
The front lever is an impressive skill that involves holding your body horizontal to the ground, parallel with the floor, while gripping a pull-up bar.
How to Progress: Begin with easier variations such as tuck front levers or one-leg extended front levers. Gradually extend your legs as your core and back strength improve. Practice holding the position for longer periods.
Planche
The planche is a powerful move where you hold your body parallel to the ground, supported only by your hands. It requires significant wrist, arm, shoulder, and core strength.
How to Progress: Start with planche leans and frog stands to build up strength. Progress to tuck planche and slowly extend your legs out as you become stronger. Use parallettes or push-up bars if wrist discomfort is an issue.
Human Flag
The human flag requires you to hold your body sideways and parallel to the ground, gripping a vertical pole. This move demands substantial core, arm, and shoulder strength.
How to Progress: Begin by practicing the flag hold with your bottom arm pulling and your top arm pushing. Work on negative flags, starting from the top position and slowly lowering down. Build up to the full human flag by increasing your hold time.
Handstand Push-Ups
Handstand push-ups are an advanced vertical pushing exercise where you perform a push-up in a handstand position. This targets the shoulders, triceps, and core.
How to Progress: First, get comfortable with holding a handstand against a wall. Practice partial range of motion push-ups, gradually increasing the depth. Move away from the wall as you gain balance and control.
When attempting these advanced exercises, it’s crucial to have a solid foundation of strength and to have mastered the basic movements. Always focus on form to prevent injury, and consider seeking guidance from a calisthenics coach or experienced practitioner.
Implement A Routine
Consistency is vital. Create a balanced routine that targets all the major muscle groups. A typical routine might look like this:
Monday: Upper body (push focus)
Tuesday: Lower body and core
Wednesday: Rest or active recovery
Thursday: Upper body (pull focus)
Friday: Lower body and core
Weekend: Rest or light activities (e.g., walking, yoga)
Don’t Neglect Nutrition
Muscle growth isn’t just about exercise; nutrition plays a significant role. Ensure you’re consuming enough protein to aid muscle repair and growth, and don’t forget to hydrate adequately.
The Bottom Line
Callisthenics offers a unique approach to muscle building that’s both effective and accessible. By mastering the basics, focusing on progression, and paying attention to form, nutrition, and recovery, you can achieve impressive results without ever lifting a weight. Remember, the journey to building muscle is a marathon, not a sprint. Stay patient, stay consistent, and enjoy the process.
Whether you’re a seasoned gym-goer looking for a new challenge or a beginner seeking a cost-effective way to get fit, callisthenics can be a rewarding and practical option. So why not give it a go? Your body might just thank you for it.
Ideal for adopting a new approach to getting a good night’s sleep…
A recent study by psychologists in Sweden and then discussed in the Guardian certainly made for some relatable reading; that “two nights of broken sleep can make people feel years older”. Amen to that.
While there are so many reasons that we’re not getting enough good sleep right now, the worst thing you can do is shrug and accept endless restless nights and tetchy, tense days. Should you be seeking a new angle, then one way to help is by creating the right bedroom environment that will encourage you to relax and drift off smoothly. Enter Feng Shui.
A bedroom designed with Feng Shui in mind is all about creating a peaceful and balanced environment that promotes a good night’s sleep. While the practice is complex and best left in the hands of the masters, simply put, feng shui is all about optimising the environment around us to achieve harmony and balance. It’s driven by the idea of ‘qi’ (pronounced “chee”), or the energy that connects all living things.
When it comes to feng shui energy in your bedroom, it’s all about promoting the flow of love, ideally both of the self and the romantic sort. Moreover, because you’re in a passive state while you sleep, you’re more susceptible to these energies. You owe it to yourself to do all you can to harness them!
From bed position and colours to headboards and even what’s underneath your bed, the finer details matter so much. With that in mind, here are 8 ways to feng shui your bedroom, IDEAL for adopting a new approach to getting a good night’s sleep.
Calm Colours & Bedroom Bagua
When it comes to colour schemes for the bedroom, certain shades and tones are thought to promote sensuality and restfulness. As a general rule, opt for skin tone colours. As the tones of people’s skin vary wonderfully, you have a wide palette of colours to choose from; think chocolate browns, peach tones, pale whites and creams. However, do try to avoid stark whites (a lesson for life, perhaps) as it’s a metal element which can become too activating.
A Bagua map is another way to choose colours for your bedroom. Bagua, which translates to ‘eight areas’, is an energy map placed over the floor plan of your home. It’s essentially a blueprint that interior design experts use when designing a room with feng shui as the focus.
When it comes to the bedroom, a Bagua can offer perspective on how to decorate with the thought of the overall energy of your home in mind. Each area of the Bagua is a specific area defined by the compass in relation to your front door. For example, if your bedroom is in the south of the house in relation to your front door, then choose colours of the fire element – red, pink, orange and purple.
Should your bedroom sit in the middle on the property, then it’s recommended that you channel earthy tones; dark yellows, auburns and deep browns. Fascinating stuff!
Keep The Chi Flowing
Feng shui is said to allow your energy to flow uninhibited through your home, improving your overall quality of life in myriad, unseen ways. When it comes to a bedroom which channels feng shui, you have to know how to keep the chi flowing, and how to deflect any negative energy that may enter your room.
Some basic steps include shutting your bedroom door at night as open doors allow energy to escape. Shutting the door will ensure that any positive energy will stay throughout the night and help you get the best sleep, promoting both mental and physical rejuvenation.
It’s also advised that you have curtains which you can draw shut, as uncovered windows at night create an imbalance of Yin energy. Closing the curtains will prevent your chi energy from flowing out of the window; no one wants that.
Where The Magic Happens
Placing your bed as the focal point of the entire room is conducive to good Feng shui. Indeed, you need to ensure that it’s in the ‘command position’; never place your bed on the same wall as the door – it’s thought that you may feel threatened if someone were to walk in and surprise you, and that sense of existential angst can affect your sleep negatively.
Go further. When it comes to positioning your bed, try not to place it directly below a window – it’s bad Feng shui, pure and simple. If you have no other choice, make sure you have some solid blinds to stop the energy flowing out. For a more in-depth guide on how to position your bed, the good guide guys at The Spruce have created this guide on how to place your bed for Good Feng Shui.
When it comes to keeping the qi flowing, energy needs to circulate around your body when you’re asleep. Avoid beds that have built-in storage draws as the space under the bed is blocked and the qi will be blocked from flowing freely.
In a similar vein, don’t push your bed up against the wall as it does not allow the free flow of energy, making it difficult for you to rejuvenate as you sleep. That said, it’s important to have a supporting wall behind your head and a solid headboard. In feng shui, as in life, headboards provide a feeling of support.
Your Mattress
Your mattress is one of the most vital furniture pieces when it comes to Feng Shui because it’s the closest part to you. When you are asleep, your body is in a yin, passive state and therefore, it’s receptive to the vibrations surrounding you.
Since your bed is one of the most private places in your house, it readily absorbs the “qi.” As such, it’s important that you choose your mattress wisely. Avoid using a used mattress as you can’t be sure what energy they have accumulated from previous users. Go for something supportive. We’re fans of an adjustable mattress base for extra support.
In Feng Shui, symmetry is associated with balance, harmony, and promoting equality in relationships. To enhance the Feng Shui of your bedroom, consider arranging your space symmetrically. This can be particularly effective when it comes to the placement of your bedside tables and lamps. Having identical or similar items on both sides of the bed can create a sense of balance and stability in the room.
When you enter a room that is symmetrically arranged, your mind perceives it as a peaceful and orderly space, which can be incredibly soothing just before sleep. This symmetry also represents partnership and can be especially beneficial for those seeking to strengthen their romantic relationships.
To implement this:
Place matching nightstands on either side of the bed, ensuring they are easily accessible and not cluttered.
Use pairs of lamps, candles, or decorative objects to create visual symmetry and a sense of partnership.
If possible, position the bed so that there is equal space on either side, allowing for an equal flow of energy and making it easy for both partners to get in and out of bed without disturbance.
Declutter
Distraction and debris are the enemy of a restful, sleep-focused winding down before bed. We’ve all had to leap up and out of bed to close ‘that wardrobe door’ before settling down, and some things like that will never change, but when there’s serious clutter in your room, it can affect your quality of sleep negatively. Indeed, according to Feng Shui, it’s more than just a distracting eyesore; it can actually block the flow of chi. Consider burning some sage to clear the space of negative energy while you declutter.
Mind Your Mirrors
Mirror Mirror on the wall, will I ever find sleep again, at all? If you’re finding it hard to sleep, maybe it’s your mirror? Hey, there could be worse places to look for the answer, you beautiful thing.
Indeed, according to the principles of feng shui, mirrors bounce energy around the room. Placing mirrors in the wrong place may cause restlessness and amplify worries. As such, don’t place a mirror opposite or above the bed. Even more importantly; never have two mirrors facing each other – they bounce energy off each other, blocking each other’s path and letting stale energy accumulate in the room. We’ve all felt that once or twice before, right?
Cover Your TV
When it comes to having TV in the bedroom, we’re divided. While we can’t argue with feng shui experts that having a TV is bad for yin and yang, here at IDEAL, we quite enjoy having a TV in the bedroom. If, like us, you savour those moments watching the news in bed with a cup of coffee in the morning, then according to feng shui principles, you should at least cover your TV when you sleep. Ah, there’s nothing like a bit of compromise in these divided times.
The TV is an electronic device with a lot of static energy that can block the fresh flow of energy. By covering your television with a simple cloth, you can soothe the environment and make it more conducive for peace and ultimately, sleep.
The Bottom Line
While we’ve spent a whole article talking about it, there’s only so much redesigning of your room can do. With that in mind, read our tips on how to get more restorative sleep for a healthy, holistic approach to getting your Zzzeds.
Perhaps you saw the news (no, revelation) of a formula statisticians had alighted on to figure out the likelihood of a backseat tantrum on a long car journey with the little ones?
Indeed,[T = 70 + 0.5E + 15F – 10S] aims to offer both predictions and solutions for those inevitable breakdowns that happen when ”are we there yet?” has been exhausted and the road trip has lost its novelty value.
But if you’re not much of a mathematician and words are more your medium, then might we interest you in the below?
When you’re getting ready to travel with babies and young children, it’s only natural that you’re itching to get out of the house and start your vacation. However, in the rush to get out, important items can get left behind.
Foresight is key, here, if you want to ensure that everything goes smoothly during your trip. Trying to squeeze everything but the kitchen sink into a kid’s size suitcase while having a crying baby in one arm and toddlers following around can, quite frankly, be exhausting.
It’s essential to remember a certain Spanish proverb when sorting out your packing; ”on a long journey, even a straw weighs heavy”. And in the wrong hands, if that straw is attached to a sippy cup, things can get very weighty indeed. That’s before you’ve deployed these; our 10 packing hacks for parents travelling with babies and young children.
Packing Cubes To Pack Your Clothes
Are you tired of packing your suitcase and worrying about creases in your little one’s clothes? If so, then try using packing cubes to pack your clothes. Packing cubes are great because they allow you to separate all the items you will take with you during your trip into different compartments.
This way, everything is organised, and cleanliness won’t be an issue when it comes time to use them again; pop them out of their cube. For babies, dedicate one cube exclusively to nappies, wipes and changing essentials so you can quickly grab what you need during those urgent nappy changes.
Take Blankets & Cuddly Toys As Extra Protection For Your Kids
If you have a child who is afraid of flying, taking a blanket and a cuddly toy along is a sensible idea. The blanket will keep them calm, while the toy will be there to comfort them when they get scared. Since planes are usually pretty cold, the blanket will be a very welcome, snuggly relief for your little one.
For babies, their familiar comforter or muslin cloth can work wonders in soothing them during the strange sensations of take-off and landing. The scent of home provides reassurance in unfamiliar surroundings.
On that note, we all know how much kids love to kick off their shoes once seated on a bus, train or plane. Packing warm socks is a good idea, then, so their tootsies don’t freeze!
The last thing that you want to happen when travelling with children is to have them get hungry or thirsty and you find that you’re a long way from a shop.
A simple hack for parents who are travelling with young children is to make sure you travel with baby bottles filled with breast milk, water, juice, formula, or any other drink your child enjoys. You should probably bring multiple silicone bottles for their milk. They are BPA-free, lightweight, break-resistant, non-toxic, odourless, and transparent.
Additionally, silicone bottles are easy to assemble and disassemble, making them a great travel companion for those looking for their suitcases to be compact. For exclusively breastfed babies, having a spare silicone breast pump can be a lifesaver for expressing on-the-go.
Portable, Packable Snacks
Bringing portable baby food is important; however, it can take too much space in your bag. Try to avoid anything with lots of sugar or salt, the former leading to a massive high then a crushing, crashing low, the latter causing headaches and dehydration. You don’t want either.
Instead of packing sauce containers and baby food jars, try bringing GoGo SqueeZ or Ella’s Kitchen fruit pouches. These leak-proof, easy-to-carry snacks come in individually sealed 100% BPA-free packages. The package has holes on each side for airflow, making them perfect for road trips, plane rides, or any other trip that might take you far away from home.
To ensure the safety of the food you packed, double-bag it tightly in Ziploc bags and put it inside an insulated lunch box. This way, the microwaved, pureed food will stay warm.
If that sounds like a bit of a faff, consider packing something light but nourishing, that’s tightly compacted, doesn’t take up too much room and won’t perish on the road, such as organic rice cereals, low-sugar granola bars, crackers, or healthy versions of popcorn. For babies who are weaning, pre-loaded silicone spoons with frozen fruit puree can serve as both a teething soother and nutritious snack.
Pack Multi-Purpose Bath & Beach Items
When travelling to destinations with water features, whether it’s a hotel pool, the seaside, or simply bath time in unfamiliar accommodation, bringing versatile water toys can save significant space whilst maximising entertainment value. A mesh bag containing a few small items like stacking cups, a collapsible bucket, and floating toys can serve you across multiple settings. These items become beach toys for sand play, bath toys for evening wind-down routines, and even rainy-day entertainment in a pinch. The mesh bag itself provides drainage and quick drying, preventing musty smells from developing during your holiday. Prioritise silicone or plastic items that won’t rust or deteriorate when repeatedly wet, and choose bright colours that are easily spotted if left behind at public pools or beaches.
Create A ‘First-Day Survival Bag’
When you arrive at your destination after a long journey, the last thing you want is to unpack your entire suitcase immediately to find essentials. Pack a small, separate bag with all the items you’ll need for the first 24 hours—a change of clothes for each family member, pyjamas, toothbrushes, nappies, wipes, and any medication.
This clever hack means you can collapse into bed upon arrival or head straight to the pool without having to rifle through your entire luggage. It’s particularly useful if you’re arriving late at night or if there’s any chance your main luggage might be delayed. For babies, include enough formula and nappies to last the first day and night, plus a few extra in case of delays or emergencies.
Use Washable Markers & A Travel-Sized Whiteboard
Electronic entertainment isn’t always practical, and colouring books get used up quickly. A brilliant alternative is to pack washable markers and a small whiteboard or laminated sheets. These provide endless drawing opportunities without the bulk of paper pads or the worry of crayon marks on hotel furniture. Children can draw, erase and start again, meaning one compact item replaces potentially dozens of colouring books.
For older children, the whiteboard can also serve as a game board for hangman, noughts and crosses, or word games during long waits at airports or restaurants. Even babies can enjoy sensory experiences with special water-reveal colouring mats that leave no mess. The washable markers ensure that any accidents on clothes or surfaces can be easily cleaned—a relief for any parent who’s experienced the dismay of permanent marker discoveries.
Bring Their Favorite Pillow
We get used to particular pillows when we sleep, with their size and softness bringing the comfort of familiarity. We all know how vital having a comfortable place to sleep is while travelling or on road trips. If your little ones are not fond of sleeping on hotel pillows, then bring their favourite pillow with you on vacation.
Bringing inflatable pillows can help, too, if you’re really short on space, as they take up less space and can be deflated easily. For babies, their familiar cot sheet with the scent of home can help them settle in an unfamiliar travel cot.
Bring Your Child’s Favourite Toy
Saving the most obvious advice for last; sometimes, kids get bored when you take them on vacation. To prevent this from happening, make sure you bring their favourite baby toys. In the case of young children, try bringing ones that stimulate their senses because these toys are designed in such a way that they attract children’s attention and keep them occupied and entertained on long journeys.
For babies, a small selection of high-contrast black and white cards or a rattle with different textures can provide sensory stimulation when they’re alert and curious.
Nominate A Packer
Since you’re here with us, going over these hacks, we think it’s safe to assume that you’ve been allocated the noble role of taking care of the kid’s packing. In case you haven’t, it’s always a good idea when travelling with young children to nominate one packer in the family, to ensure that stuff doesn’t get double packed or forgotten. Make it one parent’s responsibility, and stick to it. This is especially important when packing for babies, as forgetting essential items like special formula or medication could derail your entire holiday before it begins.
The Bottom Line
Babies and kids need stuff. And so much of it. But your trip will be vastly improved by packing light and only bringing with you what you absolutely need. Of course, medical necessities, snacks, and entertainment are essential, but does the little one really need his lightsaber, superman cape and doll’s house in the back of the car?
A final word on timing; if you’re like us, and you like to take your packing right down to the wire (sometimes still finessing it on the way to the airport), then you’ll know that this last minute approach does you no favours in terms of space saving, particularly when you’re going on holiday with the whole family.
Better in the long term, we think, to pack methodically and with time to spare, allowing plenty of time to squeeze in those vital extras and sieve out the unnecessaries.
We’ve all experienced that sense of rising friction with our neighbours once in a while, whether it’s because of the pumping drum and bass at four in the morning, the recycling bin they never bring back inside, or, perhaps, something you’ve done to rub them up the wrong way.
When it comes to peaceful coexistence with your neighbour, life sure does get complicated, and simply trying to live in peace with your neighbour rarely feels, well simple, with rows erupting over property disputes, noise, and street etiquette, sometimes all seemingly at once.
It doesn’t have to be this way – we’re all adults here, after all. When trying to deal with things like property disputes, there is a lot you can do to make sure that you handle them calmly and maturely – to the benefit of all parties involved. So, with that being said, let’s get started; here’s how to handle a dispute with your neighbour calmly.
What Is A Property Dispute?
A typical property dispute can occur for a number of reasons. Essentially, a property dispute is a situation that you can get into with your neighbour when the two of you have an argument regarding something that is affecting both of your properties.
There are plenty of situations in which a property dispute can occur, especially when one party is making changes or modifications to the property.
If your neighbour feels that the actions you are posing a threat to the value or structural integrity of their home, you can find yourself embroiled in a property dispute.
What Can Cause a Dispute Over Property?
It’s important to understand there are many different things which can cause a property dispute. Working out what the best route of action to take is will depend upon the type of dispute that you are having. Here are some of the most common:
Construction Work
Construction work is one of the most common instances where the threat of a property dispute crops up. If you perform work on your property, and do so without consulting your neighbour, they may feel that they have a claim to raise a dispute with you regarding potential damage done to the property.
You see, it’s all about the party wall. This is the part of the property which technically you own as well as your neighbour, and if you would do something that might make changes to this party wall, your neighbour can complain. This most commonly occurs during loft conversions.
Noise
Noise complaints can quickly become a difficult problem to resolve. It’s often the case that when it comes to noise, some neighbours skip trying to resolve the situation peacefully and jump straight into an argument. If this happens to you, then you should definitely look at conflict resolution, potentially via the RCS’ Neighbour Disputes Service.
Antisocial Behaviour
If something you do is considered to be antisocial to your neighbour then they may try to initiate a property dispute, or simply develop an issue with you as a person. Naturally, this is not something you want to happen, which is why it can be important to try and keep an eye on behaviour which could be seen as antisocial.
According to the Antisocial Behaviour Act 2003 and Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011, antisocial behaviour is defined as ‘behaviour by a person which causes, or is likely to cause, harassment, alarm or distress to persons not of the same household as the person’. Some examples include excessive noise, graffiti, drinking or drug use that leads to trouble being caused, littering, and racism, according to Shelter Scotland.
The Best Way To Address A Dispute
Let’s be honest – nobody wants to engage in a dispute with a neighbour. It’s often a bitter, problematic process.
There are a couple of different ways that you can engage in sensible conflict resolution with the result of settling the tension between you and your neighbour.
The best thing that you can do to try and resolve the conflict peacefully is to open a dialogue with your neighbour. Sit down, talk about what it is that upset them, and see if you can find a peaceful solution together.
Obviously, the end goal should be to try and avoid getting into a conflict with them, but if you have to do so, then the courts may be a necessary step for legally resolving an issue.
Insurance & Liability Issues
Often overlooked but potentially contentious, disputes can arise when property damage occurs and neighbours disagree about who’s liable and which insurance should cover the costs. For instance, if a tree from your property falls onto your neighbour’s greenhouse during a storm, or if water damage from a burst pipe in your home affects their property, determining responsibility can become complicated.
Similarly, if work carried out by your contractors accidentally damages their property, establishing who should pay for repairs can lead to conflict. To manage these situations effectively, it’s crucial to understand your various insurance polices, particularly your home insurance policy, and keep detailed records of any incidents. When damage occurs, inform both your insurance provider and your neighbour immediately, and try to work together to document the damage with photographs.
Being proactive about liability coverage and maintaining comprehensive insurance can prevent minor incidents from becoming major disputes, whilst demonstrating your commitment to being a responsible neighbour.
Handling A Dispute With Your Neighbour Calmly
So, property disputes with your neighbour can be a difficult thing to try and resolve. Obviously, you want to make sure that you and your neighbour get on to the best of your ability, but this isn’t always possible.
For whatever reason, your neighbour may decide that they have an issue with you, and if they do, you need to find a method of peaceful resolution. If that doesn’t work, then you have access to the court system, and you can use this to secure the right outcome for the situation.
*Please be advised that this article is for general informational purposes only, and should not be used as a substitute for advice from a trained legal professional. Be sure to consult a lawyer/solicitor if you’re seeking advice on dispute resolution. We are not liable for risks or issues associated with using or acting upon the information on this site.*
Hey, we realise that you’re short on time and we’ve been told not to keep you long, but while we’ve got your attention, can we interest you in an old Scottish proverb?
‘’What may be done at any time will be done at no time’’.
Glad you liked it. Kinda pertinent, don’t you think? Because with work ever busy and personal lives demanding attention, time management can be a tricky task.
Time is a precious and valuable commodity (they do say it’s money, after all) and managing it is a vital life skill that, sadly, they don’t teach in school. It’s a particularly hard thing to manage on a personal level; the pressures of deadlines and the demands of your boss are one surefire way to keep you focused on the clock, for better or for worse.
Anyway, let’s not waste any more of your precious time with this introduction; here’s how to manage your personal time more effectively.
Start Your Day Early & Save Time
You know what they say about the ‘early bird’, right? That they get loads done in the morning.
Well, one of the best ways to manage your personal time more effectively is to make a real effort to get up earlier, ideally at the same time every day. A strict adherence to routine is the key to disciplined time management and subsequently, a day’s successful task completion, and this all begins with waking up right.
That said, it doesn’t help if you wake up at the crack of dawn to “have more time in the day” if you spend said saved time running around like a headless chicken mushing your outfit together.
To make your early start easier, decide on your outfit the day before. From a logistical point of view, picking out your outfit the night before helps to save time in the morning; just grab, wear and go. Moreover, it lowers stress as it’s one less decision you have to make in the morning. When choosing your outfit, be sure to check what the weather will be like the next day and get everything ready – from your knickers, tights, shoes, make-up, jewellery and handbag.
Another way to save time in the morning is to get your breakfast ready the day before. Consider prepping something the night before, like overnight oats. These little pots of joy are the ideal grab-and-go breakfast to start your day the healthy way. Oats are a natural superfood, 100% wholegrain and an excellent source of fibre, protein, vitamins and antioxidants. Result!
Seeing as we’re focusing on time management today, we won’t witter on when the perfect article is elsewhere. Instead, check out these great tips on how to feel more energised in the morning when you’ve got the time.
Use A Physical Or Digital Calendar
A calendar is a great place to start when it comes to managing personal time. Sure, it might sound perverse to schedule in engagements such as meeting your folks for lunch or tidying the house, but documenting your life chronologically like this can really help you manage it better.
Doing so helps to keep your plans in a centralised place and to visually plan out important dates in the year – juggling those with more unassuming but no less vital appointments, like hanging out with your dog or practicing the piano. Or, watching your dog play piano…
Perhaps best is a physical calendar, placed in an easily visible, accessible location where you spend a lot of time – why not hang one opposite the toilet for instance, for you to ponder while you sit? Transposing all entries from your physical calendar into a digital format will help reinforce them in your memory, too.
The Eisenhower Decision Matrix
The Eisenhower Decision Matrix is a useful tool that many top executives swear by. In short, it’s a way of prioritising tasks. The core principle behind the matrix is that tasks of ‘urgency’ and ‘importance’ deserve distinguishing in order to help you manage your time more effectively.
Daily tasks are divided into columns – important and urgent, important but not urgent, not important but urgent, not important and not urgent – and are then prioritised in terms of what you should do yourself and what you should delegate or abandon.
Though this decisions matrix is traditionally intended for workplace task management, it can also be applied to personal time management.
Schedule Important Dates Early
Always try to get the important dates in your calendar locked down well in advance of their happening so you can plan around those commitments. Whether it be boring but important admin jobs like paying your bills and servicing your car, or personal dates to remember like birthdays or anniversaries, schedule these in – physically and digitally – so you can easily plan around them throughout the year.
Set Aside Time For Rest & Relaxation
While it’s important to plan your weekly activities and commitments, it can be as important to set aside time for a bit of R&R too, regardless of whether you use your weekends for a side hustle or your evenings for study.
Schedule this time deliberately so it doesn’t get sidelined by other things. Whether it’s just time to relax, or time spent on a hobby or interest that you love, including this time in your personal calendar can allow you to achieve a better work/life balance and make your downtime feel all the more earned. And that’s what it’s all about, right?
Put An End To Multitasking
Contrary to popular belief, multitasking is the enemy of productivity, whether you’re in the office or at home. Without placing a deserved, diligent focus on each task, you do yourself and the task completion a disservice. In short, everything just takes longer.
Embrace the Japanese productivity focused philosophy of Kaizen; by completing each and every daily task with rigour and to your full potential, you will incrementally – even unknowingly – become the best version of yourself. Harness this, and your time management will become more effective.
Use Calendar Reminders
If you don’t have your physical calendar or diary with you at all times, it’s a good idea to set reminders on your phone or another device to ensure you never forget about events or engagements.
You will find that most digital calendars or diaries will do this automatically, making it easy and convenient to remind yourself, but it’s often best to back this up with a manual input.
Though we’re still a little suspicious of smart home hubs like the Amazon Echo Dot or the Samsung SmartThings Hub, they are superbly efficient for setting reminders, as the prompts are aural as well as visual.
Just instruct Alexa to ‘remind me to check IDEAL Magazine at 8am every morning’ and she’ll do just that, with a courteous tone and a jolly little tune.
The Pareto Principle
The Pareto Principle (sometimes referred to as the 80/20 rule) is a theory of time management that posits that the relationship between effort and result rarely correlates perfectly. As in, 20% or your activities may well account for 80% of your outcomes.
When considering the principle in terms of personal time management, a to-do list of ten items will likely involve two tasks that account for as much importance as the other eight.
This can help you write better to-do lists. Start by listing your day’s tasks from one to ten in order of the amount of effort required (1 being the least effort and 10 being the most). Next, think about the potential for positive results from these tasks; 10 having the greatest positive impact on your life all the way to 1 not even being worth getting out of bed for.
Finally, divide each task’s effort score by its results number, giving you a new priority ranking, with the tasks requiring the least effort and granting the largest reward prioritised first. The tasks that require a large amount of effort for minimum payoff can be delegated or removed entirely.
Group Things Together To Save Time
Another key concept of effective time management is sometimes referred to as ‘grouping’. In terms of your personal life, grouping outings like shopping, going to the bank and getting petrol into one single journey can help you to avoid having to go out more than once during the day to run errands, thus saving you time to attack other tasks head on.
If you are cleaning the house in increments, it simply takes longer; instead, do everything you planned grouped together into a single session until it’s complete. If you can, avoid taking too many breaks and procrastinating, freeing you up time later in the day for another task. And so on…
Visualise Your Time For Better Insights
One of the most effective ways to improve time management is to actually see how you’re spending your hours. Just as large organisations use data visualisation tools like Power BI process mining to understand their operational workflows, you can apply similar principles to track your personal time.
Start by logging your daily activities for a week – what you do, when you do it and for how long. You might be surprised at where your time actually goes. Those “quick” social media checks might add up to hours, whilst that project you’ve been meaning to finish may only get minutes of attention.
Tools as simple as a spreadsheet or as sophisticated as time-tracking apps can help you visualise these patterns. Look for the gaps between how you think you spend your time versus the reality. Much like how businesses discover inefficiencies through process analysis, you’ll likely spot several opportunities to reclaim lost hours.
Once you’ve identified these patterns, you can make more informed decisions about restructuring your day. Perhaps you’re most productive in the morning but have been wasting that energy on low-priority tasks. Or maybe you’ve discovered that certain activities always take longer than you allocate for them, causing a domino effect of delays.
Remember, you can’t manage what you don’t measure. A visual representation of your time gives you the objective data needed to make meaningful improvements.
The Connect-Then-Direct Principle
A powerful leadership principle that can be brilliantly applied to personal time management is the “Connect, Then Direct” approach, championed by successful business leaders worldwide.
At its core, this principle suggests spending time connecting with people and understanding situations before attempting to direct or manage them. In this approach, listening comes before instructing, and understanding precedes action.
When applied to personal time management, this principle encourages you to spend a bit of time connecting with yourself and your goals before directing your schedule. Start each week with a brief reflection on what truly matters to you right now. What are your current priorities? What would make this a fulfilling and productive week?
This approach prevents the common trap of being merely busy rather than productive. By connecting with your authentic goals first, you direct your time towards what genuinely matters rather than what merely demands attention.
Many executives who follow this philosophy use notebooks to jot down ideas and reflections, creating a tangible connection with their thoughts before taking action. You might try something similar – a quick journaling session on Sunday evening or Monday morning to connect with your intentions before directing your week’s schedule.
As the saying goes, “Listen more than you talk. Nobody learned anything by hearing themselves speak.” Similarly, you won’t learn how to best manage your time without first listening to what your mind, body and goals are telling you they need.
The Bottom Line
This thing’s all about developing better habits and training yourself through repetition to stick to them. Though better time management won’t happen overnight, you will learn to manage your personal life more effectively if you automate it with calendars, reminders and most importantly, repetition.
Good luck, and now you’ve freed up a few hours, shall we meet up for a coffee?
Are you tired of the same old gym routine? Want to switch things up and bring the workout to your home? Well, you’ve come to the right place…
No, not a new and exciting gym, silly, but rather, this handy guide on the best exercise equipment that’s both affordable and compact enough to fit into your home gym.
Investing in the right home exercise equipment can save you time and money, without that expensive gym membership and time-consuming trips to the local fitness centre. Having all of your gear within arm’s reach can also provide a more personalised and convenient workout experience, that’s for sure but from resistance bands to treadmills, there are lots of options to choose from and that choice can get a little overwhelming.
But don’t just settle for any equipment, do your research and invest in high-quality products that will stand the test of time and give you the desired results. The key here is to invest in items that tone, build and strengthen more than one key muscle group in one go, and with that in mind, here are 10 pieces of home exercise equipment to give your whole body a workout.
TRX Cables
TRX cables are suspension-based items of training equipment that allows you to perform exercises using your body weight as resistance. They are a great way to burn calories and lose weight. TRX exercises work for multiple muscle groups at once, increasing your metabolism and leading to more calorie burn during and after your workout.
A little different to resistance bands, which provide tension through the band itself, suspension training using TRX cables promotes functional strength and can help improve your balance, coordination, and core stability.
In terms of being good home gym equipment, TRX cables are a great option because they are lightweight, portable, and easy to set up. You can hang them from a door frame, a tree, or a pull-up bar, which you can use in different locations in your home.
Additionally, TRX cables come with many exercise options; you can do cardio, strength training, and flexibility, all with one piece of equipment.
A Punch Bag
Investing in a punch bag as a piece of home exercise equipment can be another fast route to a multi-muscle workout for several reasons. It is a great way to improve cardiovascular fitness and burn calories, as it requires a lot of energy to strike the bag repeatedly.
Additionally, it is a high-intensity, full-body workout that can help to improve strength, endurance, and power. A punch bag can also be a great stress reliever, helping the uer release pent-up aggression and frustration, making it a good option for those looking to improve their mental well-being.
Punch bags are relatively inexpensive and take up minimal space, making them a great option for those looking to create a home gym on a budget.
Kettlebells
If you’re looking to find the right gym equipment in terms of something that’s both space-saving but all-encompassing, then kettlebells might well be your thing. These are cast-iron weights resembling a cannonball with a handle, perfect for dynamic, full-body workouts. Unlike traditional dumbbells, the kettlebell’s centre of mass extends beyond your hand, creating more challenging movements that engage multiple muscle groups simultaneously. They’re brilliant for building functional strength, improving cardiovascular fitness and increasing flexibility.
Ideal for exercises like swings, Turkish get-ups and goblet squats, kettlebells provide an efficient workout in minimal time. Their compact size makes them easy to store, whilst their durability ensures they’ll be a long-lasting addition to your home gym. Consider investing in two or three kettlebells of varying weights to accommodate different exercises and progression levels.
A Lightweight Treadmill
A treadmill should be at the top of your list if you’re looking for a reliable and effective piece of home workout equipment. Treadmills are a fantastic way to improve cardiovascular fitness, burn calories and boost weight loss all while being in the comfort of your own home.
Using a treadmill is straightforward, you simply need to adjust the speed, incline, and duration of your workout to suit your fitness level and goals. You can start with a slow walk and gradually increase the intensity as you build up your stamina.
A treadmill is also a great option for those looking to mix up their routine. You can change your workout’s speed, incline, and duration, add intervals, high-intensity sprints, or even walk or run on an incline to target different muscle groups.
Investing in a treadmill for your home gym is a wise decision for anyone looking to improve their overall fitness, manage weight, and achieve their health goals.
With a treadmill, you’ll be able to get in a great workout whenever you want and never have to worry about the weather or if the gym is too crowded.
Affordable, acclaimed treadmills for home gyms include the Nordic Track EXP 14i and the Weslo Cadence G 5.9i Folding Treadmill.
An Exercise Bike
A stationary bike is an excellent piece of home exercise equipment and can be a great investment for anyone looking to improve their fitness and overall health.
One of the main advantages of having an exercise bike at home is the convenience it offers. You can use it at any time, fitting your workout into your schedule, and even use it to commute to work or run errands, increasing your daily physical activity.
Exercise bikes represent a low-impact form of exercise, putting less stress on your joints than activities such as running, making it a great option for people who have joint pain or injuries.
Additionally, they offer a great versatility, allowing you to do a wide range of activities such as leisurely rides, interval training, and hill climbs, allowing you to vary your workouts and target different areas of fitness.
Lastly, exercise bikes are inexpensive and require minimal maintenance, making them a cost-effective option for a home gym. To use a bike as a piece of home equipment, you can set it up in a comfortable and safe location, adjust the seat and handlebars to fit your body, and start pedalling.
As you feel comfortable, you can increase the intensity and use a bike trainer to convert your bike into a stationary bike or use indoor cycling apps for a more interactive workout experience.
A Smart Trainer
For a similar workout but with added motivation, a smart trainer is an indoor bike trainer that allows you to connect your bicycle to a computer or mobile device, train and ride in virtual environments, or follow pre-set workout plans.
To use a smart trainer, you’ll need to first connect it to your computer or mobile device via Bluetooth or ANT+ technology and then pair it with a training app or software such as Zwift, TrainerRoad, or The Sufferfest.
You can select a virtual course or workout plan from there and start riding. A smart trainer can be a great investment for home equipment because it allows you to get a high-quality indoor cycling workout, regardless of the weather or time of day.
It also offers a variety of workout options, including virtual rides, races, and training plans, which makes it more engaging and fun than traditional indoor cycling.
Additionally, smart trainers can provide accurate and detailed data on your performance, which can help you track your progress and adjust your training.
Adjustable Free Weights
If you’re looking for a versatile and effective piece of home workout equipment, adjustable free weights are an excellent choice.
These weights allow you to adjust the weight to suit your fitness level and can be used for exercises to target different muscle groups. They are a great option for those looking to build strength, tone their muscles and burn calories.
Adjustable free weights are incredibly easy to use; you can add or remove weight plates to change the weight of the dumbbells. And you can use them for exercises such as bicep curls, shoulder presses, tricep extensions, rows, lunges, and deadlifts.
This means you can work on your upper body, lower body, and core, all with one piece of equipment. Adjustable free weights are a great investment for anyone looking to improve their fitness and build strength from the comfort of their own home.
With adjustable free weights, the possibilities are endless, and the results will be undeniable. So, ladies, don’t wait any longer; invest in some adjustable free weights today and get ready to see the results for yourself!
Medicine Ball
A medicine ball is a weighted sphere that provides versatile resistance training for your whole body. The weighted ball allows you to perform explosive movements like throws and slams that engage your core, upper and lower body simultaneously. They’re particularly effective for rotational exercises that mimic everyday movements and sports-specific actions.
Medicine balls come in various weights, typically 1-10kg, making them suitable for all fitness levels. Their compact size requires minimal storage space, whilst their simple design makes them accessible for beginners. Use a medicine ball for Russian twists, wall throws or squat-to-presses to add variety and intensity to your home workout routine.
Pull-Up Bar
A door-mounted pull-up bar offers an exceptional upper body workout with minimal investment and space requirements. It targets your back, arms and core, helping to improve posture and upper body strength. Unlike many other pieces of equipment, a pull-up bar allows you to work against your entire body weight, making it highly effective for building functional strength.
Most models can be easily installed in standard doorframes without permanent fixtures, and many offer multiple grip positions to target different muscle groups. Beyond traditional pull-ups, you can use it for hanging leg raises, knee tucks and assisted bodyweight rows. For beginners, resistance bands can be attached to provide assistance until full pull-ups are achievable.
BOSU Ball
Are you looking to take your workout routine to the next level? Look no further than the BOSU ball! This incredible fitness equipment perfectly combines a stability ball and a flat platform, making it a versatile and effective tool for improving balance, coordination, core strength, and stability.
The possibilities are endless regarding exercises you can do with a BOSU ball. From lunges, push-ups, planks, and squats to adding an extra challenge to traditional exercises by performing them on the unstable surface of this ubiquitous, UFO-like piece of kit.
Investing in a BOSU ball for your home gym is an investment in yourself and your fitness journey. Not only is it versatile and can be used for a wide range of exercises, but it’s also easy to use and compact, making it easy to store and transport.
If you’re ready to take your workout routine to the next level and see real results, then a BOSU ball is a must-have for your home gym!
The Bottom Line
When choosing which equipment to invest in, it’s important to consider your personal fitness goals, budget, and the amount of space you have available.
With the right equipment and a consistent workout routine, you can achieve your fitness goals and improve your overall health and well-being from the comfort of your own home.
It’s one of life’s most defining, derailing moments; the realisation as you scrutinise yourself in the mirror that your once luscious locks are in decline. It happens to the best (and majority) of us. That’s not to say that realising you’re thinning up top should elicit a shrug of acceptance and the order of several stylish hats on Amazon.
Oh no. There are ways and means which you can deploy to have your hair looking as luxurious as possible, flowing and flourishing to its full potential and beyond. These are those; here’s how to keep your hair fuller and healthier for longer.
Get To The Root Of The Problem
Ever get the feeling that we’re all linked, intimately and inextricably? Yep, the same could be said for your body, mind and soul. Nope, we’re not going to go all new age hippy on you and recommend a course of microdosing foraged berries. Although, come to think of it, that wouldn’t do any harm.
Instead, what we’re trying to say is that what you put into your body, and how you look after your mind, has a distinct effect on the way you look.
Indeed, your hair is an outward sign of inside health; stress, a poor diet, hormonal changes – all of these things can trigger hair thinning and loss. Strong, full hair has long been seen as a sign of fertility, youth, vitality, and good health. Getting to the root of the problem, and following a prevention rather than cure mantra, is the most effective path to fuller hair.
This all starts with your diet. The cells that make up every single strand of hair need nourishment. Though, of course, you should endeavour to eat a nutrient rich diet full of diverse proteins, vitamins and minerals for best results all over the body, it’s said that protein rich foods like chicken, eggs, broccoli, cheese and nuts are particularly beneficial for your hair.
Take Care Of Your Hair
Without wishing the reiterate it, we’ve noticed some of you weren’t listening at the back, so repeat we shall; prevention is better than cure. You’re never going to have fuller looking hair if you don’t take care of it in the first place. Once it begins to thin, there are few options left to get your hair looking thick and full again. Better to take care of it to prevent thinning occurring.
Heat is hair’s worst enemy. However many of us (IDEAL included) can’t imagine life without our hair straighteners and curling tongs, it’s sensible to use them less, and at a lower temperature if possible, to avoid damaging your hair.
You should also try to minimise rough, enthusiastic towel drying, which can destroy the hair’s cuticles. In terms of products, use a thickening or volumising shampoo and conditioner – these usually contain fewer ingredients so don’t weigh the hair down as much. Some consider supplements, too; B Vitamins and zinc, in particular, are thought to stimulate hair follicle health.
Give The Illusion Of Heft With Dye
Yes, hairdressers are magicians, so skilled with the scissors and small talk, equally. Turn to them with a request for a fuller head of hair, and they may well be able to grant your wish.
In particular, ask your hairdresser for thickening highlight’s, which give that illusion of heft and fullness that we’re looking for here. Highlighting hair adds the look of depth to strands, giving dimension and lusciousness where single toned hair would otherwise tend to fall flat.
Another trick is to keep the roots of your hair a darker shade to the rest of your locks. This helps the hair look fuller and solid at the scalp. Also, the more of your scalp you see, the thinner your hair will look. You can fill it in with a colouring spray; here at IDEAL we’re huge fans of Bumble and Bumble Hair Powder.
Consider A Treatment Or Transplant
Though it might sound drastic at first, hair transplants are actually becoming increasingly common (and as a result, more affordable), particularly in young men who are suffering from hereditary or male pattern baldness.
Of course, undergoing any kind of procedure is not a decision to be taken lightly, and it should be noted that a person loses on average 100 strands of hair a day. Some hair loss, then, is inevitable and occurs every day and to everyone, but if it’s affecting your self-esteem markedly and you’ve exhausted preventative measures, then a hair transplant could be for you.
One of the most common procedures is the FUE technique – which uses existing healthy hair from a donor site on the scalp to restore fullness to other parts of the head – is the most effective, comprehensive procedure currently available, leaving no linear scarring or stitches and the most natural look.
If this sounds like something you’re seeking, do make sure you do your due diligence regarding your hair transplant practitioner prior to and during a consultation (more of that in a moment). Be aware of hair transplant side effects, too, which can include swelling, pain, and discomfort in the days following the procedure, temporary numbness in the treated areas, infection (though rare when performed by qualified practitioners), bleeding, scarring (minimal with FUE compared to older techniques), shock loss (temporary shedding of transplanted hair), and in some cases, suboptimal aesthetic results if the procedure isn’t properly planned or executed.
UK Regulation and Accreditation
In the UK, hair transplant surgery is regulated as a medical procedure, though the landscape has some important considerations:
Care Quality Commission (CQC): Any clinic offering hair transplants should be registered with the CQC, which regulates all healthcare services in England. You can check a clinic’s registration on the CQC website.
General Medical Council Registration: The surgeon performing your procedure should be registered with the GMC. Ideally, they should also be on the Specialist Register in a relevant field such as plastic surgery or dermatology.
Professional Associations: Look for memberships in respected organizations such as:
Qualifications: The surgeon should have specific training and experience in hair transplantation. Don’t hesitate to ask about their qualifications and how many similar procedures they’ve performed.
Consultation Process: A reputable clinic will offer a thorough consultation before any procedure, discussing your medical history, expectations, and potential outcomes. Be wary of clinics that rush this process or pressure you into making a decision.
Red Flags: Be cautious of clinics that offer significantly lower prices than the market average, guarantee specific results, or use high-pressure sales tactics. These could indicate substandard care or unrealistic promises.
Overseas Clinics: Many UK residents travel abroad for hair transplants due to lower costs. If considering this route, research is even more crucial. Look for international accreditation and be aware that follow-up care might be challenging if complications arise after returning home.
Before committing to any procedure, request to see before-and-after photos of previous patients, ideally with similar hair types and patterns to your own. Consider seeking multiple consultations to compare approaches and build confidence in your final decision.
Or, Simply Use Some Stylist’s Tricks
If a hair transplant isn’t right for you, feels a little too drastic or a lot too expensive, then there are plenty of tricks used by stylists which you could consider for making your hair appear thicker:
Short cuts are best: Thin or fine hair can look stringy and appear even thinner because it’s weighed down. So opt for short or shoulder length hair to give the allusion of lusciousness.
Dry shampoo saviour: For instant volume, spray some dry shampoo along on your roots, immediately creating volume. And if you’re brunette, consider using a tinted brown dry shampoo instead of the traditional white.
It’s all about the volume: There are plenty of volumising and thickening products on the market which can give your locks a lift.
Extend it: Turn a negative into a positive. Hair extensions are another way to draw attention away from thinning hair and onto your flowing locks instead.
The Bottom Line
Though our hair certainly isn’t who we are, its fullness or lack thereof can have an impact on our self-confidence. If yours is something you care about, it pays to take preventative measures to ensure your locks stay luscious for longer.
They say variety is the spice of life, right? And with so much of that life spent chained to the office desk, those precious 28 days of annual leave need to be spent embracing the broadest range of destinations and activities possible.
Perhaps nowhere on the planet encapsulates life’s rich tapestry, of adventure, activity, landscape and leisure like Costa Rica, the jewel in Central America’s crown. If you’re intent on making the Rich Coast your next holiday, then we’ve got just the idea for the most varied and exciting itinerary imaginable. This is it; our 9 must visit places in Costa Rica, IDEAL for your next family wildlife holiday.
Jaco Beach
Given its proximity to the capital, San Jose (more on that later), Jaco has recently become a hot-spot for tourist and property buyers alike, with a booming retail market and a hospitality sector that’s simply thriving. With a dreamy beach town vibe and plenty of well-appointed resorts in Jaco Beach itself, as well as waterfalls, national parks and natural attractions just minutes away from the town’s centre, you could focus a whole holiday here quite comfortably.
Indeed, Costa Rica boasts over 300 beaches, divided between its Caribbean and Pacific sides, and Jaco Beach on the Pacific coast is one of very finest stretches of sand in a country full of them.
Jaco is an exposed beach; in other words, there’s always a wave to catch, making it a great spot surfing. Beginners will find the conditions particularly agreeable, as the breaks are relatively small and soft. As such, there are lots of surfing schools offering lessons here, making Jaco the ideal spot for family wildlife holidays with an adventurous spirit at their core.
Jaco Beach also boasts a buoyant dining scene. Seafood is the star in the local eateries here, with some of the best places to eat in Jaco including El Barco de los mariscos, Soda Jaco Rustico, Soda Garabito and Pachi’s Pan. We’re hungry just thinking about it.
Tortuguero National Park
For a truly unique wildlife experience, Tortuguero National Park is a must-visit. Accessible only by boat or plane, this remote park is a sanctuary for nesting sea turtles. The name Tortuguero means ‘Land of Turtles’, and it lives up to its name with the beaches here being key nesting sites for four different species of sea turtle. The park also offers a network of scenic canals, teeming with diverse wildlife such as monkeys, sloths, and numerous bird species. Exploring these waterways by boat provides an intimate glimpse into the lives of the creatures that inhabit this lush rainforest.
Corcovado National Park
Corcovado National Park on the Osa Peninsula is often referred to as the crown jewel of Costa Rica’s national parks. It’s one of the most biodiverse places on earth, offering families the chance to see an incredible array of wildlife in their natural habitat. From the elusive jaguar and tapirs to scarlet macaws and squirrel monkeys, the park’s rich ecosystems are a treasure trove for nature enthusiasts. Guided hikes are the best way to explore, with knowledgeable guides who can help spot and educate about the park’s inhabitants.
Choosing the best beach in Costa Rica is one tall ask; the country is blessed with nearly a thousand miles of coastline and a stunning variety of beaches to boot. So instead, we’ll point you in the direction of Samara, a super groovy village ideal for kicking back, hanging out and enjoying that Costa Rican low and languid way of doing things. It just so happens to boast an incredible beach, too.
Less touched by tourism than much of the Northern Pacific Coast of the country, Samara has a more ‘authentic’ feel, with the downtown offering hip restaurants and bars whilst still maintaining its Tico soul. The main beach, Playa Samara and the nearby Playa Carillo are as idyllic as they come, with palm trees abundant, calm waters and a coral reef just offshore catering to snorkelling enthusiasts. Take us back.
Arenal
Beach? Check. Now, it’s time to explore the country’s amazing landscapes a little further. 90km northwest of capital city San Jose lies the active Arenal Volcano and its surrounding national park, complete with a jungle, hot springs, a waterfall, lake and all the adventure activities you’d expect from such a diversity of landscape.
You’ll want to head for the town of La Fortuna first, which acts as the gateway to the National Park. Even though it primarily caters to tourists, the backdrop of Arenal Volcano towering over the town is jaw-dropping, to say the least, and worth the visit alone.
In the National Park itself, you can go on several trails and hikes which pass through lava fields, and those brave enough to get a little closer will, at night, still see lava flowing down the volcano’s sides. Fear not, the park is well patrolled and the volcano monitored by expert wardens; should an eruption be imminent, the National Park will be closed for everyone’s safety. An absolute must-visit on anyone’s Costa Rican itinerary, this one.
Manuel Antonio
We’re heading south now, and to the Central Pacific coast, to another national park with a whole different soul. Parque Nacional Manuel Antonio boasts some of the world’s richest and most varied (there’s that word again) biodiversity, with three stunning beaches, a rainforest and abundant, exotic wildlife, flora and fauna. White faced monkeys and sloths are perhaps the park’s most famous residents, though you’ll also see pacas, anteaters, parrots, crocodiles, iguanas and many more creatures besides.
Though entry to the park will only set you back around £10, a guided tour of Manuel Antonio is highly recommended if you’re to catch a glimpse of all those animals. Overnight accommodation isn’t available within the park, but nearby town Quepos is just a ten-minute drive. The coast also boasts plenty of resorts.
San Jose
The city of San Jose, Costa Rica’s capital, is one so often overlooked. With a reputation for the hectic, loud and sometimes lawless, trepid travellers tend to be in and out as quickly as possible, fixated on reaching the Central American country’s famed jungles and beaches in record time. But to do so is to miss out on a vibrant, hip city with an undeniable energy, warm, hospitable people and fantastic food.
While here, make sure you check out the Pre-Columbian Gold Museum, which contains artefacts harking back over 1500 years, including the country’s first ever coin. The National Theatre is also well worth a visit, particularly for its lavish ceiling murals and Beethoven statue.
And it’s in the capital that you’ll find some of the finest food in the country, too. Number one on that list is most certainly La Sorbetera, in the city’s Central Market, which produces some of the world’s best vanilla ice cream, using local vanilla beans. Oh yes. The Barrio Escalante neighbourhood has got you covered on the savoury stuff, housing some superb restaurants doing contemporary takes on traditional Tico cuisine.
But you’re here for the family wildlife angle, right? While San Jose may seem like an unlikely place to connect with wildlife, but it offers some hidden gems for nature lovers. The Spirogyra Butterfly Garden is an oasis in the heart of the city, providing a peaceful environment to observe butterflies in a beautiful garden setting.
Additionally, the Simon Bolivar Zoo and Botanical Garden offers a chance to see more of Costa Rica’s native species, including rescued wildlife. While the city pulses with culture and history, these pockets of nature offer a tranquil retreat and a chance to appreciate the country’s diverse fauna before venturing into the wilder parts of Costa Rica.
Monteverde
Next up, Monteverde. Again, this one’s a little different; the Cloud Forest Reserve has an ever present, mystical mist (must resist the urge to combine those words) hanging over it, and the cloud forest itself is one of the world’s rarest habitats. Well, we did say this country was pretty astounding, right?
Ecotourism is the name of the game here, and visitors flock to these 26’000 acres to check out the lush, ever changing landscape. Particularly well trodden are the Selvatura treetop suspension bridges, which take you above the forests and clouds, granting perspective on the majesty of the reserve. From above you’ll enjoy bird watching on a scale almost impossible to describe; this one needs to be seen to be believed. And if that’s not enough, the Monteverde Butterfly Gardens and Orchid House are also essential visits.
Cahuita National Park
If you’ve still got the energy for one last place, then it’s got to be Cahuita National Park, located on the Caribbean coast and a paradise for those who love both marine and terrestrial wildlife. The park is home to one of the most beautiful and accessible coral reefs in Costa Rica, where snorkelling alongside tropical fish and colourful coral is a magical experience. On land, the park’s trails allow visitors to encounter a variety of animals such as raccoons, coatis, capuchin monkeys, and a plethora of bird species, all within the stunning backdrop of white sandy beaches and coconut palms.
We promised variety, right? It’s safe to say that Costa Rica has it all.
Muscle and joint pain can be a significant hindrance to daily life, making even simple tasks seem daunting. Whether it’s due to a chronic condition, overexertion, or the natural aging process, finding ways to stay active while managing discomfort is crucial. Exercise, counterintuitive as it may seem, can be a potent remedy.
But not just any exercise will do; it’s about choosing the right type and intensity to help alleviate pain rather than exacerbate it. With that in mind, here are some gentle yet effective exercises designed to keep you moving and reduce muscle and joint pain.
Water Workouts: Buoyancy For Better Movement
Aquatic exercises are a godsend for those with joint and muscle pain. The water’s buoyancy reduces the impact on joints, making movements smoother and less painful. Try these water-based activities:
Aqua Jogging: Mimic the motion of running in the shallow end of the pool. The water resistance adds a gentle strength component without the harsh impact of traditional jogging.
Water Aerobics: Join a class or follow a video at home. The rhythmic movements improve joint flexibility and can be tailored to your comfort level.
Swimming: Opt for strokes that feel comfortable and keep your movements smooth. The backstroke and breaststroke are often recommended for those with joint issues.
Stretching: The Foundation Of Flexibility
Stretching is essential for maintaining flexibility and can provide relief from muscle tightness and joint pain. Focus on gentle stretches, holding each for 15-30 seconds:
Yoga: Gentle yoga styles like Hatha or Iyengar can increase flexibility and strength with minimal stress on the joints.
Tai Chi: This ancient martial art promotes balance, flexibility, and calm, with slow, flowing movements that are perfect for all fitness levels.
Dynamic Stretching: Incorporate slow, controlled leg swings, arm swings, and torso twists to warm up your muscles and joints before engaging in more strenuous activities.
Strength Training: Building Supportive Muscles
Strengthening the muscles around painful joints can provide better support and reduce pain. Use light weights or resistance bands, and focus on high repetitions with low resistance:
Leg Lifts: Great for strengthening the thigh muscles, which support the knees.
Arm Curls: Using light dumbbells or a resistance band, these can help strengthen the biceps and improve elbow joint stability.
Wall Push-Ups: A less intense version of traditional push-ups that can help build shoulder and chest strength without putting too much pressure on the wrists and elbows.
Low-Impact Cardio: Keep The Heart Pumping
Cardiovascular exercise is important for overall health but can be challenging with muscle and joint pain. Low-impact options can get your heart rate up without the harsh impact:
Walking: Perhaps the simplest form of exercise, walking can be easily adjusted to your comfort level. Use walking poles for added stability and upper body engagement.
Cycling: Stationary or outdoor cycling is gentle on the joints, especially the knees and hips, while providing a good aerobic workout.
Elliptical Trainer: This machine offers a good cardio workout with minimal joint stress, as the feet never leave the pedals.
Pilates: Core Strength & Stability
Pilates focuses on controlled movements that strengthen the core muscles, which are vital for supporting the spine and maintaining good posture:
The Hundred: A breathing exercise that also works the core and improves circulation.
Pelvic Tilts: These can help strengthen abdominal muscles and relieve lower back pain.
Leg Circles: A low-impact way to strengthen the hips and improve range of motion.
Isometric Exercises: Strength Without Movement
Isometric exercises involve contracting your muscles without visible movement of the joint. As Toc Docs, an orthopedic clinic in Knoxville, TN, tell us, these exercises can be particularly beneficial for those with joint pain, as they allow for muscle engagement without straining the joints:
Wall Sits: Stand with your back against a wall, then slide down into a seated position with your knees at a 90-degree angle. Hold this position for 20-30 seconds. This exercise strengthens the quadriceps without putting pressure on the knees.
Planks: Lie face down, then lift your body so you’re supported by your forearms and toes, keeping your body in a straight line. Hold this position for as long as you can maintain good form. Planks are excellent for building core strength, which can help alleviate lower back pain and even combat heart disease.
Balance Training: Stability & Coordination
Improving your balance can reduce the risk of falls and the subsequent strain on your muscles and joints. Balance exercises can also strengthen the muscles that help stabilise your joints:
Heel-to-Toe Walk: Place the heel of one foot just in front of the toes of the opposite foot each time you take a step. Your heel and toes should touch or almost touch. Focus on a spot ahead of you to keep steady as you walk 20 steps.
Single-Leg Stands: Stand on one leg while holding onto a sturdy chair or counter if needed. Hold the position for 10-30 seconds, then switch to the other leg. This exercise strengthens the leg muscles and engages the core, improving overall stability.
Some Simple Pointers For Exercising With Muscle & Joint Pain
Warm-Up Properly: Always start with a gentle warm-up to prepare your muscles and joints for exercise.
Listen to Your Body: If an exercise causes pain, stop immediately. Pain is a signal from your body to take it easy.
Stay Consistent: Regular, gentle exercise can help reduce pain over time, but it’s important to be consistent.
Cool Down: Finish your workout with a cool-down period and some additional stretching to prevent stiffness.
Consult a Professional: Before starting any new exercise regimen, especially if you have chronic pain, consult with a healthcare provider or a physical therapist. This is particularly important for individuals with specific inflammatory conditions like rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, non-radiographic axial spondyloarthritis, or fibromyalgia, where exercise programs may need to be carefully tailored to address both pain management and disease-specific symptoms.
The Bottom Line
Incorporating these exercises into your routine can help you manage muscle and joint pain more effectively. As with any exercise program, it’s important to start slowly and increase the intensity and duration of your workouts gradually.
Always consult with a healthcare professional before beginning any new exercise regimen, especially if you have an existing health condition or experience chronic pain. With the right approach, exercise can be a valuable tool in managing pain and improving your quality of life.
