Stress free holiday design

Holidays are supposed to be an opportunity to rest and get away from it all. But how often do you get back needing a holiday from your holiday?

Try my tried and tested top five tips to make sure you relax straight into the chilled out mood and make the most of your downtime.

1. A list of what you fancy

Packing lists are a great way to make sure that everything makes it into the bags.

If there’s time, make one for every member of the family. It’s a great way to share the load and even the kids get into good habits by ticking off what they’ve put in their bag. Short on time? Try one of these packing checklists.

2. Roll? Bag? Bundle?

Where do you start? You’ll be packing like a pro after watching these tips by air stewards. It’s a little more than two minutes long, so maybe have your brew at the same time.

3. Hydrate well.

Take fruit and a water bottle with you, to stay hydrated en route. Free water is available at most service stations and airports, so you can top up after you’ve been through security and save yourself some pennies.

Still overheating? Invest in a simple hand help fan and pack a hat. Discover more tips for topping up hydration.

4. Rest stops and exercise

Travelling by car? Make sure you stop regularly to rest your eyes, do a few stretches, snack and rehydrate.

If you’re flying, make time for your ‘at seat’ exercises. Do the foot pump to help your lymphatic system: point your toes away from you and then back towards your leg repeat as often as you like. Or get out of your seat and take a walk.

5. The secret to getting the most from your holiday?

Get into that holiday state of mind and let the physical tensions drift away by booking a massage the day or night before your trip. This gets your body and mind into relaxation mode, encourages work thoughts to drift away so you’ll feel a lot lighter and brighter for your trip.

Just imagine how you’d feel without all that extra baggage at the start of your holiday!  I swear by it – as do many clients already in the know.

Let me know how you get on and have a relaxing and calm holiday

Joe 🙂

Well you made it to midway! June is the halfway point in the year and it’s when we enjoy the longest, brightest days. It’s a time of flourishing and growth in nature – and we have more energy too.

The perfect time to make the most of the sunshine and mull over how you are feeling in yourself.

Do you feel vibrant, full of energy and flexible in body and mind?

Or are you feeling tight, sluggish and chaotic?

Let’s reflect on how you’ve done in the first half of the year, how far you’ve come in fulfilling your personal dreams, goals and wishes (choose which words resonate the most with you) and how your wellbeing sits with all this.

Take a few moments to work through the following exercise and discover how you could improve your sense of well-being throughout the rest of the year.  All you need is a pen and paper and an open mind.

1. What does well-being and being well mean to you right now?

2. What well-being activities have you taken part in so far this year?

Tip: If you are a keen photographer, look over your snaps. If you are a Facebook fan, have a peek at your timeline – but don’t get too distracted!

3. Are these activities benefiting your sense of well-being or making you feel drained?

4. Going forward, how can you support yourself more at home, work & play?

• Do you need to give something up?
• Should you do less of a certain thing?
• Are you maintaining consistency?
• Could you start something new?

Your answers, ideas and musings will help to prioritise your well-being foundations.

Making it real

The next step is the crucial bit.

1. Write down your well-being foundations in your diary, on your calendar, in your phone or in a notebook and plan when you will take action. Perhaps choose a bright colour so it really stands out (this will also help when you review this year, as it draws to a close).

Tip: Writing things down adds weight to them becoming a reality. Talking about them takes you a step closer too. You might find that some of your friends are keen to join in with some of your planned well-being activities. Even better!

1. Start small and stay consistent for the next month (or more) until your new actions become a habit.
2. To stay motivated, check your wellbeing foundations daily, weekly and/or monthly (you choose) and update your progress.
3. Remember to celebrate what goes well for you and if you have any challenges, don’t be too harsh on yourself.

Instead, be gentle and consider the following;

• Where do you need support?
• Do you need to break your goal down to make it more manageable?
• Is the original goal still supporting you? (perhaps it isn’t important to you any more).

Explore this by yourself or with friends and if you’re struggling, remember to keep it simple and perhaps choose just ONE thing to do every day to nourish your well-being.

If you need extra help, get in touch and let me know at hello@calmworks.co.uk.

I can talk you through some options.

This is a special ‘Rise & Shine’ yoga with profits going towards two York based youth charities SASH helping homeless young people find a safe bed for the night and The Island who provide long term mentoring for young people.

Cost: £12 minimum donation – feel free to offer more if you can.

Fundraising for SASH and The Island

Please note: Pre book your mat with Joe as limited numbers. Yoga passess not valid.

If you’d like to book your yoga place please let Joe know ASAP on 07799 145548 or at hello@calmworks.co.uk

ALL monies raised from these two sessions and any client donations during the month of June will be given to Catherine Adamson’s £10,000 fundraiser campaign. She is committed to raising awareness for these charities and is currently walking and wild camping along the Cleveland Way. Her direct fundraising link is HERE  

I look forward to hearing from you soon and if you can’t make the Friday feel free to contribute to the fundraising directly HERE 

It doesn’t matter how many we’ve sat or how much we’ve studied, exams are simply stressful.

Share these four tips with anyone going through exam time, for happier and healthier studies.

1. The elixir of life

Of course, it’s the simple H2O. Water comprises around 60 -70% of our body weight and we need it to regulate body temperature, cleanse our systems of waste materials and to help our cells communicate.
Just like a car we need to refuel regularly, so grab yourself a special glass or water bottle and make sure it’s topped up.
If you fancy making it a bit zingy, add some slices of lemon or try herbal teas. Remember if you want to feel that mojo working get hydrating!

2. Align yourself for success

Revision involves a whole lot of sitting down. Make sure your desk is set up to support you to work safely. This might mean a new PC set up, changing your chair, using a wireless keyboard or sorting out your stationery.
Crossed legs are a BIG no-no! Sit with both feet on the floor (if they don’t reach use a foot rest or a ream of paper.
Are your elbows in line with the desk? Shoulders relaxed and low? Check your chin isn’t jutting out and overworking your upper back, shoulder and neck muscles.
It may feel strange at first but persevere and your hips, back, shoulders and neck will be better supported.

3. Desk time disco

Our bodies weren’t designed to sit still for long periods. Get up, go for a stroll and stretch those limbs. Not just your legs – wiggle your hips and bum!
Reach your arms up like your are having your first stretch of the day. Try some nice smooth shoulder rotations, inviting the elbows, then the hands to do the same.
Finally, try slow gentle neck rotations. The slower you do this the more you can really feel into the sensations that your body is experiencing.
If you can get some tunes on, have yourself a bit of a boogie!

Remember! Now might be a good time to have a sip of water …..

4. Fuel for success

Does your diet give you zest and vitality – or leave you feeling empty, with permanent munchies and cravings for salty, sugary food? Do the office biscuits disappear in a whirl?
Now’s the time you really need those vital nutrients. Keep healthy snacks – try nuts, seeds, dried fruit and chopped up fresh fruit – at your desk. Mix up the colours, textures and flavours to keep things interesting.

Photo by Adolfo Félix on Unsplash