BLOGLIFE
MIND
Are you tired of always feeling tired? We got you.
Last month Sara chatted with Dr Claire Gillvray as part of our Feel Good Festival and got tonnes of info to help people sleep better. If you missed the chat it's still available on our page but we've covered the main points here.
During a real-life class or event you have accountability meaning you will push yourself further because you’ve got other people cheering you on, panting away with you orrrr you just don’t want to be the one in the class that gives up. You also get direct & immediate feedback, you can ask questions easily and you’ll be spotted nice and quickly if your technique is off. You’re waaaaay more focused because you’re not in your house full of screaming children, farting dogs or that heap of washing you promised yourself you would sort out this morning. And let’s not forget you’d be surrounded by other sweaty bodies, moving in sync.
Whether you’re a spiritual warrior or a novice on the mat, you will have at some point been encouraged to think about your intentions during a yoga session. Our lovely yogi, Lucy Hibben from YogaStrong & Cognitive Sports Therapy, has shared with us some helpful hints to ensure you gain clarity around this subject & pick the best intention that works for you, your practice and your daily life.
Do you know what happens to the human body when it has a surge of adenaline for a period of time?
It burns out. Quite literally.
It’s as if you have a full tank of petrol (your body’s entire adenaline bank) then use it all up in one five minute journey (preparing for an event or restructuring your entire business/home life). What would happen to the car? It would rapidly give up, exhausted & drained, spluttering it’s last drop of fuel as it tried to go a few extra metres but eventually it’s going to grind to a halt.
That’s us. And it might be you too.
How many of us spend our lives wrapped up in a feeling of guilt? I don’t mean guilt from committing a heinous crime or stealing 50p from your sister’s bedroom while growing up… I mean the guilt that we put on ourselves every day.
Guilt for not spending enough time with people.
Guilt for not doing enough for the environment.
Guilt for needing a break from your kids.
The list is LITERALLY ENDLESS.
Breath is life. It is the heart and soul of who we are and is our constant companion throughout our lives. When we are born the very first thing we do is inhale and that, my sweet friends, signifies the beginning of it all. Despite our breath being the very source of life, most of the time, we don’t give much thought to they way we breathe. When was the last time you asked yourself, “how does it feel to breathe today”?
Remember that we’re all operating within a slightly altered state of who we were previously. Depending on who you are and what you do,you may have spent a big chunk of time without the things or people that make you feel like ‘you’. So take a deep breath, be patient with yourself and just know that you can build yourself back up again. It might take a little while but you’ll get there.
Don’t rush it. You do you.
A few years ago I finally voiced something I’d been thinking for a long time. Once a week I would teach a particularly busy evening of dance classes, various energetic sessions back to back. Some weeks I would sail through them, feeling pumped & energised even on the way home. But most of the time I would feel like I was having to drag myself through the last few and the walk home could sometimes feel like a glorified crawl.
It struck me that it seemed it was only one week in every four that I could really handle it. Firstly, that’s unfair. And secondly, WHY?!
Okay so what happens every 4 weeks… Oh yeah. My period.
If you ask anyone I know they will tell you I am not very good at making my mind up and this was no different when I was trying to decide what I wanted to study at university way back when. I visited a number of universities and looked at all sorts of courses ranging from maths to history, I even started writing applications to drama school. Some would probably describe me as confused. I am going to describe myself as intrigued…about a lot of things.
I would find joy in being hungry, the stronger the pangs in my tummy got the more I could visualise the fat simply melting away. Little did I know I was generating panic throughout my cells and causing my body to cling on for dear life to any drop of calories it got. I would gawk at pictures of emaciated models and listen with glee when people talked about experiences of anorexia, as if aspiring to one day be that committed.
It sounds crazy now but it wasn’t at the time. And it wasn’t for a long time after, I’m talking years.
According to psychologists, exposure to nature helps us shrug off societal pressures, allowing us to remember and value more important things like relationships, sharing, and community.
I mean… do we need to say more?!
Years ago my therapist took me through an exercise when I was in a particularly low period. She made me draw on a piece of paper the different boxes of my life and how much space they took up. As in; one huge whopping box for work that takes up most of the page and then a few small boxes around the edge for my diminishing social life etc. Then she asked me to draw another one for how I wanted my life to look. It was pretty different.
Picture the scene (entirely hypothetical,of course):
You go to make yourself a tasty snack of peanut butter on toast. Upon opening the cupboard you find the last of the peanut butter has been used but the empty jar has been put back in it's usual place and no one has notified you that it's gone. Even though you use it every day. Every. Single Day.
Please bin the theory of ‘weight-loss’ right now. Muscle weighs more than fat; so as you get fitter there is a high chance you will transform body fat into muscle and therefore there’s actually a chance your weight will INCREASE. Heaven forbid. The idea of weight being the holy grail of health is extremely outdated. When you really think about it - it’s an odd thing to obsess over, why does it matter how heavy or light you are? Unless you’re being smuggled on an Easyjet flight in someone’s luggage, it doesn’t bloody matter.
I can only speak for myself here but it seems a few others are feeling the same, we seem to be coping with isolation by further isolating ourselves in a little bubble of blissful ignorance. Merrily pottering around the house & enjoying hobbies we never had time for until now. We can cope with life if we only have to manage our own.
BODY
If you've ever experienced the joy of tossing and turning in bed because your back feels like a grumpy bear, this post is your silver lining.
We're diving into the world of exercises that can help you bid adieu to that nagging back pain. So, put on your comfy workout gear and let's get cracking!
So, you’ve decided to really take charge of your health. Maybe you’ve done some research on food and started planning ahead with your meals, perhaps you’re taking vitamin supplements and even restricting screen time - opting for books over Twitter at bed time. Strong move!
Next up… Exercise. These days there are so many options for starting up your fitness journey and as we’ve mentioned before it is absolutely KEY for you to find something you actually enjoy, otherwise you just won’t keep it up in the long term.
And you’ve landed on either joining a gym or a local studio… Allow us to give you an honest review of the pros (and cons) of both options…
We only get one spine so it’s really important to look after it. As we get older, we loose so much mobility in our backs and we become stiff and sore and sometimes end up living with daily back pain or discomfort.
Lucy will be be running a Gravity Yoga Masterclass on Saturday 19th June at FRESH. where you will learn simple techniques to improve the mobility of your whole body, including your spine.
So far this year I’ve already seen:
‘SLIM DOWN FOR SUMMER’
‘GET BEACH READY: THE ULTIMATE SHRED’
‘GET YOUR BIKINI BODY IN 30 DAYS’
All of which were accompanied by a photo of a sweaty, tanned, pumped up ‘fitness professional’ (read: model).
WHY DOES IT MATTER THAT YOU ARE SKINNY IN THE SUMMER BUT THEN FEEL CRAPPY/LAZY/TIRED THE REST OF THE YEAR?! YOU’RE NOT MAKING ANY SENSE.
So then… What’s the solution? How should we approach seasonal switches with a positive impact for change?
There is one life event all women experience and it’s something you don’t forget. The average age for young girls to get their first period is 12. Quite likely (and if you’re abit unfortunate on your timings) you’ll be at school, so the school nurse gives you a sanitary pad or tampon and sends you on your way.
And that is it.
After that you start to know the drill, pick the product that suits you best or that society tells you is the best and for the next 40+ years you all set. So whats the problem?
During a real-life class or event you have accountability meaning you will push yourself further because you’ve got other people cheering you on, panting away with you orrrr you just don’t want to be the one in the class that gives up. You also get direct & immediate feedback, you can ask questions easily and you’ll be spotted nice and quickly if your technique is off. You’re waaaaay more focused because you’re not in your house full of screaming children, farting dogs or that heap of washing you promised yourself you would sort out this morning. And let’s not forget you’d be surrounded by other sweaty bodies, moving in sync.
Meet Jane, our southern hemisphere representative. A registered nurse who’s literally seen and been through it ALL. She has been a runner for 34 years and along her fitness journey has smashed 3 marathons (2 in New Zealand & 1 New York), 19 (yep you heard) half marathons and 3 mountain runs… oh and did we mention she’s a Mum of 4?!
A true, real life superhero who has kindly shared her story with us on restarting her fitness journey after giving birth to her first son. A great tale from an even greater lady so we highly advise you read on…
Breath is life. It is the heart and soul of who we are and is our constant companion throughout our lives. When we are born the very first thing we do is inhale and that, my sweet friends, signifies the beginning of it all. Despite our breath being the very source of life, most of the time, we don’t give much thought to they way we breathe. When was the last time you asked yourself, “how does it feel to breathe today”?
A few years ago I finally voiced something I’d been thinking for a long time. Once a week I would teach a particularly busy evening of dance classes, various energetic sessions back to back. Some weeks I would sail through them, feeling pumped & energised even on the way home. But most of the time I would feel like I was having to drag myself through the last few and the walk home could sometimes feel like a glorified crawl.
It struck me that it seemed it was only one week in every four that I could really handle it. Firstly, that’s unfair. And secondly, WHY?!
Okay so what happens every 4 weeks… Oh yeah. My period.
If you ask anyone I know they will tell you I am not very good at making my mind up and this was no different when I was trying to decide what I wanted to study at university way back when. I visited a number of universities and looked at all sorts of courses ranging from maths to history, I even started writing applications to drama school. Some would probably describe me as confused. I am going to describe myself as intrigued…about a lot of things.
According to psychologists, exposure to nature helps us shrug off societal pressures, allowing us to remember and value more important things like relationships, sharing, and community.
I mean… do we need to say more?!
Let’s face it, YouTube is epic… We have free access to BILLIONS of videos in pretty much every genre and subject you can imagine, from the (very) weird to the wonderful. Plus it’s a fantastic arrangement for influencers & vloggers; they heroically & selflessly provide the world with ‘free’ content whilst stacking up the cash their ad revenue generates on every single click. 🐸☕
And whilst it’s a bit of a novelty having Joe Wicks putting you through your paces at 9am in your own house, there is still something missing.
Please bin the theory of ‘weight-loss’ right now. Muscle weighs more than fat; so as you get fitter there is a high chance you will transform body fat into muscle and therefore there’s actually a chance your weight will INCREASE. Heaven forbid. The idea of weight being the holy grail of health is extremely outdated. When you really think about it - it’s an odd thing to obsess over, why does it matter how heavy or light you are? Unless you’re being smuggled on an Easyjet flight in someone’s luggage, it doesn’t bloody matter.
Okay, so you walk into a studio (either in real life or virtually) and you’re presented by a list of classes: HIIT, POWERMAX, PIYO, FUNCTIONAL FITNESS, FLEXITONE… What the…? People casually stroll past you and book themselves into whichever arrangement of letters they like best and trot off to the studio while you stand there baffled by the difference between BOUNCE fit and ((BOUNCE)). Does one of those use trampolines or?!
WELL FEAR NO MORE, FRIEND. We’re here to clear up the confusion and tell you exactly which class does what.
SOUL
Using the correct pronouns for someone is a simple yet powerful way to show respect for their identity and experiences. It's about recognizing and validating who they are. Imagine someone referring to you with the wrong name constantly. It would feel awkward, frustrating, and even hurtful.
Now think about that, but instead of names, it's pronouns. When we use incorrect pronouns, we unintentionally contribute to an environment where people might feel misunderstood or invisible.
Now, I get it—learning to use new pronouns can feel a bit like learning a new language. But remember, it's all about the effort you put in. If you make a mistake, don't panic! Apologize, correct yourself, and move forward. It's all part of the learning process. The more you practice, the more natural it becomes.
Have you noticed how people often refer to someone’s race, gender, sexual orientation, nationality or disability when it actually has no relevance to the story they’re telling or information they’re giving? We’ve all done it.
Next time you go to describe someone within a story check what details actually need to be mentioned. Yes they may have been Brazilian but does their nationality have any relevance to what you’re saying? Do you need to mention the person was in a wheelchair? Or are you stuck inside a conditioning that sees these characteristics as more defining than someone’s actual character?
There is a myth around adopting animals, particularly dogs, that you just ‘don’t know what you’re going to get’ and that getting a puppy from a breeder means you can pick the exact dog you want along with all the characteristics that will be most appropriate for your life. Well, I have some news for you… That is absolute rubbish.
Dogs are beautiful, idiotic, smart, playful, unpredictable creatures. Just because you have a certificate from someone that you paid more than your car is worth to farm you a puppy… Nothing is a guarantee. Whether you buy from a ‘breeder’ or rehome from a shelter; dogs can develop illnesses, they can learn bad behaviours, they can just naturally be a bit loopy, they can suffer trauma. No amount of money, family trees or shiny gold stars change that.
There is one life event all women experience and it’s something you don’t forget. The average age for young girls to get their first period is 12. Quite likely (and if you’re abit unfortunate on your timings) you’ll be at school, so the school nurse gives you a sanitary pad or tampon and sends you on your way.
And that is it.
After that you start to know the drill, pick the product that suits you best or that society tells you is the best and for the next 40+ years you all set. So whats the problem?
According to psychologists, exposure to nature helps us shrug off societal pressures, allowing us to remember and value more important things like relationships, sharing, and community.
I mean… do we need to say more?!
With the lockdown rules relaxing a little more each month, and the shops/restaurants slowly beginning to trickle open, we want to highlight the real heroes of our local area. Yes the big chains might entice you with a large menu and fancy marketing BUT the most important stores to support right now are the ones owned and run by your neighbours. By the people who make up your community. That’s where you should be splashing your cash. Not to be bossy but… it’s true.
FOOD
This week we asked our resident foodie to share one of his favourite summery recipes. As we devoured this salad on week one of FRESH. Kitchen we can vouch for it’s OUTRAGEOUS TASTINESS! Give Dave a follow on Instagram for regular inspo & health related topics!
I would find joy in being hungry, the stronger the pangs in my tummy got the more I could visualise the fat simply melting away. Little did I know I was generating panic throughout my cells and causing my body to cling on for dear life to any drop of calories it got. I would gawk at pictures of emaciated models and listen with glee when people talked about experiences of anorexia, as if aspiring to one day be that committed.
It sounds crazy now but it wasn’t at the time. And it wasn’t for a long time after, I’m talking years.
COMMUNITY
Using the correct pronouns for someone is a simple yet powerful way to show respect for their identity and experiences. It's about recognizing and validating who they are. Imagine someone referring to you with the wrong name constantly. It would feel awkward, frustrating, and even hurtful.
Now think about that, but instead of names, it's pronouns. When we use incorrect pronouns, we unintentionally contribute to an environment where people might feel misunderstood or invisible.
Now, I get it—learning to use new pronouns can feel a bit like learning a new language. But remember, it's all about the effort you put in. If you make a mistake, don't panic! Apologize, correct yourself, and move forward. It's all part of the learning process. The more you practice, the more natural it becomes.
So, you’ve decided to really take charge of your health. Maybe you’ve done some research on food and started planning ahead with your meals, perhaps you’re taking vitamin supplements and even restricting screen time - opting for books over Twitter at bed time. Strong move!
Next up… Exercise. These days there are so many options for starting up your fitness journey and as we’ve mentioned before it is absolutely KEY for you to find something you actually enjoy, otherwise you just won’t keep it up in the long term.
And you’ve landed on either joining a gym or a local studio… Allow us to give you an honest review of the pros (and cons) of both options…
With the lockdown rules relaxing a little more each month, and the shops/restaurants slowly beginning to trickle open, we want to highlight the real heroes of our local area. Yes the big chains might entice you with a large menu and fancy marketing BUT the most important stores to support right now are the ones owned and run by your neighbours. By the people who make up your community. That’s where you should be splashing your cash. Not to be bossy but… it’s true.
Whether you’ve known us for years or you’ve only just taken your first FRESH. class, you may not know the backstory behind our collaboration and why these two gal pals ended up prancing around together. Well let me take a minute, just sit right there…
GUEST WRITERS
Whether you’re a spiritual warrior or a novice on the mat, you will have at some point been encouraged to think about your intentions during a yoga session. Our lovely yogi, Lucy Hibben from YogaStrong & Cognitive Sports Therapy, has shared with us some helpful hints to ensure you gain clarity around this subject & pick the best intention that works for you, your practice and your daily life.
Meet Jane, our southern hemisphere representative. A registered nurse who’s literally seen and been through it ALL. She has been a runner for 34 years and along her fitness journey has smashed 3 marathons (2 in New Zealand & 1 New York), 19 (yep you heard) half marathons and 3 mountain runs… oh and did we mention she’s a Mum of 4?!
A true, real life superhero who has kindly shared her story with us on restarting her fitness journey after giving birth to her first son. A great tale from an even greater lady so we highly advise you read on…
Breath is life. It is the heart and soul of who we are and is our constant companion throughout our lives. When we are born the very first thing we do is inhale and that, my sweet friends, signifies the beginning of it all. Despite our breath being the very source of life, most of the time, we don’t give much thought to they way we breathe. When was the last time you asked yourself, “how does it feel to breathe today”?
If you ask anyone I know they will tell you I am not very good at making my mind up and this was no different when I was trying to decide what I wanted to study at university way back when. I visited a number of universities and looked at all sorts of courses ranging from maths to history, I even started writing applications to drama school. Some would probably describe me as confused. I am going to describe myself as intrigued…about a lot of things.
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It’s well documented that the last year has been tough for everyone. People who had never before experienced issues with their mental health developed problems such as anxiety, depression, paranoia & agoraphobia. Those of us with existing conditions had their symptoms exacerbated.
Shockingly, there has been such a rise in emergency mental health situations that support teams have already attended more crisis call outs this year than in the whole of 2020.
Which is why it is so crucial that people are aware of ways to support someone going through one of these episodes.