For weeks, the buds are small green globes on their spear-like stalks, as stubbornly sealed as tightly clenched fists. Then, one day, a flash of cerise catches your eye as you walk up the path – the hollyhocks are out and summer is finally in bloom. The year is full of subtle special occasions like …
Burnout. It’s a familiar term – and one that’s often bandied about when a person is tired. Yet there’s a difference between the two. Both are important signals that rest is needed, but burnout, which is defined by the National Health Service as a state of physical, mental and emotional exhaustion caused by prolonged stress, …
In this issue: A little life music – Free spirit – This time last year… – An end has a start – Stories through pictures – Take flight – Rising to the challenge – All out of energy? – Rainforest warriors – Keeping it real ‘What’s your favourite colour?’ Along with ‘What’s your star sign?’, …
When you think of the world’s best-known surfing hotspots, these might be some of the things that spring to mind. Geographical features are less likely to get a look-in, yet they dictate how waves approach the coastline from deeper waters to create the best surfing conditions. What makes good waves for surfing? There are three …
For many, a holiday brings joy – whether it’s a city sightseeing break, a few days’ walking in the countryside or a fortnight on an idyllic beach. But there’s also excitement to be found in the weeks leading up to a trip, especially one that’s long in the planning or a childhood dream. ‘Anticipating a …
Whether it’s an English Breakfast, a turmeric infusion or a flat white, the ritual of making a hot drink is part of most people’s daily routine. And drinking it can easily become a perfunctory step in the auto-piloted process. You might sip your tea while getting dressed or hunting for your car keys. Perhaps, at …
Hunching over a screen can cause stiff shoulders and tension headaches. If you’ve experienced these, it’s possible that the root of your problem doesn’t lie where you think it does. In fact, many tension issues can be released with a gentle, soothing touch on an area of your body rarely considered: your jaw. Why a …
In this issue: Drink in the day – Happy talk – Within a stone’s throw – Understanding the point – Safe passage – A swell time – Unleash your inner warrior – Clear and present – Passionate spectator – Round trip ‘If only I’d gone straight home…’ or how about ‘If only I’d realised what …
Why does creativity bring joy? According to ancient Indian texts, the sacral chakra is one of the seven central energy points in the body. Located about four finger-widths below the belly button, it’s associated with the colour orange, pleasure and creativity. Its Sanskrit name, Svadhishthana, means ‘dwelling place of the Self’. What happens when your …
Why are siblings competitive? Consider the following childhood scenarios. It’s the annual school sports day. Because you and your sibling have the same surname, you’re on the same team, both wearing your red shirts with pride and participating in cheering other pupils on when they throw further or run faster than the yellows, greens and …
