5 Ways To Reduce Your Digital Distractions

Let’s face it, we all spend too much time on our phones. They beg for attention with notifications and pop-ups. All it takes is for your hand to drift towards your phone, and then minutes (or even hours!) later. you find that you’ve been doom scrolling through Tik Tok or, Instagram.

Research shows that excessive mobile phone use can have negative effects on our mental health. It can affect your sleeping habits, your social life, and lower your self-esteem. It’s time we all set boundaries!

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The Importance of Rest

I don’t know about you, but the pressure that this time of year brings starts to fill me with dread. Why is there this need to book exciting events with the children, plan family outings, parties with colleagues, shopping days out with friends, hair appointments… the list goes on. It literally makes me want to run away and hide. Do you feel the same?

It’s almost as if our success and happiness is based on how busy we are and the navigation of the festive season seems to be the ultimate symbol of how well we are coping at life. (more…)

Reflection on the Lakes

I find his time of year to be such a contradiction. The season of Autumn shows us, quite literally, that it’s alright to let go. Nature’s energy starts to slow down and turn inward. So why is it then, that we look outwards with this idea of needing and wanting more? Halloween, Black Friday (week!) Christmas; all these events are designed to draw us towards feelings of lack and not being enough, so that we in turn spend more, buy more and do more. It’s those qualities that actually lead us to feel less than when we started and it culminates in us being on a never-ending quest in search of fulfilment. Nature is simple and steers her attention inward, so why don’t we look to the simple things?

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Benefits of giving up alcohol – and tips on how to do it

With Macmillan’s annual Sober for October campaign in full swing, more people than usual are teetotal at this time of year, so what better time to reflect on the benefits of not drinking alcohol?

Taking the decision to stop drinking might seem like a huge lifestyle change, but with so many positives for the body and mind, is it something you should seriously consider?

Research shows that quitting alcohol will dramatically boost your physical and mental health and wellbeing. But if you enjoy the occasional glass of wine or beer, all is not lost.

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The Importance of Repetition

I heard a fascinating fact recently from a study on the happiness of a child’s upbringing. It concluded that one key element to a fulfilled and happy childhood was repetition.

Maybe it was pizza every Friday night, the holiday location you visited each Summer, or the same friends you met at school year on year. When you reflect on your childhood, were there times where you had repetition and if so, how does looking back on them make you feel?

Reflecting on that, I realised how privileged my upbringing was, in that it was filled with repetition.

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Wild Swimmers Fighting the War on Waste

Wild swimming is an amazing experience.

The refreshing coolness of the water, the calmness of the surroundings, the breathtaking scenery… and an empty bottle of Coke.

Sadly, we are starting to see litter in our rivers, lakes, and seas more and more.

Between 4.8 and 12.7 million tonnes of plastic are tossed away into the sea every year.

And by 2040, this is expected to triple to over 26 million tonnes.

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Dyb, dyb, dyb!

In today’s society I feel there is a huge pressure to be perfect, and not just perfect at one thing, but perfect in every aspect of life. Even if your life isn’t flawless there is this idea that one has to portray the fact that it is.

When you get asked the question “How are you?”, how often do you reply with an “I’m fine, life is great”, when inside you are feeling overwhelmed and that things might not be as bright as you would like. Do we respond in that way for fear of how people might react to our slightly less than positive, perfect response?

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My most asked questions on wild swimming

Wild swimming is one of the most freeing experiences you can do. Not only is it a great workout, but it’s easy to allow yourself to just be absorbed by the nature surrounding you, clearing your mind of the hustle of everyday life.

However, wild swimming can set alarm bells off for many people. You may have questions about what happens when you go, or how you might feel.

Here are some FAQs I get from people either new to wild swimming or people who have never tried it.

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Embracing the simplicity of being human

So, this month sees the celebration of Simplicity Day. Theirs seems to be a day for everything these days but this is one that really struck a chord with me.

Since the lockdown when everything was much simpler, life has sped up. I don’t know about you but it almost feels like it is back to how it was pre pandemic. It’s hard to remember what it was like all those months ago when we had to go so slow and we actually had time to stop smell the roses as they say.

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Finding Celebration in the Every Day

As we look forward to the Jubilee celebrations this weekend, I began to think just how wonderful the Queen is for her age and wouldn’t it be wonderful to have her round for a cup of tea and a chat!

I believe listening to our elders is an opportunity to learn; all the wisdom, the skills and the stories that get passed on, that’s learning like it used to be, where knowledge was passed from generation to generation.

I really do enjoy the company of elders and one in particular. Let me introduce you to my 80 year old, widowed neighbour, Bryan.

He was married for 52 years and I only really started talking to Bryan when I became single a few years after his wife died.

We used to say “hello” and the usual pleasantries, then one day we chatted a bit longer over the wall between us. To be honest I was probably just putting off going into the house to face the squealing children, but it sparked a little connection between us.

Anyway, the little “hellos” continued and when December arrived I had some spare advent calendars which I gave to Bryan to give to the children.

Every day after school they would want to go and see Bryan, have a chat and most importantly have a chocolate. The children would muck about, interested in all or Bryan’s trinkets, and Bryan and I would have a bit of a natter about nothing and everything.

As the winter progressed we’d come back after school, cold from the park and I’d say to the children “go and see Bryan and get warm” (he always has his heating on full blast). I’d then fall into my house, laden with bags and buggy, light the fire, get the pasta on and I’d come back with a cup of tea and the timer. When the timer for supper went we said our goodbyes and went home.

By the time we had trotted back, the children had thawed out, Bryan had had has some cheerful company, our supper would be ready and our fire would be roaring.

Needless to say, we as a family now spend a lot of time with Bryan.

When I feel challenged by modern day life he brings me down a peg or two. I start complaining about the size of my house with the three children, he politely reminds me how he and his wife raised their four children (one of whom died in a car crash at 19) in a house the same size as mine with only a back yard in which they loved to play.

He talks of his family trips to the coast; taking his work van and putting their sofa in the back for his children to sit on! How they would meet other families and have marvellous feasts on the beach; Bryn always making the best fried onions of course! He recounts these tales time and time again. I don’t mind listening, as I know it brings him joy to reminisce about the past.

He doesn’t talk about the flash car he drove or the amount of money he earned. He talks of all the happy times; the mischievous experiences he had in his youth with friends, the the dinners he loved to cook for his family, the three jobs he worked to pay his way, the holidays he took with his wife later in life to countries like Greece and Turkey which were so exotic to him. I wonder as you enter the winter of your life, when your future looks short and unknown, do you begin to simply look back to the life that you have lived? One hopes that you are one of the lucky ones to look back and smile.

I take such comfort from Bryans company.

I think it is the fact that he is no longer proving, or performing, or perfecting his life like most of us our today. He has suffered great sadness in his life but he lives to tell the tale and even though his life appears very small now, he struggles to walk far and doesn’t leave the house often, he has contentment and peace in his life.

How I wish I could feel that.

I wonder does that contentment only come with age or can we learn it young? He has no idea how much he gives me by simply being there, day in day out, without judgement and always a smile. My grandparents are long gone, so to have Bryan is such a joy. The stability I feel of knowing that he’s looking out for me and my children is priceless. He gives the gift of time. I ask is there a greater gift?

Often it takes a celebration like this weekend to make time in our busy lives to get together with family and friends. High days can encourage us to take stock and think about what’s important, but should it really take the queen being on the thrown for 70 years to make us prioritise experiences with family, friends, or even neighbours?

I say let’s not wait till we are 80 to realise that these simple every day interactions and experiences are what make up our lives, it’s not the standing at the alter or holding your baby for the first time, they are just big events that get thrown in along the way, it’s the everyday “hello” to neighbours that makes the world go round. So let’s see if we can find a little jubilee celebration in every day and start saying “hello”.

Top 5 Spots for Wild Swimming in Wales

It wasn’t until I started cold water swimming in April 2014 that I began to realise how lucky I was to live in a part of the world that had so many amazing wild swimming locations.

Lakes, coast, and waterfalls, you name it – north Wales has it.

So, whether you love the freedom of the salty open seas or the clear waters of lakes with majestic mountain backdrops, you’ll find one you love amongst my favourite wild swimming locations.

Laura’s top five wild swimming spots in Wales

5. Llyn Idwal, Snowdonia

In the oldest National Nature Reserve in Wales, you will find a bowl-shaped hollow filled with crystal clear waters.

The walk up and around is a three mile loop, but once you have climbed the stepped path up, you will not be disappointed.

The site is world famous for its rock formations and its rare and fragile plant life, so please do take care and leave nothing but your footprints and take nothing but photographs.

Top tip: All year round the water is freezing.

4. Porth Ceriad, Llyn Peninsula

A stunning often deserted beach down a rocky cliff face.

As you come over the headland you see the expanse of beach before you, often waves rolling in when the wind is onshore.

Steep steps lead you down to the beach, enjoy a walk along then take a dip.

There are no facilities here.

Top tip: First thing in the morning it is often deserted.

3. Newborough Beach, Anglesey

Beautiful stretch of beach across the west coast of Anglesey, looking across to Snowdonia, and backed by dunes and woodland. Plenty of parking,

If you go when the tide is out, you can walk along the beach to Llanddwyn Island, walk as far as the lighthouse and discover the coves and hidden beaches.

Our guests love it here and are blown away by the panoramic views

Top tip: Walk out to the lighthouse to discover the coves and hidden beaches.

2. Llyn Padarn, Snowdonia

Nestled beneath Mount Snowdon, it is one of the most photographed lakes in Snowdonia.

There are many ways to enter the cool waters of Padarn, but take care as the slate rocks can be quite sharp.

The lagoons offer a sheltered stretch of water for beginners, and on the far side from the lagoons you can walk to large rocks that jut out into the lake, and jump in off them. The water is so clear you see all the rocks and slate beneath.

The length of the lake is 3.2km, a great challenge might be to swim the length or take the mini train to one end and swim back.

Top tip: Avoid bank holidays, it gets very busy.

1. Plas Cadnant, Anglesey

Walk down through the hidden gardens of Plas Cadnant, listen for the water and follow the sound.

Amongst the ancient trees you will see a beautiful waterfall flowing into a plunge pool. It’s big enough to do laps should you wish or lie back and float with the afternoon sun beaming down through the trees on your face.

Top tip: Step across the red jasper rocks and plunge in!