Fitness Tips

How To Rest & Recharge

Something that occurred to me relatively recently is that I’m a classic blend between extrovert and introvert – I have very extroverted tendencies, but also quite introverted. And what was really eye opening to me, is when someone explained the difference between the two.

An extrovert isn’t someone who loves to be at parties and is always shouting their heads off and an introvert isn’t the quiet one that never comes out of their shell. But, an introvert is somebody who recharges by being alone and an extrovert is someone who recharges by being with other people. That’s the true definition of it. And having heard that, I realised that one of the ways I recharge is predominantly by being alone. It’s not by socialising – that’s where I expend my energy. Once I twigged onto this, (which is quite funny that I have suddenly found this out in my mid-forties! But it’s changed the game for me a bit).

I’ve really pared down my diary in terms of evening engagement. That’s when I really like to recharge and then I expend all the energy I have to expend during the day, whatever’s needed – but I like to come back, stay home and recharge in the evenings.

It’s an observation I’ve since made amongst people that my company interacts with, and I interact with people who are mostly overscheduled. Have a think about how you recharge, and if it is being alone, if it is in the evenings where you get to recharge your batteries and rest and recuperate – have a look and see if you can thin out your diary a little bit to reflect that. But also think about what it is that helps you to recharge? Is it gardening? Is it reading? Is it doing something for others? Is it just spending time on your own?

Whatever it is, really tap into it so that you fully understand and then make sure you’re doing enough of it throughout the week so you can get that recuperation and that rest that you need. When we think about rest, we tend to think of Fitness tips with Leanne Spencer | www.bodyshotperformance.com

it as sitting down and doing nothing, watching television, lying in bed, or sleeping in. Yes, they are all forms of rest, but I want to open your mind to the different forms of rest that there are. What is underappreciated around rest is that it can be very active. For example, light forms of exercise; walking, a very gentle jog, or yoga can be rest. Also, indulging your hobbies and your passions. I think that's what a lot of people don't appreciate.

Rest is where you're resting the mind, getting some parasympathetic dominance. The part of the nervous system that helps us to rest, repair, and digest. Something that warms the heart, or what I like to call heartfulness - something we really love, that has strong connection and meaning and purpose for you, and that's going to be very individual to you.

So, think about what fills you with that warming, that makes you relax, that makes you feel like you've got space in the day for yourself and you feel recharged doing that thing.

And look to your diary and make sure you've got plenty of that scheduled in. It really is as simple as that. Photo: Max van den Oetelaar on unsplash.com

Free Design, Planning & Quotation by appointment

Tuesdays 3, 10, 17, 24 & 31 March: Knit & Stitch Group 3-5pm. A group for seasoned knitters as well as for those wanting to learn a new skill, including mending their own clothes. Men, women, children and young people of all abilities welcome. Free of charge. Light refreshments available. St Clement with St Peter Dulwich, Barry Road/Friern Road entrances. Tuesdays 3, 10, 17, 24 & 31 March: Peter’s Dance Club 8 – 9pm, New Beginners class in Latin American & Ballroom dancing. Everybody welcome, no partner needed. £10 each, pay per week. St Stephen’s Church, College Road, SE21 7HW. Peter on 07946 596770.

Tuesday 3 March Honor Oak WI – Ceilidh Night 7.30pm. Come and dance away those winter blues, or just enjoy the music of our lovely ceilidh band. Tea, coffee, cake, fun and friendship. All women welcome – your first visit is free. Lodge Cafe, entrance in Northwood Road directly behind Stanstead Lodge, 260 Stanstead Road, SE23 1DD. Tuesday 3 March: Jon Newman – Vanishing Act: The Smaller Rivers of South London 7pm-8.30pm. Join local historian and author Jon Newman as he talks about the underground rivers of South London. The Effra, the Peck, the Heathwall and the Falcon Brook now all run in underground sewers, but their presence has shaped the suburban development of the area and played a defining role in the history of South London. Even now, when supposedly safely out of sight, they continue to impact the lives of people living south of the Thames. Dulwich Books, 6 Croxted Road, West Dulwich, SE21 8SW. £5 (Admission) / £10 (Admission + a copy of The Heathwall). Tickets available via Eventbrite.

Instagram Workshops

Learn how to use Instagram for your business and create a workable Social Media Strategy! Wednesday 4 March 10am - 1pm Instagram for Complete Beginners at Space at 61, Nunhead Perfect if you’re just starting out on your Instagram journey! Friday 27th March 10am - 3pm Create A Social Media Strategy for your Business at a North Dulwich venue. Perfect if you’re new to Social Media or you want to revisit your strategy! These workshops are run by Anna from hellosocial.media. For further information and bookings email: anna@hellosocial.media

Wednesday 4 & 18 March: Breathe Yourself to a Happier Life 10.15am – 11.45am. Come and learn a simple and easy to use breath technique that can support you in all areas of your life: reduced stress and anxiety; increased energy; improved detoxification; deep sense of calm and relaxation; feel more centred and balanced; stronger connection to others; greater clarity of thought; better sleep pattern. Telegraph Hill Centre, Pepys Road, SE14 5TY. www.schoolforwellbeing.com. Wednesdays 4, 11, 18 & 25 March: Goose Green Coffee Morning We meet every Wednesday from 10:30 until 12:00 at St. John’s Church by Goose Green. Come and meet others over tea, coffee and cake. Find us at 62a East Dulwich Road SE22 9AT. On the 2nd Wednesday of each month there will also be a short talk given by an interesting speaker.

Wednesday 4 March: Club Naija Supper Club 7pm. Modern Nigerian supper club held on the first Wednesday of each month. A five course tasting menu of traditional dishes reimagined with a modern twist, to the sound of naija pop and afrobeats. £35 per person, book online at clubnaija.co.uk. Grounds & Grapes 41 Honor Oak Park SE23 1DZ. Wednesdays 4, 11, 18 & 25 March: Dulwich Runners Club 7.15pm (for 7.30pm). We have various groups that run between 4 and 10 miles on different routes each week. There are groups for a variety of paces to suit all levels of ability from beginners, those looking to build on the parkrun bug to experienced racers. Guests are very welcome. The Club House has shower and changing facilities, off road parking and a bar offering hot and cold drinks for post run socialising. For more details please visit our website. Edward Alleyn Clubhouse, 83-85 Burbage Road, SE24 9HD.

Wednesday 4 March: East Dulwich WI Meeting 7pm for 7.30pm. The Lodge, above East Dulwich Tavern, 1 Lordship Lane, East Dulwich, SE22 8EW. 7pm for a 7.30pm start. The EDWI is currently open for new members. Why not try us out – you can come along to 3 meetings before committing yourself (£3 fee per night). Email us at edwicommittee@eastdulwichwi.co.uk or visit www.eastdulwichwi.co.uk. Wednesdays 4 & 18 March: Breathe Yourself to a Happier Life 7.30-9pm. Come and learn a simple and easy to use breath technique that can support you in all areas of your life: reduced stress and anxiety; increased energy; improved detoxification; deep sense of calm and relaxation; feel more centred and balanced; stronger connection to others; greater clarity of thought; better sleep pattern. www.schoolforwellbeing.com. Station Hall Herne Hill, Railton Road, Herne Hill SE24 0JW.

Thursdays 5, 12, 19 & 26 March: BNI Adventurers 6.45am-8.30am. Are you looking to grow your business? We have kept £9.4million in the local economy this year alone. We’ve changed the way the world does business……now it Dulwich’s turn. Please contact Hayley on 07843 989728 for more information. Fifty Seven, 57 North Cross Road, East Dulwich SE22 9ET. www.facebook.com/adventurersbni/ Thursdays 5, 12, 19 & 26 March: Coffee Morning We meet in a warm church to drink good coffee, eat delicious cake and chat about life/work/ family. FREE. The event is wheelchair accessible, child and pet friendly St Clement with St Peter Dulwich, Barry Road / Friern Road entrances.

Thursdays 5, 12, 19 & 26 March: Dulwich Folk Dance Club (Country Dancing) 8–10pm or 10.30pm on special party nights. St Barnabas Parish Hall, Gilkes Place, Dulwich Village SE21 7BT. Dust off those dancing shoes and come country dancing. Exercise for mind and body and lots of fun. No partner or experience necessary: We guide you through the dances. Just come along and make new friends. Wendy 020 8769 9832; John 020 8693 2873 / johnhblase@aol.com • 5 Caller- Michelle Odell • 12 Caller- Jane Lowe • 19 Caller- Carol Hewson- St Patrick’s Day • 26 Caller-Sue Hastings Thurs 5 March: EnSEmble 26 EnSEmble 26 is a collective of musicians devoted to sharing their love of music through worldclass concerts and community outreach projects. Tom Norris and Alastair Blayden play regularly with the London Symphony Orchestra, as well as being leading chamber musicians. They will be performing Beethoven’s ‘Ghost Trio’ and a late string quartet. For all events book your £15 tickets at www.stchristophers.org.uk/tickets or call 020 8768 4500 to reserve them. FREE ENTRY FOR PATIENTS. Tickets include canapés and a glass of wine during the interval. All events take place at St Christopher’s Hospice, 51-59 Lawrie Park Rd, Sydenham, London SE26 6DZ. 22

Fridays 6, 13, 20 & 27 March: Magpie Arts Run by Sue Bennett. 4-5pm (except school holidays). Gently guided creative art classes for children 6-11 years. Held at FCWellbeing Café on Melbourne Grove, SE22, next to ED station. Places limited to 8 per class. £13 per child including sketchbook and all materials. First class taster price of £5. Instagram – Magpiearts_15. To book please email suebennett181@gmail.com. Fridays 6, 13, 20 & 27 March: Lewisham Under Water Hockey Club 7.15pm-9pm. Forest Hill pools on every Friday evening. It’s free to try-out then £5. Ages: 10 to 85. All equipment is supplied along with training. This is a friendly non-profit Club. After our 1.5 hour game, the group go to a club house opposite the pools. At 9.30pm – food and Green Tea. Contact Alan 020 8699 2412 / 07948 706112.

Friday 6 March: All That Jazz 7pm. Link Age Southwark’s annual All That Jazz fundraiser is back for its 9th year! Join the local charity for a wonderful evening of music performed by students from JAGs, Kingsdale, Dulwich College and more. There will be a bar and raffle on the night. Cash and card payments accepted. Tickets £10 per person available via: www.linkagesouthwark.org/Event/all-that-jazz. Holst Hall, JAGS, 144 East Dulwich Grove, SE22 8TE Saturdays 7 & 14 March: Southwark Adult Learning A great chance to try Pottery, sewing, carving, printmaking, life drawing, creative writing and even acoustic guitar playing! Full details at www. southwark.gov.uk/adultlearning. Thomas Calton Centre, Alpha street, SE15 4NX. 020 7358 2100.

Peckham Rye & Dulwich Park Parkrun

Saturday Mornings 9am

7, 14, 21, & 28 March A FREE weekly timed 5k run, which is open to all standards of runners; it is not a race. PECKHAM RYE start is near the Colyton Road entrance of Peckham Rye park and run three laps of the gardens. www.parkrun.org.uk/peckhamrye DULWICH PARK start is Queen Mary's Gate on the south side of the park. This is the entrance on the South Circular (A205), Dulwich Common. www.parkrun.org.uk/dulwich

Sunday 8 March: The Neighbourhood Walk Fun! Fitness & Fresh Air! 10am Come and join your local community on a walk around the Nunhead Circular (5.5 miles.) Bring your friends, neighbours and families to this fun social event. An opportunity to meet new people, make more friends and get to know your neighbours. Meeting Place: Outside Nunhead railway station (congregate on the corner opposite ‘The Nunhead Gardener’). The walk ends at the Old Nun’s Head, for a well-deserved post walk drink. Everyone welcome, Please RSVP: theneighbourhoodwalk@gmail.com so we know how many to expect. We look forward to seeing you there.

Sunday 8 March: Singaround at The Ivy House Hosted by The Goose Is Out! All are welcome, whether to sing or to listen. It’s an informal and supportive atmosphere, so don’t worry if it’s your first time! Songs of any country or culture welcome. Door 7pm. Singing starts 7.15pm prompt, finishes by 10.30pm at the latest. £3 on the door. www.thegooseisout.com. Monday 9 March: Dulwich WI 7.30pm. For more information please contact Sue Jarvie on suejarvie53@gmail.com. Dulwich Hamlet Football Club, Champion Hill Stadium, Edgar Kail Way, London SE22 8BD. Wednesday 11 March: This Too Shall Pass: Stories of Change, Crisis and New Beginnings by Julia Samuel

7.30pm. If change is the natural order of things, why do many of us feel ill-equipped to deal with it? In This Too Shall Pass, acclaimed psychotherapist Julia Samuel draws on hours of conversations with her patients to show how we can learn to adapt and thrive during our most difficult and transformative experiences. Illuminated by the latest social and psychological research, This Too Shall Pass unflinchingly deals with the hard times in family, love, work, health and identity. The Lower School Atrium, Alleyn’s School, Townley Road, East Dulwich, SE22 8SU. Tickets £10/£8. https://mct.alleyns.org.uk

Wednesday 11 March: Goose Green Coffee Morning Guest speaker: Florence Eshalomi – Labour Assembly Member for Lambeth and Southwark. 10:30 - 12:00 at St. John’s Church by Goose Green. Come and meet others over tea, coffee and cake. 62a East Dulwich Road SE22 9AT. Wednesday 11 March: Open Mornings @ Rosemead 9:30am – 11:00am. A chance to see the ‘inner workings’ of our school. You will have the opportunity to speak with staff, parents and governors as well as being escorted on tours by our students. You can begin your Open Day visit at either the Pre-Prep School (40A Thurlow Park Road, Dulwich, SE21 8HZ) or the Prep School (70 Thurlow Park Road, Dulwich, SE21 8HZ). Places do not need to be pre-booked for Open Mornings.

Thursday 12 March: The Illusioneer Presents March Magic Mix Show starts at 8pm. Doors open from 6pm. Hosted at Belair House is a compendium of close up, casino magic, parlour magic and magical games presented by our eclectic team of talented Illusioneers. Tickets £20 via Eventbrite. Food and drink available throughout the evening. Belair House, Gallery Road, SE21 7AB. Thursday 12 March: The Arts Society Dulwich illustrated lecture The Ancient Greek Olympics – a Visitor’s Guide. 7.30 for 8pm, James Allen’s Girls’ School Sixth Form Centre (parking via Green Dale). Nonmembers £9 at the door, no booking needed. www.theartssocietydulwich.org.uk Friday 13 March: Live Band Karaoke Doors and signups from 7.30pm. Live Band Karaoke offers wannabe singers the thrill of fronting up a live band, in stage. Like regular karaoke on steroids! Pick from around 300 songs, from all genres. Tickets £4 (advance) or £5 (door). Ivy House, Stuart Road, SE15. www.livebandkaraoke.london 44