Show Yourself Some Love In 2025
We've just celebrated Valentine’s Day and whether or not you have a loved one to spoil, don’t forget it’s always important – whatever the day of the year – to look after yourself too. Here are some great things to do in Kent & Sussex to boost your mood and look after your wellbeing.
Image Photo by Janosch Diggelmann on Unsplash
Get back to nature
Being outdoors and embracing nature is well known for improving our mood and wellbeing. While simply making some time to go for a walk will do you the world of good in itself, there are also lots of events locally that you can take part in. Tansy in the Wild offer the mindfulness-based practise of forest bathing in a variety of locations in Kent, such as in Hever where you can take part in “a blissful 3-hour workshop that includes a 40-minute gentle Qigong session, suitable for all levels and complete beginners, followed by some deeply tranquil forest bathing. The morning finishes with herbal and wild teas, snacks and a closing gratitude circle with a firepit”. Meanwhile Kent Wildlife Trust offer six-week wellbeing programmes for those who may be feeling lonely or isolated, which will show you the benefits nature has to offer in a group setting. Sussex Wildlife Trust also offers a range of activities, including a Weekly Wellbeing Walk.
Make time for some exercise
Exercising is good for both body and soul, as being active releases chemicals in your brain which will boost your mood. Not only is exercising a distraction from anything that may be on your mind, it also helps boost your self esteem through achieving your goals. Having engaged in exercise during the day, it will also help to improve your sleep, which will in turn boost your energy and mood for the next day – and so on it goes. If you are looking to join a gym, there are council partnership leisure centres such as Freedom Leisure in Uckfield, Hailsham and Crowborough, The Gym in Tonbridge or Tunbridge Wells Sports Centre. There are also private gyms such as Isenhurst in Crowborough or Pure Gym in Canterbury. And if you want to get sociable, or need some extra motiviation, why not join a class at one of the centres?
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Get cooking
Forget about putting that ready made meal in the oven, cooking a dish from scratch can give you a sense of achievement as well as a meal. This activity not only feeds your stomach but your wellbeing too. If you’re nor confident in giving it a go by yourself, joining a cookery class offers the chance to learn a skill, be social and meet new people, gain confidence and so much more. Kent Cookery School in Ashford offers a variety of courses, from bread-making to Mexican street food, plus they also have a curry club which they say is an exciting evening course that makes for a great night out. Over the border in Sussex there is Brighton Cookery School where their philosophy is learn, cook, eat. From sushi to pasta perfection there are a variety of courses and they even offer lessons in knife skills, so you can learn how to prep your veg, fish and meat too. Knowing what ingredients are going into your meals also means you have control over ensuring the health benefits of your dishes.
Take some time out to relax
Sometimes it’s just good to spoil yourself. Taking a step away from the day-to-day routine and getting some relaxation could be just the tonic you need. Consider booking a spa retreat where you can simply relax by the pool reading a book, or book yourself in for a treatment. Many hotels offer spa packages where you can have a night away, treatments, dinner cooked for you and then a full English breakfast in the morning. Or you can just book yourself in for a treatment in the day. In Sussex, Ashdown Park Hotel has it’s Forest Spa with a range of experiences as well as use of the country club or there’s the Crowne Plaza Felbridge where you will find Chakra Spa. While in Kent there is Eastwell Manor in Ashford with its heavenly spa cocoon or Rowhill Grange Hotel & Utopia Spa near Dartford offering a countryside retreat.
Join a club
Being sociable is really important for our wellbeing, something we particularly became aware of during lockdown. So if you feel you are not getting out and about and meeting people enough why not join a club? There are lots of local groups for all sorts of interests, from art and photography to walking or even cold water swimming. For those who are semi-retired or retired there are Probus clubs throughout Kent & Sussex for people to get together and socialise as well as u3a groups. Think about joining your local social club, where you will have chance to get to know the people living in your town. For a variety of clubs in your area check out your local council’s website which will have a directory of clubs near you. Or if you have time, why not volunteer for a local charity, they are often looking for people to help out in local shops or fundraise.
Visit a gallery
Immersing yourself in art through a trip to a gallery or museum not only offers you a day out and a new experience but also the chance to connect with visual artwork created by other people’s emotions. The arts help us to foster our creativity and reduce stress. Take the opportunity to reflect on what you see means to you and how it makes you feel. Then once back at home you may choose to try to express your feelings through your own art. In the same way you may choose words instead, and write down how you are feeling. Galleries in Kent and Sussex include the Turner Contemporary in Maragte, The Beaney House of Art & Knowledge in Canterbury and the De La Warr Pavilion in Bexhill-on-Sea.
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