The Commuter's Victory

General, Out and About 1 Response »
Jul 262011

I am not a huge fan of commuting (as seems to be the general view after reading an article on what makes people happy – a short commute is a big one). However, I had quite a long way to go on the tube today so I decided to have a change in commuting strategy. Instead of burying my head in my iPhone or iPad (such is the thing to do on a commute – or sleep), I challenged myself to just simply sit and watch the goings on around me. I do find this a real challenge as I feel I should be doing something with the time. Eastern philosophy will tell you that to simply sit is one of the hardest things to do.

So there I was just sitting and watching (have to admit I did feel a little self conscious that I wasn’t focusing on a gadget like my fellow commuters). I found it fascinating though how many people get on to the tube and scan the carriage (with darting little eyes) to spot an empty seat. When they see one, they move with such alacrity – some almost run! Once the seat has been seized they either look proudly around as if to say ‘I won..’ or they don’t dare look up in case they bulldozed an old person or a pregnant woman who really could have benefitted from sitting down.

Although we are often tired when we are commuting – and a seat is a welcome relief to standing – we should remember that we spend far too much of our lives sitting as it is.

Next time you get onto a train see if you are one of the seat dashers or whether you casually hang near the door. If you are already in a seat (which I am sure you moved to in a civilized manner) watch how crazy people go to get a seat…it is quite amusing really.

Happy people watching (and standing)

Posted by Hilbre at 6:32 pm

Laugh out loud

Out and About No Responses »
Jun 212011

I have just got back from a wonderful week in the sun (seems I picked a good week to be away with all this rain). I am therefore feeling very relaxed but at the same time very behind with my blogging. I wanted to share this one with you as I think the world definitely needs more laughter.

We went to see Seinfeld a few weeks ago which was his first time in London, and for those of you who are Seinfeld fans and didn’t go – you missed a fantastic night. I always think it is such an amazing gift to be able to stand up on a stage and make people laugh for 90 minutes – what a great job.

As I left there (with my cheeks aching) I just thought how good laughing makes one feel and how many people just don’t seem to laugh enough. I know life can be hard and at times it certainly isn’t appropriate to laugh but it is something we could all benefit from doing on a daily basis.

The interesting thing was that all Jerry’s material was just about normal day-to-day stuff that people do. Comedians are masters at observing human behaviour and relaying it back to us…

I found the following Benefits of Laughter on the Internet and thought they were worth sharing with you.

  1. Laughter is contagious – we all know this is true.
  2. Laughter triggers the release of endorphins, the body’s natural painkillers and producers a general sense of well-being.
  3. Laughter generally increases activity within in the immune system. It also decreases stress hormones. I tend to think happy people do seem to be less sickly than unhappy people.
  4. Laughter is even equivalent to a small about of exercise. It massages all organs of the body – according to a certain Dr James Walsh.
  5. Laughter builds relationships.
  6. Laughter disarms tension and stress.
  7. Humour brings the balance we need to get through the turbulence of life comfortably.
  8. Laughter adds spice to life and to add my own – laughter makes life more fun!

Therefore – go out there and try to find humour in your daily life.

Posted by Hilbre at 2:24 pm

We all love LOVE

News, Out and About No Responses »
Apr 282011

Everyone loves a fairytale, especially one that ends with ‘they lived happily ever after…’ Hopefully Kate and William will do just that. They certainly make a lovely looking couple and seem very happy. We are all waiting for the famous kiss on the balcony at 1.25pm (no room for spontaneity at this wedding). Apparently it is ‘not done’ to kiss in the church as explained on one of the many royal wedding websites –

“There will be no kiss during the wedding ceremony,” explained the Very Reverend Dr. John Hall, the dean of Westminster and the man responsible for overseeing the spiritual life of Westminster Abbey. “We don’t do that in the Church of England. That’s sort of a Hollywood thing: ‘ You may now kiss the bride.’ It doesn’t happen here.”

‘No matter what your views are on the Monarchy you will struggle to escape the Royal Wedding mania as little Britain is certainly taking centre stage right now.

It is unbelievable to see the number of people camping on the streets just to get a glimpse of the royal procession. It is estimated that 2 billion viewers will be watching the wedding which is not hard to believe when one sees the number of TV crews set up outside Buckingham Palace – even the Philippines is being represented. We all loved Diana and, for those of us old enough, we remember clearly her wedding day when she walked so nervously down what must have seemed like a never-ending isle in her very large wedding gown. While all the festivities are going on – there is also a debate regarding the need for the Monarchy.

Right now I think who cares about details such as whether the Monarchy should exist – lets just enjoy the wonderful energy flowing all around the world as we watch Kate and William say ‘I do’.

 

Posted by Hilbre at 2:22 pm

Floating for fun

Out and About No Responses »
Apr 132011

How many of you have been to the Dead Sea?

I read in a recent copy of Yoga magazine about Floatworks at London Bridge – the world’s largest floatation centre. I managed to convince my poor unsuspecting friend (to be honest I didn’t know what to expect either) that it was going to be fun and peaceful. I told her it would be like being back in the womb (not that I have a clear recollection of that particular part of my life) which I am sure was very peaceful.

Anyway, this wasn’t quite like being back in the womb  – for one thing you are lying horizontal and not turning in constant circles. It is amazing how babies don’t get nauseous, as that can be one of the side affects of floating – strange as you feel pretty still when you float due to the super saturated salt solution.  The lady at reception said one’s reaction to floating all depends on where you carry your stress. My friend discovered she holds tension in her stomach and I realised just how much tension I hold in my neck. When you are alone with yourself for an hour in a silent pod just floating you discover a lot about your body and how it handles stress.

Luckily, all these symptoms are fleeting and you emerge back onto street level feeling incredibly light, re-energised, re-hydrated and on a totally different wave length to the rest of the chaos going on in the London streets.

While I wouldn’t float every week, research has shown there are many benefits to floating, of which stress relief is one of the biggest, and therefore  I would definitely suggest giving it a try. Below are a few websites to check out and if you Google ‘benefits of floating’ you will see just how long the list is – definitely something to consider.

www.floatworks.com

www.londonfloatcentre.com

 

Posted by Hilbre at 12:22 pm