Fitness: How to Find Your Inner Calm in London

London is stressful. Whether you work in an office, a shop or from home,  finding your calm in London is a great way to become a better you. Stress manifests itself in different ways and can eventually lead to real problems so sometimes all you need to do is switch off and plug yourself into an activity or exercise.

Get out and walk

While not everyone has enough time to do a 5km run at lunchtime, simply getting out and exploring the area where you work or live is a great way to relieve stress. There are lots of little parks and squares in London just waiting to be explored.

The well-manicured lawns of Lincoln Inn Fields in Holborn are lovely. They are open to the public during lunch hours and remind you that there is an oasis of calm in the midst of a concrete jungle. Postman’s Park, a short stroll away from St. Paul’s Cathedral, is another hidden gem which is open from 8am to 7pm all year-round.

It’s perfect for that morning stroll, evening contemplation or just to sit and ponder. If you keep your eyes open and get off your smartphone once in a while you might just stumble on a secret garden.

 

Book yourself a massage

Massages are costly in London but they are a wonderful escape. Living and working in the “Big Smoke” can leave you overworked, underpaid and spending the whole day on your smartphone, smartwatch, tablet, laptop and computer.

If you’re going to live your life onscreen you might as well feel like a movie star occasionally and a regular massage can do the trick. They help the body and mind in many ways and can alleviate stress-related problems such as insomnia and anxiety. To experience euphoria every now and again hit up Groupon, Urban Massage or Treatwell and book a massage without breaking the bank.

We also recommend visiting the London College of Beauty Therapy just off Oxford Street for professional treatments at a fraction of the normal price. Just make sure to book an appointment.

There’s an app for that

If you’re short on time and always on your phone, downloading some stress-relieving apps may help you find your calm at your desk or staff canteen. Headspace is an app that provides guided meditation and mindfulness training.

Simply spending 10 minutes a day meditating could be the key to a less stressed life. Calm.com, like the Headspace app, provides you with guided meditations and if you’re just beginning you can learn the basics with “7 Days of Calm” or start your mornings with the “Daily Calm”. Perfect before you get on the Tube…

Whatever you choose, don’t let London stress you out.

by Elle Linton

 

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