Reap the rewards of spending time outside this May. Prioritise self-care, and explore new-found joys in nature
1. Page-turners
Watermarks: Life, Death and Swimming by Lenka Janiurek
Reading about the experiences of others, particularly those that we would not otherwise be exposed to, can help to open our eyes and broaden our perspectives. Lenka’s heartwarming memoir Watermarks explores her childhood through to her adult life, including encounters with death, poverty, and success. Her story emphasises her connection with water, and the freedom swimming gave her in times of despair.
(Allison & Busby, £8.99)
2. Out and about
The National Theatre
From classics like Othello to hidden gems like Antigone, the National Theatre at Home has everything you could need for an evening viewing! Grab some popcorn, some miniature tubs of ice-cream, and enjoy live action performances in your own, very comfy, front row seats.
(Visit ntathome.com)
3. Get going
Head outside
Fed up of feeling attached to your desk? Why not take that work call outside? It can often feel difficult to try to squeeze time for exercise into your day, but one simple idea is to actually incorporate it into your work. If you’ve got a meeting where you don’t need to take notes, why not take your headphones and walk along to the sound of productive discussions?
4. Put on a show
Family Bake Off
If you’ve been inspired by the latest cohort of bakers to enter The Great Celebrity Bake Off for SU2C tent, it’s your turn to compete for star baker. Why not round up some family members, bake along to an episode, and see who would be most likely to achieve a handshake from Paul Hollywood?
(Watch ‘The Great Celebrity Bake Off for SU2C’ on All4)
5. Lend us your ears
‘The Smart 7’
If you find yourself overwhelmed by the constant flow of news and media, but do want to keep up-to-date with what’s happening in the world, ‘The Smart 7’ podcast can help you do just that. Focusing on just seven key things you need to know, every day, in less than seven minutes, the podcast is a great way to be engaged with current affairs on your own terms.
(Listen to the podcast on iTunes and Spotify)
6. Plugged-in
Harlow and Sage on Instagram
Pets have helped us in more ways that we could have imagined in the past year, so if, like us, you love seeing them on your feed, we’ve found an Instagram account you’ll adore! Packed full of doggy adventures, and the occasional kitty photobomb, these doggy foster family photos will never fail to make you smile!
(Follow @harlowandsage on Instagram)
7. Tech Tip-Offs
My Footprint
Enjoy a challenge? WWF-UK has created an app that lets you get involved and celebrate successes in reducing your environmental impact on a daily basis! The little things really do make all of the difference, so why not challenge friends and family to reduce their carbon footprint by eating climate-friendly foods, or planting your own herbs?
(Download from the App Store and Google Play)
8. Square eyes
Firefly Lane
Adapted from the novel of the same name, Firefly Lane is a light drama series that follows the lives and friendship of two teenage girls in the 1970s, all of the way through to their adulthood in the early 2000s. With a dash of humour and loveable female relationships at every turn, binge-watching the series is a fantastic way to switch off for the evening.
(Watch on Netflix)
9. Treat yourself
Holy Grail
When the evening rolls around, it can be really calming to wash off the day with a face mask – your skin will thank you, too! Holy Grail’s Hibiscus & Pomegranate Detoxifying Kaolin Clay Mask is designed to draw out any dirt in the skin, and help you to feel clean and pampered. With products that are paraben-free, you don’t have to choose between effective skincare and natural products.
(£16.99, shop online at holygrail-beauty.com)
10. The conversation
ME Awareness Week
Myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME, also known as chronic fatigue syndrome, CFS) is a debilitating disease of the central nervous system that can affect anyone, of any age, and can have severe long-term effects - ranging from extreme fatigue, to flu-like symptoms and generally feeling unwell. This week is about raising awareness of the condition, and what those with ME experience on a daily basis.
(11–16 May, get involved at meassociation.org.uk)
To connect with a life coach or discuss ways that you can work on your own mental wellbeing, visit lifecoach-directory.org.uk
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