by The Baytree | Sep 20, 2023 | Lifestyle, News
January might be the typical month for New Years resolutions and work out commitments, but as the summer holidays come to a close, September is a perfect time to get back into healthy habits. With the kids back to school, the return of weekly routines and work commitments, make sure to incorporate time for exercise into your busy schedules! Grab that new gym membership this September and start working on healthy habits.
Here are some ideas to help you stay motivated:
- Have a plan.
When life starts to get busy, make sure to schedule time for the gym so it doesn’t get forgotten or overlooked! It can be easy to miss a workout if you are not creating the time for yourself, so make sure to have an hour or two booked in the calendar each week. Not only is it helpful to spend time away from the chaos of a busy week at home, but a good workout can help you focus better and reduce stress.
- Reward yourself.
Recognize the small wins in your fitness journey, such as a new PR in the gym, your longest run or fastest swim so far – It is encouraging and motivating to see the development in your fitness journey.
- Little and often.
The NHS recommends 150 minutes of moderate-intensity activity, which equates to half an hour of activity 5 days a week. Pop to the gym for a quick workout after work or go for a run to wake up before the day starts, but do not feel guilty if you can’t spend long in the gym! A short workout is always better than no workout. Take it easy when you first return to the gym, otherwise you will burn out.
- Involve the family.
Now that your weekdays are filled with work and school, it is important to still find time at the weekends to bond as a family. Why not go to the gym together, or take a fitness class as a family? Not only are you spending time together, but you are promoting healthy habits and traditions that will continue to benefit them in the future.
Make sure to find the best membership for you at Better Gym with a range of options on monthly passes, day passes and pay-as-you-go. Discover great value student memberships, junior memberships, and Off-Peak saver memberships.
by The Baytree | May 11, 2022 | Lifestyle
This Mental health awareness week, we’re highlighting the importance of looking after your mental health here at The Baytree. We all know that life can feel a bit much sometimes and keeping positive can seem like the hardest thing, but it’s so important to remember to put yourself first. So we’ve put together a list of our top 5 ways to help you along with any mental health struggles, and for those days when you’re not quite feeling like your best self.
Art Therapy
Using art to express your creative side can have a lot of benefits to your mental health. Even if you don’t think of yourself to be that artistic- it can be very therapeutic and really help you to wind down and relax. Psychologist, Carl Jung suggested colouring in mandalas as a way to relax and help with mental health. He noticed that it has a calming effect whilst also helping to process your emotions. So grab yourself some colouring pens and put some time aside one evening to have a go, and see what a difference it can make.
Exercise
Exercise is one of the best things you can do to combat stress and it has been linked to combating symptoms of depression and anxiety. Putting your body through physical stress can help with the relief of mental stress immensely and those who exercise regularly are less likely to induce stress as it lowers the bodies stress hormones in the long run, such as cortisol. When exercising, your body releases endorphins, which is what will help to uplift your mood. Stress and anxiety can have a big negative impact on the quality of your sleep so exercise will also play a huge part in the improvement of your sleep quality. (And who here doesn’t love their sleep?)
Taking on regular ways to exercise can also tend to have a positive impact on your confidence, mentally and physically. Even something as simple as getting in a brisk walk during your lunch hour will end up being hugely beneficial. And with summer just round the corner, now’s a better time to start than any!
Step outdoors
Spending time in nature has been found to help with problems in mental health such as anxiety and depression. Research into ecotherapy (a type of formal treatment which involves doing activities outside in nature) has shown it can help with mild to moderate depression. This might be due to combining regular physical activity and social contact with being outside in nature and getting a source of vitamin D. Being outside in natural light can also be helpful if you suffer with symptoms brought on with seasonal affective disorder (SAD), which is a type of depression that affects people during certain times of the year.
Talk to someone
One of the most important things to remember when caring for your mental health is to recognise when you’re not feeling yourself and to know when to ask for help. There is no shame in admitting your feelings and the sooner you admit it to yourself, the sooner you can confide in someone for support if you’re feeling low or stressed (we all get like it). It’s important to know in yourself that you have a support system for when you go through the rough patches that everyone does or if you feel like you’re facing bigger problems mentally and need to go to a GP for expert advice and get the professional help that you need.
Aromatherapy
Aromatherapy isn’t just about nice smells that help you sleep better or boost your mood, aromatherapy uses essential oils as an aid for a range of physical, emotional, and mental health purposes. They’re made from various plant parts, such as roots, seeds, leaves and blossoms. For example, ylang ylang, chamomile and clary slange might help you battle anxiety and insomnia. Whilst rosemary and geranium might be useful when your mood needs a bit of an uplift. Inhalation is probably the most well-known method when it comes to using aromatherapy for mental and emotional health but using essential oils in a bubble bath for a pamper evening or using them during a massage session that you’ve roped your partner into will work too.
Product descriptions from image:
Wilko Cotton Grip Pattern Garden Glove (£1.50)
WHSmith Nature Mandalas (£8.19)
Holland & Barrett: Miaroma Essential Oil (£10, currently buy one get one free)
Sports Direct NIKEAir Zoom SuperRep 2 Women’s Trainers (Currently on offer for £60)
by michael | May 14, 2020 | Style
As lockdown enters week 8 (we think?) are you finding this enforced time together relaxing or tiring? According to recent You Gov figures, 87% of us think we are coping pretty well, although 25% felt it was putting a strain on their relationship. So, if you’re looking for new ways to find a little me-time away from it all, look no further.
Just chill
Even though we are confined to a much smaller space than we are used to, it is possible to create a special place in the house or garden to just chill. Treat yourself to a comfy chair from Wilko, new fluffy cushions from Claire’s plus the perfect Wilko footstool and treat yourself to some new books and your favourite music from WHSmith for the perfect lockdown relaxation playlist. It’s all about recognising the need to walk away from work/family/the phone and taking a little time out before moving onto the next task.
Find a new relaxation routine
Many of us have found time to add one hour of permitted exercise into our lives. Whether it’s a gentle walk around the block, a vigorous jog or a speedy bike ride, it’s all good news for our mental health. Exercise reduces levels of the body’s stress hormones, and stimulates endorphins in the brain that act as natural painkillers and mood enhancers. So now the one hour restriction has been lifted, you have all day to watch some inspiration from Sports Direct before you get going.
Pamper yourself
Online sales of toiletries have increased, showing that with non-essential stores closed, many of us have rushed to order that special moisturiser, bubble bath or face pack. Good to see that taking care of our skin and looking good is still high on the agenda. Check out the latest natural beauty products from Holland & Barrett and bath and body gift sets from Savers.
Learn to paint
From getting DIY tasks done around the house to enjoying the challenge of painting by numbers, we seem to have been getting creative. With shopping centres managing socially distanced queues outside Wilko, high sales of children’s colouring pencils from The Works and local schoolchildren from Long Riding Primary School hitting the pavements with chalked and painted messages to celebrate keyworkers on the frontline, there is plenty of evidence that the nation’s artistic skills are on the rise. The perfect way to relax the brain after a busy day.
This picture from Long Riding Primary School was submitted to Inyourarea.co.uk by Louise Day
We hope to see you at Baytree Shopping Centre again soon, but in the meantime, please stay safe, keep healthy and stay in touch!
by michael | Apr 30, 2020 | Style
Sadly, most of the planned activities for this year’s VE Day 75th Anniversary have had to be postponed or cancelled due to COVID-19, but we’re not going to let that stop us celebrating this special bank holiday weekend at home.
We’ve pulled together a few ideas for local families to remember, learn and reflect on the incredible sacrifice, courage, and determination of people from all walks of life who saw us through this dark and terrifying period.
Discover the history
Watch this short BBC Teach Class Clip film to find out all about VE Day and VJ Day, and the events that led to the end of the war.
Download a special VE Day poem, Unmentioned in Despatches, by Peter Wyton.
Or read up on more of the history with a selection of books from WHSmith.
Host a ‘Street Party’ at home
Of course, we can’t go out into the street this year, but we can still create a smaller scale party at home. The English Heritage have created a useful Party Pack, complete with recipes for tasty 1940s dishes, a VE Day poster to display, invitations to send your family, lyrics to popular 1940s songs and tips for dancing the Lindy hop swing.
Wilko have a range of party plates in red, white and blue.
Card Factory are still taking orders online for Union Jack balloons.
The Works have Union Jack flags.
as well as red, white and blue bunting on their website.
And you can buy official VE Day merchandise from the following websites: https://www.poppyshop.org.uk/catalogsearch/result?q=VE%20Day and https://www.veday75.org/merchandise/
Interview a neighbour or grandparent on the phone
Local radios will be sharing memories and interviews in the run up to VE day, but you can set up your very own phone interview. Make someone’s day with a friendly chat about their own memories – we’ve put together a list of questions to help.
How about writing up your interview as a school project, or sharing the answers on our Facebook post.
Question 1: Were you born before the 8th May 1945?
Question 2: Do you remember where you were on this special day 75years ago?
Question 3: How did you feel when you heard the war had ended?
Question 4: How did you and your family and friends celebrate in 1945?
Question 5: What do you remember about the war?
Question 6: How will you be celebrating VE Day today?
Raise a toast at 3pm on Friday 8th May 2020
In place of public gatherings, the Pageantmaster is encouraging us all to join in a ‘Nation’s Toast to the Heroes of WW2’ at 3pm on the 8th May. Easy to join in from the safety of our own homes, we are asked to stand up and raise a glass of refreshment of their choice and undertake the following ‘Toast’: “To those who gave so much, we thank you.”
You can download a copy of the toast here.
This will be a unique opportunity for the nation to pay tribute to the many millions at home and abroad that gave so much to ensure we all enjoy and share the freedom.
Happy VE Day, everyone!
by michael | Apr 15, 2020 | Style
[cs_content][cs_element_section _id=”1″ ][cs_element_row _id=”2″ ][cs_element_column _id=”3″ ][cs_element_text _id=”4″ ][/cs_element_column][/cs_element_row][/cs_element_section][/cs_content][cs_content_seo]Upstairs at Baytree Shopping Centre, Better Gym is definitely missing its members. But never fear, online workouts are here!
Plenty of online workouts – no excuses
#StayInWorkOut Download the Better Gym app and you’ll have free access to virtual workouts – direct to your own home. It’s your very own sports facility in your pocket. Available for Apple and Android here.
Not a fan of of the gym? Never fear! For running, football or general training inspiration, check out the Sports Direct youtube channels.
Your wellbeing comes first
Holland& Barrett are still open during this time, but if you’re not up for venturing out, you can get 15% off everything on their app.
As well as access to vitamins, health supplements and natural beauty products, you’ll find advice on reducing risk of infection, what to do if you think you have Coronovirus symptoms, and how to keep mentally well if self-isolating on your own. For the latest advice see here.
Time to get into mindfulness
There has never been a better time to get your head around mindfulness. Different activities work for different people. Some might find yoga relaxing, others painting or colouring in. There is no hard and fast rule, just so long as you take some time out to distract your mind from any day to day worries and anxiety that might create stress.
Here are just a few suggestions – have a go and share the results with is on our social media pages!
Knitting and stitching kits from The Works.
Screen-free activities for kids from Holland & Barrett.
All you need to know about comfy slippers from Clarks.
April gardening tips from Wilko.
Indulgent beauty essentials from The Fragrance Shop.
We hope to see you back at Baytree Shopping Centre again soon, but in the meantime, please stay safe, keep healthy and stay in touch!
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by michael | Apr 8, 2020 | Style
We’re sad to see so many closed doors right now at Baytree Shopping Centre. But many of our amazing retailers are still working hard behind the scenes to make sure their products are still available for you during lockdown.
Here is a little summary and perhaps some inspiration while we’re all staying safe indoors.
Let us entertain your kids
Who better to make parents’ lives easier than The Works with a whole range of Boredom Busting Bundles, guaranteed to create in-house entertainment. From colouring in and paints, to money-off deals on Playdoh, educational book sets or arts and crafts kits. High demand means slightly longer timeframes for delivery, so in the meantime, check out their blog for some handy tutorials.
Loving our leisure wear
If you’re not working right now (and massive thanks to those who are delivering essential roles in and around Brentwood) then you might be sitting at home in your comfy gear. Need some new items if you’re wearing it all day, every day? Have a look at Sports Direct for their up to 70% off flash sale, full of discounted hoodies, sweatpants and tees.
De-clutter your home
What better use of lockdown time than to de-clutter your space and sell on some of your unwanted items? CEX is trading busily online and looking to buy and sell unwanted mobiles, DVDs, electronics and a whole host of stuff that’s just sitting around your home. Time to make some cash.
We hope to see you at Baytree Shopping Centre again soon, but in the meantime, please stay safe, keep healthy and stay in touch!
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