Run For The Hills

THE IDEAL MAN SPA

It's a bit of a generalisation to say that women like to be pampered more than men, but for me, the idea of a spa weekend is not something I'd ever do with a group of male friends. Not to say I don't like a massage or a Jacuzzi - it's just that men don't really know how to really look after themselves in that regard and if they ever do go to a spa - it's not really discussed with their mates. Again, I'm generalising. But....this weekend, I've realised what an ideal spa break for me is. A trip to the mountains for some life-threatening activities, followed by death-cheating celebratory drinking filled with many moments of laughter.

It's amazing how much clarity of thought you can get after really concentrating on not hurting yourself up a mountain - all other worries and concerns are pushed right out of the mind. It's the exhilaration and thrill of doing something potentially dangerous with your friends with a bit of competition thrown in and banter in the pub afterwards that make my man-spa weekends. And for a bit of conventional spa treatment - booking in at a spa hotel like the Grandes Rousses Hotel where we stayed, means theres even a jacuzzi to relax in too.

Golden Ray Days

TAKE A DAY OFF

If we count the days that we potentially have available to spend basking in the sunshine, we will see that there is only a finite number remaining. That's not meant to be morbid - just realistic. There's no guarantee that tomorrow will come. But at 43, with my grandparents living up until their late 80's, I may be fortunate enough to get the same number of summers again.

And if like me, you live and work in a country where the weather can be fairly cool and as unpredictable as the UK is - there won't be many chances where you can truly enjoy the best times of the day to bask in the sun. It's rare that we get the chance. Unless you count the paltry hour's lunch break in the 9-5 job, the odd weekend when the planets align for a sunny spell or the week's holiday roasting in scorchio Spain. That's if you're lucky enough to get abroad for a proper break in a sunny climate.

Life's too short

It really is. So why miss out on those golden days when they come along?  Do whatever you have to do. Take that time for yourself. The world will keep turning regardless. Down tools for just one day. 

Lied to your boss? Faked a stomach bug? A family crises? Whatever it is that got you there - kicking back on a random day in the middle of the week, warmed by the glorious sunshine, sipping a cold one and grabbing life before it passes you by - this is living. Relax - your conscious can take it! 

Regroup

TAKING IT EASY

There comes a point where we have to look at ourselves in the mirror and be realistic to the fact we're not getting any younger. The days of feeling invincible have passed. Try as I might to deceive myself - I'm approaching a mid-life point where it's inevitable that I will get worn out if I keep the 25 year old's lifestyle going like I have been. Burning the candle at both ends and partying like an irresponsible 40yr old can take it's toll and that's why I'm having some time out to take it easy.

Missing out on the fun
I'm telling myself this today, because this time last year I was already on my second day of fun at the Glastonbury festival. So, I'm justifying to myself that it's better being at home this year - but really I'd like to be jumping around in a large Somerset field with 200,000 revellers!

I've been lucky to have this 6 month period of looking after myself. The days of waking and feeling refreshed have far outweighed the tired and hungover ones felt in 2015 so far. So while it would have been fun at a festival this weekend, I recognise it's been a full-on few years of over-revving the engine. I never thought I'd admit it, but it's been a good decision taking my foot off the gas. I've never coasted in the slow lane in my life before. Maybe it's a maturity thing, or maybe I know that there's always another party to be had just around the next corner...!

Holidays Abroad

SUNSHINE STRESS-BUSTER

Travelling abroad for some sunshine this weekend, the plan was to have a relaxing 4-5 day break to return refreshed and ready for what the world throws at me. Today, I'm back: tired, bloated and a little pink. So apart from the vitamin D, what good has a trip abroad really given me? Let's take a look at the pros and cons...

Pros

- Time with partner

- Exploring somewhere new

- Reading books

- Getting my skin in the sunshine

- Laying around not doing very much

- Feeling warm

- Basking in sunshine

- Looking at a picturesque coastline

- Swimming in warm pool and sea

- Eating mediterranean food

- Drinking cheaper alcohol

Cons

- Early 3am start for flight

- Extra cost of transport to and from airport 

- Airport stressful environment 

- Stress of people 

- Stress of baggage
- Stress of security

- Expense of air travel

- Time spent travelling

- Hot and sweaty
- Hotel bed too soft/too hard

- Sun creams cost and application

- Mediterranean food fried, greasy

- Cost of eating out a lot

- Over-endulgence with alcohol

If we properly look at the pros and cons for taking a short trip away to a foreign country - on the negative side, it's actually quite unsettling, stressful and expensive. Plus, a lot of time is spent travelling squashed in a plane, coach, train or queueing up with tired, stressed people. Often, these other poor souls who have also chosen to 'get away' for a relaxing break are being shepherded along, laden with their heavy bags and/or whiney kids, trying to keep up the appearance of a happy family. Not a relaxing scenario at all - and that's just the bit getting there.

Having an environment to not do very much when you do arrive at your destination, means a lot of money is spent eating and drinking to fill the time. So, summing all this up, I'd say a day trip from home could be just as rewarding in terms of exploring somewhere new and without a lot of the stresses experienced when flying - potentially far more relaxing, especially if one sleeps in their own bed at the end of the day. I've never really looked at a holiday in these terms before - but the reality of it does bring into question why so many people take these trips. Not to say going somewhere like the Balearics, where the aqua blue sea is warm and the sun shines in a clear blue sky seemingly every day, isn't wonderful - because it is, but just that a few days spent at home could positively be much better for us if relaxation is the key.

Doing something

MAKING THE MOST OF PRODUCTIVE TIME

So yesterday was a mostly productive day - quite intense but with a bit of R&R. So I've set aside today as my first chance to do nothing. Doing 'nothing', as I've now realised, just isn't entirely possible. There's always a bit of 'I'll just do that first' and then after that I'll relax.... That's why planning on doing not very much today didn't work out too well...because the 'just do that' got in the way again and again. However, I'm ok with it today as I was being so efficiently productive, that I managed to get a lot done in a relatively short space of time.

That being said, It's a beautiful sunny, warm day here in London and yet I've spent the most part of it in front of a computer in a darkened room. Thing is, there'll be another sunny day but it's not often that I'll get such clarity on my thinking like today and you have to take those opportunities when they come along. I managed to get so much done this morning that I'm now in the sun with the knowledge that tomorrow will be another day of doing something with more breaks factored in rather than spending the whole day in front of a computer screen.

It's all down to balance - which can be said about everything in life. Finding a place of balance in our lives is always subjective and ever changing. Accepting that balance is merely a concept that should be monitored from a place of harmony within our mind body and environment, will help us to stay in tune more. That's the place I want (and need to get to) - where I'm less frantic trying to fit so much in to a day and not feeling so run ragged. If I'm in a more relaxed state, the working moments will be the most productive and rewarding too.

Push through

BEING ACTIVE

Sometimes, when you've been constantly on the go. relaxing and sitting around can be just what you need. A break away from the routine can really help to recharge the batteries. However, having too many lazy days can also have a negative effect on your energy levels, as I found when chilling this weekend. 

On a down day, I like to read, listen to music and veg out like the best of us. But to kick the day off, it's always great to do a bit of stretching, breathing and light movement. You can make your own little routine or I like to do some yoga moves. There's a great app called Yoga Studio which gives you the option of a full yoga workout or just a quick 10 minute stretch session and all right there in your pocket! So this morning, I woke early, went for a brisk walk around the deserted town and returned as the sun was breaking through dark clouds, signalling another glorious day. I then did a 12 minute sun salutation yoga warm-up routine with my partner before taking a light breakfast.

The thing is, I'd not had a particularly great night's sleep, was not feeling all that rested, plus feeling a bit stiff from the week and hadn't really wanted to leave the warm confines of the bedroom today. Those damned negative voices once again...But I'm so glad I got myself up and pushed through rather than snooze for another hour, choosing to ignore the lazy voice and get some fresh air, sunshine in my face and energy flowing through my veins. I now feel so much more alive as a consequence and it's another reminder to always 'push through' - get up early and embrace the day.

Food Science

The diet's still going really well. I've been watching a really good 3 part BBC Horizon documentary this morning about people struggling with their diet. It's been really interesting to see how overweight people are affected by food in various different ways. I reckon, if I wasn't as active, body conscious and self-educated about food - I'd likely be overweight too because I'm a 'Feaster'. Luckily, I am aware of what I eat and sticking to the 30 day Paleo diet for another two weeks yet. If only more people were more savvy about food. This great series from the BBC should help educate many many more people about what factors affect their weight and ultimately, their health - so well-worth a watch.