L I V E
W E L L
AUGUST 2018
ISSUE 27 BALANCE.MEDIA
PROCRASTINATION HOW TO AVOID IT WHEN ROCK BOTTOM IS A GOOD P LACE TO BE LONDON START-UPS COOKING UP A STORM
Denze l THE EQ UA LIZER F IN DS BA LA N CE
CONTENTS
Welcome
RE GU LA R S
In life, it is said it’s the difficult experiences that allow us to develop and no, I don’t mean being squeezed, sardine-style, onto the Northern Line. That is one sadly unavoidable necessity no zen master can ever hope to, well, master. I’m talking about the encounters that shake you to the very core; those encounters that force you to challenge exactly who you think you are, and ask you to seriously reconsider the way you’ve constructed your life. The good news is there is a very simple solution, because travel (yes, even outside of the M25!) has a wonderful way of doing just that. Our generation now champions experiences over material possessions. Why? Because, unlike material wealth, experiences become a part of you. As has been oft quoted, we are, after all, the sum total of our experiences. With the UK reaching record temperatures this year, summer offers myriad opportunities to change pace and step away from the monotony of the daily grind. I hope you have - and continue to have - adventures that pave the way for new ideas. Sophie Scott Editor COVER PHOTOGRAPHY: GETTY IMAGES/MAARTEN DE BOER. EDITOR’S PHOTOGRAPHY: IAKOVOS KALAITZAKIS
editor@balance.media
balance.media
@balanceLDN
@balanceldn
WO RK/LIFE 16 DENZEL WASHINGTON IS OUR LEADING MAN
BO DY/SOU L 21 PUT OFF PUTTING THINGS OFF
PSYC HOLOGY 24 BOUNCE BACK FROM ROCK BOTTOM
FO OD 31 BRING THE HOLIDAY VIBE BACK HOME 33 TAME YOUR TRAVEL TUMMY 34 THE START-UPS MAKING IT BIG
TRAVEL 36 THE SWISS WAY TO IRON OUT WRINKLES
A RTS/ C U LTU RE 39 DAVID SPADE’S SECRET TO PLAYING THE LONG GAME
THE BALANCE EQUATION
BE PRESENT
6 GOOD NEWS 46 AGE WITH ELEGANCE
BEAUTY / G ROOM IN G GAIN INSIGHT
LAUGH
FEAR
LIVE WELL
EDITORIAL
TRADING
Head of Finance Kate Lyon
Editor Sophie Scott
Commercial Director Minal Bhima
Licensing Jonathan Marks
Deputy Editor James Gill
Advertising Paul Brett, Nick Canane, Stefanie Daniels, Lindi De Souza, Jeremy Saunders
PA to Publisher/Managing Director Filippa Woolf
Production Editor Jonathan Sever Creative Director Kate Monument Art Director Victoria Ireland
Creative Partnerships Rashad Braimah, Hussain Chowdhury
Deputy Art Editor Jade Cooper-Collins
Publisher/Managing Director Daniel Cuby
CIRCULATION AND DISTRIBUTION Magazine Heroes circulation@balance.media
Balance Publishing Ltd, Laser House, 132-140 Goswell Road, Clerkenwell, London EC1V 7DY
Website & Social Media Manager Georgia Shepheard
BALANCE PUBLISHING LTD
Tel 020 8444 3401
Digital Creative Producer Henry Mame
Editorial Director Rashmi Madan
Production Director Dahlia Cuby Thanks to Libby Williams Digital Director Callum McGeoch
Executive Editor Morgan Rees
August 2018 BA LA N CE
43 PROTECT YOURSELF AND THE ENVIRONMENT 45 SAVE YOUR SKIN FROM DIGI DAMAGE
BALAN C E Balance Copyright of editorial contents are held by Balance Publishing Ltd. The views expressed in this publication are not necessarily those of the publisher. Reproduction in whole or part is forbidden except with the express permission of the publisher. It is not the intention to print any matter that discriminates on the grounds of race, sex,sexuality or disability. All details, and prices, are correct at the time of going to press. The Balance equation is a device and not mathematically correct.
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August
GOOD NEWS
TWEET ‘I love your editorial so much. My perfect antidote to a crazy world. Keep up the good work’ @lottiemurphy_
TWEET ‘It’s all about Balance: consistently great magazine’ @CKGoldiing
Medicinal cannabis rolls up, free transport plans and mental health becomes part of school education
Food
Transport
THE LAST SUPPER
Imagine if London had free public transport. Your annual savings would mean a free holiday. In Estonia, they’ve just completed a month of free public transport, and it was such a success it could become permanent. A spokesman says: “We hope it gives people a reason to use their car less.” Paris and Wales could be next.
Education VALUABLE LESSON
?
Little of what you learned at school is transferable to adult life, but that’s about to change with news that the Department Of Education is to make health lessons compulsory; children across primary and secondary schools will be taught about mental health and wellbeing. No word on lessons in mortgages, office politics or pretending to like Love Island.
Medicine NEW HIGH “I’m a mum who was fighting to give my son his life back.” These are the stirring words of Karen Gray, the 43-yearold mother who has successfully campaigned to make medicinal cannabis available on the NHS. “Murray has a rare form of epilepsy and can have up to 12 seizures a day,” adds Karen. “I knew medicinal cannabis could help and was determined to make it available.” Karen extends her thanks to the 240,000 people who signed her petition, and the 25,000 who emailed the Home Secretary. “Thank you from the bottom of my heart. Together we have done something incredible. It’s not just my little boy’s life we’ve changed, but so many more across the UK.”
Health BIG IS BEAUTIFUL Obesity doesn’t necessarily mean a risk to mortality, found research at York University. “Most studies have defined metabolic healthy obesity as having up to one metabolic risk factor,” explains Jennifer Kuk, a professor at the School of Kinesiology and Health Science. More than 54,000 men and women took part.
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Environment FUME WITH A VIEW Sadiq Khan is looking to tackle London’s air pollution by installing a network of 100 multiparameter AQMesh air quality monitors across the capital. Working in tandem with two Google Street View cars, it means air pollution will be monitored in almost forensic detail. Of the war on air pollution, Mark Watts of C40, the firm behind the monitors, says: “London is already a world leader in responding to this global threat and with this initiative it will set a new global standard for how street level air quality monitoring can inform strategic policy making.”
WORDS: JAMES GILL IMAGES: SHUTTERSTOCK
FREE WHEELING
A cheeky late meal in front of Family Guy is fine, right? No, it could be killing you. Those who eat dinner before 9pm are 20% less likely to get breast or prostate cancer compared to those who eat after 10pm, according to a new International Journal of Cancer study. “Disruption of your body clock and reduced ability to process glucose are possible mechanistic factors linking late-night eating to cancer risk,” says researcher Catherine Marinac.
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N AV I G AT I O N S L U G
October 2017 BA LA N CE
7
YO U R E S S E N T I A L H A N D B O O K
The 1.7 million
user guide
Women and girls aged five and over playing football each month, according to the FA’s latest figures
rebalance SIX STEPS TO BRINGING IT HOME
Be Kind
BRAZIL-IANT BOOTS NIKE MERCURIAL VAPOR XII ELITE
TRACK & FIELD PLAYR Who says wearables are just for runners? Boasting features to give VAR a run for its money, PLAYR tracks enough metrics (speed, distance, intensity) to mark out the Sunday league from the Super Sunday. playertek.com/gb/ playertek
Neymar teased his signature version while rolling around at the World Cup, but don’t let that put you off. These beauties are lightweight yet durable, and the matte swoosh lets you manipulate the ball with every shot. nike.com
COMPILED BY: JAMES GILL, ILLUSTRATION: RAMI NIEMI
by BERNADETTE RUSSELL CAN YOU KICK IT? YES, YOU CAN ADIDAS MICOACH SMART BALL Want to strike shots like Lionel Messi, but you’re more Lionel Richie? The MiCoach ball’s sensor and app combo tells you where you’re going wrong. “Hello, is it goals you’re looking for?” adidas.co.uk
PADDING IT OUT STORELLI PROTECTIVE WEAR
FIT IS THE NEW ORANGE LUCOZADE SPORT FITWATER Imagine you’ve just sweated buckets during the first 45 minutes. Lucozade Sport FitWater’s active elements ensure you don’t suffer a second-half shutdown. lucozadesport.com/ products/fit-water
ANXIETY DETOX
Despite T-800 physiques, footballer injuries are as likely as Columbian foul play. Brooklyn new kids Storelli (with brand ambassador Jesse Lingard) tackles the issue with preventative sportswear including sliders (or, in other words, bionic pants). storelli.com
HOME TIME ENGLAND AT WEMBLEY Watching football is good for you as it stimulates the brain (even during close losses to Croatia). Get involved in the revived feel-good factor and see the Three Lions’ World Cup wonders in the flesh with their Wembley homecoming against Spain. 8 September, thefa.com
August 2018 BA LA N CE
O
ne major cause of anxiety for me is feeling overwhelmed by digital information. I’m pretty careful to engage with positive stories and news sources, as connecting with uplifting people and organisations helps enormously with my mental health and happiness. Be kind to yourself by muting feeds that promote anxiety or sadness, and actively seek out those which make you feel uplifted, positive and hopeful. Also, it’s OK to take time out every so often. Recently I felt anxious and overwhelmed by an endless ‘to do’ list, so I went to meet a friend and spent the day at the city farm. It felt a little reckless, but I had a fabulous day, a great chat and returned to my tasks inspired. In the end I got everything done, as my day cleared my head, soothed my nerves and made me more efficient. So leave your phone at home, take a picnic to the park – give yourself a micro-mini break. The Little Book of Kindness by Bernadette Russell (£7.99, Orion Spring) is out now
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the manual
The
QUIZ
WHich festival are you? Your preference in music genres is linked to your personality. So, as Basement Jaxx once said, where’s your head at?
words by DALE TAILOR props by REBECCA NEE photography by HEN RY MAME
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FA C E T H E M U S I C
ta k e
There are distinct personality traits tied to the beats that get your feet tapping. The topic fascinated Doctor of Music Psychology Adrian North, who undertook a three-year study of 36,518 people across 60 countries that investigated 104 music styles and how these linked to personality. The report, conducted at Heriot-Watt University, found personality factors were related to both a liking for the musical styles and the participants’ reasons for listening to a music genre. “People do actually define themselves through music and relate to other people through it, but we haven’t known in detail how music is connected to identity,” Adrian says. What follows is a breakdown of his findings and how you can use it to yolk the perfect festival to your unique psychology.
st
the te
THE PERSONALITY FACTOR
THINKING OUT LOUD 1. You find making friends a piece of cake… Yes, only once they get to know me a little though. No questions, I get a kick out meeting new people. It can depend on what kind of person they are, but for the most part, yes. Of course yes, what’s not to love. Not always, sometimes it’s really tough.
A B C D E
2. When someone makes a controversial statement just to provoke a response… I’ll say nothing and go with the flow. I’ll voice my opinion so they know where I stand. I’ll quietly discuss why they feel that way to tease out their motivations. I don’t care – I’ll join them to stir the pot for a bit of fun. I’ll pretend I didn’t hear it, don’t want to rock the boat.
A B C D E
3. When faced with a problem my initial thought are… I’ll persevere at it until I crack it. If I can’t figure it out I’m confident my friends will be able to help me. I’m creative enough for the solution to present itself to me.
A B
D E
I’ve got this, don’t worry about it. I’ll think outside the box to find the best possible solution. 4. When things aren’t done as well as they should be, my typical response is… To feel a little nervous, but persist to make the situation right. I’ll find the right people who can help to fix it. I’ll calmly figure out how to rectify the situation creatively. My displeasure won’t be kept in – I’ll tell the person responsible. I’ll probably leave them as they are, things don’t have to be perfect.
A B C D E
5. In an emergency situation or crisis, my first reaction is… I’ll be nervous at first, but will persevere to find the best solution. Call for help from bystanders or emergency services. I’ll surmount the challenge calmly and gently. I’m confident the best solution will present itself to me. I’ll let someone else do it, they’ll probably be better than me.
A B C D E
C
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Tally up each letter you’ve chosen and see what it means over the page. Flip for your results!
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FA C E T H E M U S I C
the manual
The
RESULTS
y tl s o M
y tl s o M
y tl s o M
s
y tl s o M
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POP MUSIC LOVER
DANCE MUSIC
SOUL MUSIC
RAP AND HIP HOP
You have a high sense of self-esteem and are very hard working – the snappy beats of the charts probably offer a little help with your prolific productivity. You’re more likely to be very outgoing and have a strong compassion for others. You may not be extremely creative and can sometimes feel a little nervous, but on the whole you sound like a pretty great person to be around.
Being sociable is hardwired into your every fibre so a big festival with plenty of people is the perfect place for your personality. This doesn’t mean you’re easily swayed because you’re undoubtedly head strong and often very outgoing. You’re also pretty creative – a convenient skill when dressing up for the big night.
You’re typically the intellectual in the group which has given you a good sense of self-esteem. You’re also outgoing, creative and gentle around your fellow man. If there was an ideal dinner party guest, well it’s you.
Your character traits include some serious swagger thanks to your high selfesteem. This means you’re very outgoing and love to meet new people – the ideal person to hang with at a festival. Your only downfall is that you might not be ecofriendly – an easy fix if you make a few greener choices.
Try...
Rize Festival (17-18 August) If you’ve ever bobbed your head to it in the car or the club, you’ll hear it live here at Chelmsford. You’ll find acts such as Rita Ora, Sean Paul and Bastille will light up your ears with all of the landmark music you’ve always wanted to hear live. Visit: Rizefestival.co.uk
y tl s o M
Try
South West Four (25-26 August) With old school acts such as Dizzee Rascal and new age vibes from Galantis, all your electronic music needs will be comprehensively met here at Clapham Common. And if you’re after a few greats, Armand Van Helden and Benny Benassi will be thumbing the vinyl at top noise so your heels can kick up some divots. Visit: southwestfour.com
Try
Castell Roc Festival (16 August-2 September) If you’re after class and culture, look no further than enjoying the spirit of motown in a Welsh castle, Chepstow to be precise. The relaxed atmosphere will let you enjoy either blues or soul music from acts such as King King and Leo Sayer. Plus, you’ll get a taste of ska, reggae, funk and rock on all the surrounding supporting stages. Visit: castellroc.co.uk
Try
Reading Festival (24-26 August) If there was ever a hip hop performer that remotely compared to Kendrick Lamar, you can bet they aren’t rocking any of his Pulitzer prize bling. Enjoy the man’s super smooth lyrics and beats as he headlines this alongside a slew of other hip hop stars. Visit: readingfestival.com
THE DAY AFTER DETOX
s
INDIE MUSIC
Creativity is your forte, there’s no problem you can’t think your way out of in an imaginative way. This is especially useful considering how headstrong you are, but you can have low self-esteem and feel lethargic, too. However, rest is a great recovery asset on hangover days…
Try
Green Man Festival (16-19 August) If you think the best tunes come from those bands that haven’t sold out to the ‘lamestream’ – this is the place to be. Acts such as Fleet Foxes and Grizzly Bear do headline, but there are other blissfully obscure bands to discover. Visit: greenman.net
August 2018 BA LA N CE
The aftermath of a full festival can make you feel like you’ve rolled in self pity and deep fried in lifeless agony. Don’t give in to the desire to binge watch TV shows on recovery day. Instead, do some light exercise, no personal bests will come from today. The goal is to sweat slightly so you release the toxins and reset your circadian rhythm after the lack of sleep. If you’ve got no energy, feel free to power it up with an energy drink with taurine in it. Researchers at the University of London’s School of Pharmacy say taurine can reverse the liver damage caused by alcoholism or even a heavy night’s drinking. You may not be able to drink away your hangover, but this is one of the smarter solutions.
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First among equals The iconic Denzel Washington proves inspiring company as he muses upon longevity, how a woman in a beauty parlour changed his life and his firstever sequel in The Equalizer 2
words by JA M E S GILL photography by L O R EN Z O AG IU S 16
M
arch 27, 1975. The day started like any other for a then 20-year-old Denzel Washington, but it would turn out to be the day that changed his life. Struggling through college with dismal grades, Denzel was sitting in his mother’s beauty parlour in New York when a woman – apropos of nothing – looked at him and told the young man he would touch the lives of millions and travel the world. It lit a fire under the future two-time Oscar winner, inspiring him to pursue acting. As Denzel regales Balance about this life-changing moment, it’s enough to send a shiver down the spine. After all, we are chatting with one of cinema’s great icons and the experience proves utterly spellbinding. “I’d never thought about acting,” he says. “Never thought about it at all. Five months later, I was taking my first acting class. I’m still travelling the world now. I didn’t know what to think of it. It wasn’t like suddenly I was converted,
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BA LA N C I N G AC T
but as my life began to change, I thought more and more about what she said. “It was a process, not an overnight thing. The initial process was finding what it is I like to do and love, which was acting.” More than 40 years later, Denzel is one of the most universally adored actors of all time. The 63-year-old is funny, wise and inspiring company, even taking his status as beloved leading man in his stride. “It only inspires me to keep growing as an actor and a human being,” he says. On always being so gloriously positive, he adds: “One day at a time. You wake up in the morning with your bucket of self-esteem and everyone is waiting with their ladles to dip into it. You have to work at it every day. You’ve got to restart every day and be thankful to get through the day.” Was he born that way? He unleashes his big, beautiful, booming laugh – it’s a life-affirming guffaw that we get to hear a few times during our chat – and hits back: “Absolutely not! You start to figure things out and, as you get wiser, you simplify things. You start figuring out what you don’t need in your life.” The fact he’s been married to the same woman – Pauletta – for 35 years also helps. “I’m married. That alone will keep your head level,” he says. “No matter what I get through in the day – and it doesn’t matter how great I am out there – I’ve still got to come home at night. I take my work seriously, but don’t take myself seriously.”
THE LONG GAME Denzel’s new film, The Equalizer 2, is a scorcher. It’s his first-ever sequel, with ex-military man Robert McCall back to right wrongs and dish out justice. As the title suggests, it’s about restoring balance and equilibrium. McCall also takes on the role of mentor, scrubbing out graffiti in one scene while explaining to his protégé Miles Whittaker (Ashton Sanders): “Anybody could do it, but nobody does.” It’s Denzel and the filmmakers’ way of addressing the audience, to say we can all make a difference. “We do have an impact,” Denzel adds. “And sometimes it’s in small ways… You never know who you influence.” Most superstars tend to fade when they reach a certain age, but Denzel gets bigger and better. The Equalizer 2 proved yet another No1 hit when it opened in the US last month. So, how is it possible for his star to shine brighter than ever? “Real simple,” he says. “I’m still trying to get better. I’m still working at it. I haven’t arrived yet. “Just over a month ago, I closed a [theatre] production of Eugene O’Neill’s The Iceman Cometh. Four-plus hours. It was a beast. I love the theatre, and I started out in the theatre; it challenges you. It doesn’t care how famous you are!” He guffaws once more. “That’s my way of getting back to the basics, back to the gym, the drawing board. And I enjoy it. It’s that
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to see her do Richard III.” How about a dream pairing of Washington and Jackson? “Any time. Anywhere,” he beams. Theatre impresarios: please make it so. Up next will hopefully be another collaboration with Robert Zemeckis, who directed him to one of his nine Oscar nominations in the terrific study of addiction, Flight. “I’m talking with Bob Zemeckis, but there’s nothing set in stone just yet.” Denzel’s enthusiasm is contagious, and I effectively beg him to keep acting until he’s 110. “Why not? I don’t know about 110! Clint Eastwood had his biggest success at 84. American Sniper was his biggest-grossing movie as an actor or director at 84, so why not?” Why not indeed? At 63, Denzel looks and moves like a man half his age. “Well, I got good genes,” he explains, matter of factly. “When I was 30 I was still getting asked for ID; when I was young I didn’t like it. I also try and stay physical. I’ve been boxing for years and you’ve got to stay active,” he says, before murmuring, “although I’m heavy now.”
WASHINGTON WIZARD
The Equalizer 2 is Denzel’s third collaboration with director Antoine Fuqua, who says he’d love to cast his star man in a remake of Scarface
HOW TO BECOME A MENTOR
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relationship you have with an audience that you don’t get from a movie.” Would he ever come to London’s West End? “Yes, sure, absolutely,” he says. “I’ve been asked before and it hasn’t worked out. But absolutely.” An encounter with one of Britain’s finest actors also clearly left a mark. Denzel adds: “I used to see Glenda Jackson. She was doing Three Tall Women. She’s a character, boy! I heard her Lear was brilliant and I’d like
As spokesperson for Boys & Girls Clubs Of America (after-school programs for kids), real-life mentor Denzel urges us all to step up: “I’d encourage people not to think the experience you have to offer isn’t important.” These three UK variants offer the perfect platform to do just that…
Religion continues to provide Denzel’s bedrock, and I ask if faith helps him pick roles. “Sometimes I feel like that,” he says. “I pray for guidance. I don’t always get an answer. Someone said to me, God answers all prayers and sometimes the answer’s ‘no’.” He laughs again. “Just because you asked for it, doesn’t mean you’re going to get it. Or doesn’t mean you’re going to get what you thought. “I just go back to what my mother said: keep it simple. Don’t overcomplicate things. I’m an ordinary guy and I’ve got a good job and I’m trying to do the best I can. If it touches people in some way, then I’m doing my job.” So, did Denzel always know he was going to ‘make it’? “It goes back to where we started,” he explains, bringing the chat full circle. “To what that woman [in the parlour] said to me. As things started to unfold, I said, ‘Wow. Maybe this is what she was talking about.’ “I said to an old mentor maybe I should be preaching. They said, no, you’ve found your platform. You’re not preaching, but you have a voice for good. What’s the alternative? Who wants that? There’s enough of that going around already.” B The Equaliser 2 is in cinemas from 17 August
REACH OUT
SAFER LONDON
CHANCE UK
Partnering with disadvantaged schools, Reach Out pairs mentors with children aged 9-16 whom the school believes would benefit from having a positive role model reachoutuk.org
Many teens run the risk of joining gangs. This is where Safer London gets involved, to enable youths to thrive, avoid the wrong kinds of influence and fulfil their potential saferlondon.org.uk
This is focused on primary school pupils, with the mentor meeting their carefully selected pupil every week for a year, culminating in an end-of-year ceremony chanceuk.com
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PHOTOGRAPHY: SONY PICTURES RELEASING/LORENZO AGIUS
GUIDING LIGHT
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S T O P/ S TA R T
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Commit to doing a task and it’s not just your work life you’re helping words by AL EX HA RRI S
W
photography by MA X O P P E N H E IM
e’ve all been there: current you leaves mounting deadlines to future you but a week later, you are future you. Panic ignites your gut and you realise with sweat-inducing clarity you’re no more in the mood for putting together a 50-slide presentation than the week previous. Only caffeine will get you through this self-sabotage. In other words, you procrastinated. To behavioural economists, that means you signed a mental contract which valued immediate pleasure (doing sweet FA) over long-term success (doing work). Other academics would say you’re just not very
good at managing your priorities. Both camps would, in their own ways, be correct. But to a growing number of experts who study the health implications of procrastination, your mental gymnastics might be down to much deeper emotional triggers. What’s more, their research shows task-avoidance could be both symptomatic of, and responsible for, a whole host of maladies – from chronic stress and its secondary ailments (tension headaches, IBS, insomnia) to potentially fatal diseases. We won’t skirt the point: chronic procrastination could take years off your life and negatively affect its quality on
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S T O P/ S TA R T
a daily basis. Which is why, after almost succumbing to another Netflix binge, we got round to putting together this guide to overcoming it for good. Best not put off reading it. Unless you’ve got something more pressing to do…
WHAT IS PROCRASTINATION?
WHAT CAUSES PROCRASTINATION?
This is where things get complicated. The number of potential triggers could be even longer than your to-do list. But Dr Sirois’ work shows procrastinators often avoid tasks due to negative emotions tied-up in the processes. Fear of failure, for example, or fear of judgement. You might think you’re distracted because finishing your presentation is tedious, when in fact you’re subconsciously scared of your boss’ beady eye. “We’re wired to avoid pain and seek out pleasure,” says Sirois. “When you procrastinate and do something that makes you feel momentarily good, you get a reward. The problem is you never get to the source of the negative emotions that cause you to avoid the task in the first place.” That’s why we distract ourselves with TV, daydreaming, social media and WhatsApp chats.
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PUT OFF PUTTING IT OFF
REALIGN YOUR TEMPORAL SELF The more you avoid tasks, the more stressed you become. The more stressed you are, the more you avoid. If you think of your future self more, you’ll improve
Phones don’t help matters. Psychologists refer to the little dopamine hits you get from distractions like technology as ‘social temptations’. These are like mini sirens luring you off course, sinking productivity. Instagram scrolling is a vibrant neurochemical win when a stultifying task has been taking the colour out of your day. Your brain has no chance. What happens then is a mental trade off. “Procrastinators have difficulty thinking of their future selves,” says Sirois. “You think: I’m having a hard time, but next week me will be brilliant, will have all the ideas and willpower.”
HOW DO I OVERCOME IT? REPROGRAMME MENTAL EQUATIONS Setting up a reward for completing a task is counterproductive. Instead, don’t think about the outcome, which could be linked to a fear of failure. Think about breaking down the task and what you’ll learn from each step
REWARD YOURSELF Engaging in an enjoyable activity before you take on your task can increase willpower, but it shouldn’t be a hedonic activity. Instead do something emotionally rewarding, like swimming
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This underpins the procrastinator’s mindset. “The more psychologically different we feel from our temporal selves – whether it’s a past self we keep remembering or a future self we’re imagining – the more we see ourselves as not alike, and the more they feel less real,” says Sirois. “It’s easier to do that to a stranger.” “People who are future-oriented tend to associate with positive feelings – the broad and abstract. You’re not in that state when you’re stressed,” begins Sirois. “Imagining a positive outcome or reward can actually be less motivating. Your brain convinces itself it’s done, which makes it harder to get around to starting. You end up daydreaming about success instead of achieving it.” Ultimately it comes down to no longer kidding yourself there’s a superhuman version of you who’ll swoop in to save the day. Reconnect with the task at hand and exercise willpower like a muscle. And if you make only one change today, put ‘Place my phone in the other room’ at the top of your to-do list. Without removing today’s social temptations, you’ll never connect with tomorrow’s self. B
PHOTOGRAPHY: GETTY IMAGES
It could be any mix of myriad emotional and behavioural issues getting in the way of getting sh*t done. A distinction needs to be made clear from the outset, and crystally so: to put off work from time to time is normal. It’s when you procrastinate a lot, or indeed all the time, as the case may be, that you fall into the category of chronic procrastinator. “A lot of people think procrastination is just delaying things. But a colleague of mine explains it best: all procrastination is delay, but not all delay is procrastination,” says Dr Fuschia Sirois, a researcher at the University of Sheffield who specialises in the psychology of health, with a particular focus on the role procrastination plays on wellbeing. “There’s strategic, sagacious task-delay (re-prioritising for efficiency or reacting to a change in workflow) and that’s not procrastination,” says Sirois. “True, procrastination is deciding to avoid a task that’s necessary, something that you really intended to do – like writing a paper or finishing the gardening. It’s also a task that’s important to you, not something trivial. The last part of the definition, as we see it, is you procrastinate despite knowing you’ll be worse off; despite knowing there will be negative consequences for you or others.”
Break through from breakdown Don’t let mental wellbeing drag you down: your lowest ebb is the catalyst for a healthier mind words by JO BET T ERID G E photography by T T T U NA
T
hanks to a hugely successful mental health awareness campaign, we all know the ‘1 in 4’ statistic; a quarter of us experience mental health issues every year. We’ve seen countless social posts and memes on depression, anxiety and suicide but what about those who ‘come out the other side’? We rarely hear of people whose anxiety and depression are catalysts for positive change. For some, these issues force extreme lifestyle transformations and result in previously unimagined happiness. Their inspirational stories could well bring many of us hope and perhaps even expedite the first steps to recovery.
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RESET A professional will help you make sense of your reality, recognise negative patterns, re-frame your thoughts and suggest coping strategies. Your GP is a good place to start, but you’ll get a quicker, bespoke appointment via numerous therapists and online coaches. Most offer a complimentary session to ensure they’re right for you
‘It’s sad that mental health in the media is all about the “epidemic” of depression and anxiety’ says psychologist Lorna Denton. ‘It’s never about the success stories or what we can do to change things’.
GET LOW TO GET HIGH Mental health charity Mind says rather than our state of mind deteriorating in recent years, we find it harder to cope with our everyday worries about things such as money, jobs and benefits. The extra curveballs life throws – bereavement, divorce and redundancy – compound these worries and negatively impact us. On top of all that, 2.1 million women and 0.7 million men suffer domestic abuse annually in the UK, and,
BA LA N CE August 2018
according to the TUC, an astonishing one in three of us are bullied at work. It’s hardly surprising so many hit rock bottom. But according to Lorna, rock bottom is not necessarily a bad place to land. ‘We need to reach our lowest point before we are forced to make lasting life changes. It’s easier not to face things, to plod along just being “OK”. Rock bottom gives us a base from which to change’. It’s something I know all too well. Years of mentally abusive relationships and being bullied at work culminated in a nervous breakdown. My symptoms consumed me and lasted for years. Depression, anxiety and disassociation from life rendered me unable to function on a day-to-day basis, but my daughter
BREAKING POINT
RESTORE Self care is the last thing you can be bothered with when you’re low, but it’s essential for recovery. Even just getting up, washing and dressing can seem impossible, but forcing yourself to do so will help go some way towards positivity that can be built upon. Ensure you’re getting good nutrition and plenty of exercise, however gentle. A walk in nature, getting out in the fresh air, can lift the mood for hours
RECOUNT Get support. Surround yourself with understanding family and friends, ask for help when you need it and talk it out. Be open and honest about how you’re feeling and if you think they just won’t get it, direct them to Mind’s website (mind.org.uk) for guidance on how best to be there for you
BIG ISSUE
IMAGES: GETTY IMAGES. SOURCES: MENTALHEALTH.ORG.UK
By 2030, mental health issues will be the top cause of global morbidity*
was a constant source of inspiration to get well. I was lucky enough to have incredibly supportive family and friends, too. My recovery was long and punctuated with relapses, but two psychologists and a life coach later, I’m fighting fit.
POSITIVE REINFORCEMENT Lack of self-care is another a huge factor in our failure to cope. ‘Protect yourself by recognising when you need to stop or slow down’ Lorna advises. ‘Being busy all the time isn’t a badge of honour; it’s important to take time out for yourself once a week’. Mark Griffiths was estranged from his
family when he suffered a series of events that left him severely depressed, unable to work and completely broke. ‘Then I had a moment where I didn’t feel numb or detached. I’d helped an elderly lady with her shopping and made her a cup of tea and I could see how much it meant to her. So I asked myself: if I helped a lot more people, would it make me even happier?’ The answer was “absolutely”. Mark is CEO of Real Life Coaching International, and helps clients reach their potential. If that’s not happily-ever-after enough, he trains others to become life coaches. ‘When you’re in a low place, it’s hard to admit you have a problem’ says Mark. ‘But by owning up to it, you have taken
August 2018 BA LA N CE
a huge first step towards resolution, and with support, hard work and determination, you can achieve the life you want and deserve’. Like Mark, I viewed my own breakdown as a breakthrough. I’ve worked out a ‘proper’ job and ‘regular’ hours aren’t for me and I’ve found my perfect employment. Above all, my journey has taught me how to love the skin I’m in, and that ultimately, our mental state really creates our world for all of us. B Lorna Denton is a practising psychologist. For more information, visit yourmindsetcoach.co.uk. Mark Griffiths is CEO of Real Life Coaching. Find out more at rlcinternational.com
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WORDS: XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX6.5PT/8PT APERCU
N AV I G AT I O N S L U G
October 2017 BA LA N CE
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DRIP FEED
e at m e n
e month
t of th
tr
IV Infusion Not just the preserve of hard-partying celebrities, James Gill finds the route to recovery is just a shot in the arm
WORDS: JAMES GILL, LAURA HILL. ILLUSTRATION: ACUTEGRAPHICS.CO.UK
T
here was a time where being on a drip was a matter of life or death. Over the past couple of years however, it seems a drip is the must-have fashion accessory; you may have seen the likes of Cara Delevingne or Rihanna hooked up to one for an infusion of vitamins in a bid to recover from a night of alleged partying. (I’m popping “alleged” in there because, for all I know, they could have been playing Trivial Pursuit the night before and, frankly, either way it’s none of my business). So Balance was both intrigued and excited when it got the call to take a trip to Dr Sarah Shah’s central London Artistry Clinic, where they do everything from dermal fillers, to lip enhancement, to the treatment du jour. Straight off the bat, the glamorous Dr Sarah is busy; her clinic was teeming with business, while the good doctor and her staff are so funny and friendly, ITV2 is missing a trick if they
well informed WHAT IF EINSTEIN CHOSE ‘LIKE’ OVER LOGIC? SOMETIMES, A LITTLE BOREDOM IS A POSITIVE THING
don’t set a new reality show in there (All Filler, No Killer? You can have that one – no charge). I opt for the Athlete Sport treatment (for those with a hectic lifestyle), lay back on a table and get hooked up. It’s relatively painless (trust me, I burst into tears if someone so much as opens a bottle of lemonade), plus I get to relax for a good 30 minutes (as a dad, this was true bliss) while the cocktail of vitamins courses through my veins. Dr Shah tells me later I may feel completely energised or borderline soporific. Here’s the rub: I didn’t really feel either. Maybe it’s because I don’t drink (and haven’t done for years) or because these days, the closest I get to partying is another game of musical statues followed by a buffet, but truth be told, I couldn’t really feel a real difference. It seems that I’m very much in a minority: friends who’ve had the same treatment walked away feeling
Log off for brain gains In a world plagued by constant connectivity, the mere thought of boredom is enough to make us reach for our smartphones. But research has suggested embracing a little boredom can actually boost creativity and leaves us feeling more satisfied. One study says switching off to engage in passive activities, such as reading or doing
like post-spinach Popeye. And, on the plus side, my next wee was the sort of luminous lemon yellow that could have lit up London for a week. However, as someone who only very recently discovered what Rihanna was really singing about with her hit song Umbrella, I now have a wild theory about her ditty Lemon. B
BIT OF A PRICK Give it a go For busy and run-down Londoners who need a vitamin boost
BOOKING INFO Cost From £135
admin, can spark a state of daydream. The outcome? Our creative juices flow and we’re more likely to come up with new thoughts or ideas. Behind the mask And the benefits don’t end there. When wrestling with feelings of boredom, we’re also motivated to explore new goals and experiences, which push
September 2017 BA LA N CE
High point Dr Sarah Shah and her staff are first-class
Booking info artistryclinic. co.uk
Low point The sense of frustration that I didn’t feel different
us to make positive changes. Turning to technology to alleviate dull moments might seem like a quick fix but in the long run, masking boredom might mean we miss out on ‘light bulb’ moments. After all, it’s unlikely Einstein would ve made any discoveries while logged into Facebook… Laura Hill, Senior Editor, welltodoglobal.com
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BALANCE PROMOTION
Why wetter
means better
Revitalise your life and get in the pool with Speedo’s Mind, Body, Swim plan
T
he fact your gym is so empty during the summer tells you all you need to know. Why work up a sweat when you can get one just from sitting in your garden? However, there’s one perfect way to work out and still feel cool: swimming. No sport reaches the parts swimming can, W ORKO U T WONDER with muscles, joints and, indeed, mind enjoying Swimming works the restorative properties of water. your entire body It’s why Speedo, the world’s leading and cardiovascular swimwear brand, has launched the excellent system – it’s literally Mind, Body, Swim programme, which is aimed a life-saving skill! at inspiring as many people as possible to potentially change their lives. Sounds grandiose? Well, such change is possible because Speedo has devised a simple three-step plan that encompasses swimming, nutrition and sleep. Visit the Speedo site, answer a couple of easy questions, and you’ll be on your way to improving the overall quality of your life. To help make the programme as strong and engaging as possible, Speedo has assembled a team of experts from the worlds of nutrition, wellbeing and swimming to create a campaign that will enable you to enjoy every moment in and out of the pool. Getting a good night’s sleep is important, and Speedo wanted to enlist the help of a bona fide guru. Enter Nick Littlehales, the founder and managing director of Sport Sleep Coach. He says: “Understanding your body’s natural rhythms and developing your own sleep routine will help you get Leisure Swim Shorts the best out of your day. However, recovery is often Water-repellent overlooked as a performance factor. By offering finish minimises water absorption, advice to help you recognise your own sleep and pocket drainage characteristics and educating you on approachable, system ensures they achievable changes to your swimming routine, you stay comfortable £16, next.co.uk can make a positive difference to your performance,
Make a splash
both in and out of the pool.”
BALANCE August 2018
Get equipped for your swim session…
Futura Biofuse Flexiseal Goggle Thanks to the futuristic design, it’s the closest you’ll get to looking like an aquatic superhero £20, next.co.uk
The Jammer Shorts Built for training, the mesh leg compression enhances muscle awareness and position in the water £44, johnlewis.com
HAIL T H E KING O F KI P
Speedo’s sleep expert Nick Littlehales shares some of his tips for rest and recovery
“Sleeping in a foetal position, with your dominant side up, psychologically leaves you feeling less vulnerable”
“Having your head, neck, spine and hips in the correct position, just like swimming, will keep your posture correct and provide support”
“Your bedroom is not an extension of your living space – it is a mental and physical recovery room that will affect sleep quality”
“Just after midday there is a natural recovery window for you to take advantage of. It doesn’t have to be a nap: take the dog for a walk, or have a swim”
“We should sleep in 90 minute cycles. I recommend 35 per week taken polyphasically (shorter but more often)”
B E A MA ST E R O F T HE ST ROKES Three easy steps to improve your technique in the pool
To find out more, visit speedo.com/mindbody-swim
Flat Swim with your whole body parallel with the surface of the water
Reach
Roll Rolling up to 45° degrees either side will help to lift the arm higher
Aim to use fewer strokes per lap by extending your reach
August 2018 BALANCE
BALANCE PROMOTION
SAY ‘ T HAN KS’ T O OBRIGAD O
Pure & simple
Obrigado is lean, green and guaranteed 100% pure coconut water. Get ready to go nuts!
H
ave you ever enjoyed the labours of a really good Arista? No, the ‘B’ on our keyboard isn’t broken, and the chances are you soon will; because these are the experts who know the individual needs of every coconut tree in Obrigado’s armoury, which allow them to produce 100% pure coconut water to quench your thirst. Extracted from the coconut via a unique and patented method, Obrigado is the freshest and purest coconut water around. Once the green nuts are harvested (for this is when they are at their sweetest), their precious cargo never sees light nor air. Nothing else is added and it’s never from concentrate, so it’s as pure as ramming a straw through the husk yourself. And if you think that is impressive, it’s nothing compared to their farms in Bahia, Brazil, which are as green as the nuts they drain. Obrigado practices what it preaches, with 70% of its farmland designated untouchable, preserved forest,
to help maintain ecological balance. Their method of ‘mosaic’ farming has not only helped animal populations flourish, but they also benefit from better soil quality and fewer pests, which in turn equal higher yields. And they’re not stopping there. Obrigado strives to be a zero waste company. The coconut is the perfect partner to this end, with most parts utilised once the water is extracted, and it’s this commitment to their environment, staff and product which has seen them become a B Corporation brand (the first coconut water to be certified), meaning they use business as a source for good. And when you consider coconut water contains minerals, electrolytes, vitamins and antioxidants, performs wonders as a recovery aid (be that after a 10-mile run or a night of partying and serious samba), is low in calories and is fat-free, it turns out Obrigado is not just good for the environment, but it’s good for you, too.
Follow the coconut
REHYDRATE Naturally isotonic, thanks to the sodium which helps you rehydrate
SPEEDY RECOVERY Potassium is key to replenishing muscular energy after physical exercise
MUSCLE CRAMPS Coconut water helps to prevent muscle cramps that can occur when training hard
LOW IN CALORIES AND FAT-FREE Pretty self explanatory, really…
HANGOVER CURE Brazilians know how to party, and now you know the secret to their fresh-faced appearance the next day: coconut water helps rehydrate the morning after!
Obrigado Coconut Water is available from amazon.co.uk. For more information visit obrigado.com Obrigado_UK
On our sustainable farms in Bahia, Brazil…
We grow millions of young green coconuts…
Our water is extracted straight from the nuts…
Resulting in the purest, best-tasting coconut water!
BA LA N CE August 2018
ObrigadoUK
TA S T E B U D S TA K E A T R I P
L AND & SE A
PRAWN AN D PROS CIUT TO L ING UIN E
On the table in the time it takes to boil the pasta, this sense-inspiring supper has all the flavour to evoke the ambience of an Italian in Capri
Serves 2
Ask the Chef
A sense of the exotic HelloFresh head chef and co-founder Patrick Drake finds the answers to all your problems with food
WORDS: PATRICK DRAKE. PHOTOGRAPHY: DEBBIE BRAGG RECIPE PHOTOGRAPHY: JASON INGRAM
Q
‘My other half and I have such beautiful meals when we’re away on holiday, but we can never make it taste as good once we return home. What can you suggest?’ Sarah, Wandsworth It’s pretty tough for a microwave lasagna to live up to an al fresco feast in the wonderful surrounds of Sardinia, but I’ve got some tricks up my sleeve. The American poet and civil rights activist Maya Angelou once said: “People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them
feel”. The same can be said for that perfect holiday meal. The food itself might actually be quite forgettable, but the feeling you had from the overall experience is what triggers the misty-eyed nostalgia. So let’s pretend we’re not serious adults for one evening and play a bit of make-believe. What were you wearing that night? Were you wearing aftersun with a particular fragrance? What wine were you drinking? What music was playing? What did the plates look like? By re-creating as many of these sensory cues as possible, and switching away from your usual routine (no more eating from the
packet!), you’ll fire up those same holiday neurons again and completely change the context (and perceived flavour) of your dinner. And the last trick in my repertoire? Food always tastes better when someone else cooks it, so cut out this week’s recipe, leave it (not so subtly) where your other half will see it, and go put your feet up… B
Win two HelloFresh boxes
Email or tweet your queries for Patrick to hello@balance. media or @BalanceLDN. If your conundrum is chosen, you could win two free boxes from HelloFresh. Follow Patrick on Instagram @patrickdrakechef
Ingredients • 2 cloves of garlic • ½ a mild green chilli • 2 tbsps chives, finely chopped • 300g linguine • 1 vegetable stock pot • 8 slices prosciutto • 250g tiger prawns • 3 tbsps crème fraîche • ½ a lemon 1 Boil a large pot of water. Finely chop the garlic, chilli and chives, then cut the prosciutto into 2cm wide slices and the prawns into three pieces. 2 Once the water is boiling, add the linguine together with the vegetable stock pot. Cook for around 10 minutes (or until it’s al dente), and keep this stock to make the sauce later.
3 Heat 1 ½ tbsps of olive oil in a frying pan and cook the chilli, prosciutto and prawns for 2 minutes, then season.
4 When the prawns have just turned pink, add the garlic. Continue to cook for 1 minute, then add 4 tbsps of stock from the pasta. Turn the heat to low, add the crème fraîche and ¾ of your chives and simmer until the sauce is thick and velvety.
5 Drain the pasta and add it to your sauce. Squeeze over a good splash of lemon juice, and toss in the pan or stir with a spoon to combine everything. 6 Sprinkle over the remaining chives and tuck in.
PAT R I C K
TAKE S YO U BACK
AROMA THERAPY
Smell is the strongest memory trigger, so try to recreate holiday fragrances at home
CUE THE MUSIC
When you’re on holiday, use Shazam to identify and save the music you loved in the restaurant
TASTE TEST
Ask waiters for the recipe and buy any speciality ingredients locally to take home
August 2018 BA LA N CE
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SEE SICKNESS?
E HOM AND Y AWA
Travel digest
Want to enjoy a settled holiday? Take these in your carry on words by A ME LIA R IC H A R D S photography by A L E S S I O B O GA N I
S
omething we’re asked about a lot is how to travel well (and travel healthy), particularly when it comes to gut health, and there are a few tips and tricks you can always call upon to keep your gut and digestion in tip-top condition when heading overseas. Probiotics Just pop one pill every morning with breakfast to keep the good bacteria thriving. Probiotics can help protect against stomach bugs and infection, and can improve the S I C K PAY quality of your skin, meaning that any tan Holiday sickness you pick up will last for longer. claims by UK Hydrate Travel and sunnier climes can travellers have dehydrate you to such an extent your digestive increased by system seizes up and becomes irregular, 500% since 2013 leading to bloating and a general feeling of ‘ugh’. Soak up the local culture by loading up on H2O. Eat according to the time zone you’re entering Begin timing your meals according to wherever you’re visiting. The impact of syncronising your mealtimes in line with your destination helps your digestive system become accustomed to your new time zone, and has even been shown to improve the symptoms of jet lag. Take your own food on flights Aeroplane food is often processed, so if you have the time, take a packed lunch and some blood-sugar stabilising snacks with you in your hand luggage. You’ll feel a million times more together when you reach your destination. Here’s our pick of the best gut-loving products to pack this summer. Helpfully there are no liquids, so they’re suitable for those travelling with hand luggage, too. B
PHOTOGRAPHY: STOCKSY/ALESSIO BOGANI
FIRST CLASS UPGRADES 1.Organic Traditions Smooth Movement Probiotic Fiber Blend With Turmeric This nutrient-dense, fibre-rich superfood formula is the perfect addition to hotel breakfast buffet muesli bowls. Containing chia and flax seeds, turmeric powder extract, as well as pre- and probiotics, if there’s an antidote to travellers’ sickness, this is it.
2. Planet Organic Biolive Crunch Perfect for mountaintop or beach-towel snacking, these new snack bars combine crunchy buckwheat with a smooth raw chocolate coating, while one billion biolive cultures keep your gut in tip-top shape. The bars tick all the boxes of the healthconscious holidayer, and come in three flavours.
IN ASSOCIATION WITH
3.Optibac Probiotics for Travelling Abroad Specifically formulated for travellers, Optibac have concocted a special blend of probiotic containing five billion live cultures with a superior quality natural bacteria blend designed to survive high temperatures. Ideal for those travelling to particularly hot countries this summer, as its efficacy is guaranteed.
4.Pukka Herbs Triphala Plus Literally translated as ‘three fruits’ (the essential holy trinity of amalaki, bibhitaki and haritaki), this natural supplement contains a concentrated combination of organic and FairWild certified herbs (like psyllium husk and linseed), and helps support the body by increasing regularity.
August 2018 BA LA N CE
❷ PASSPORT TO GOOD GUTS
❶
❸
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FEEDING FRENZY
A hunger for success UK food & drink start-ups are flourishing, increasing choice and giving the big boys a bloody nose
L
ondon has long been known for its food. From the traditions of pie & mash and jellied eels, to the incredibly vibrant and constantly-evolving restaurant scene, it’s a city full to bursting for the foodie. But the product side of the business – building brands and selling prepacked goods – hasn’t enjoyed the same success. Opportunities for food and beverage (F&B) start-ups across the country were traditionally curtailed by the giant fastmoving consumer goods (FMCG) conglomerates and their relationships with the equally giant supermarkets. However, buoyed by consumer hunger for brands that match their values, and the opportunities to reach those consumers without spending the earth, F&B is now awash with young, exciting start-ups – and London is ground zero. Many F&B start-ups develop not because of a burning need to make money, but out of love for a product or diet and a desire to bring something better to the market. My own business, pork crackling brand Snaffling Pig, was no different. We knew nothing about the business of pubs or supermarkets when we started, but the excitement of having a tangible product we loved drove us to talk to anyone who would listen. Passion tends to create some amazing start-up stories, with inspired founders travelling the world for research, spending countless hours in home kitchens and chasing down manufacturers to take a chance on a new business. Once they have a product, it’s about doing the hardest of yards: selling at markets and knocking on the doors of independents.
BREAKING WITH TRADITION While it’s not easy, having that grass roots foodie ecosystem and the opportunities for real world feedback it presents, is one area where London excels. Olly Hiscocks, founder of Angel-based start-up, Olly’s Olives, feels it was a fundamental part of giving him the confidence in his business: “After dowsing my parents’ kitchen with oil (the stains still exist in the wood today), I decided to test my olive concepts at Duck Pond Market in Richmond in 2016 and got an incredibly positive reaction. When we had returning customers demanding somewhere to buy them during the week, we knew it was time to look into retail.”
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Above: Green Grill, vegan hotdogs and burgers Left: Spoon Cereals’ homemade granola Below: Kaleidoscope’s salad rolls & magical tubes
It’s not all about physical retail, though; London is an ideal launchpad for businesses that use technology to reach customers in different ways. Brands like Graze blazed the trail, and now there’s a wave of young businesses reaching specific consumers without the aid of traditional channels. One example is All Plants who, after soft launching in London, now deliver frozen meals nationwide. Owner Alex Petrides certainly felt being based in the nation’s creative heartbeat has helped All Plants grow. “London is home of food fashion in the UK. The latest superfoods, tastes and plant-based creations appear at street food markets and pop-up restaurants. At the same time, there’s a willingness to find new ways to lead healthier, more sustainable lives.”
THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS It’s still an incredibly hard industry to break, and what’s been missing is the supporting infrastructure to turbocharge the community and propel ideas from kitchen tables to global successes. But now that’s also starting to change. I remember the excitement of the rare times we got to chat to another foodie business in our first year, and how much we’d learn in the process, and it’s that sense of community the Young Foodies (YF) are driving.
BA LA N CE August 2018
THE RIGHT INGREDIENTS Four Londonbased start-ups nailing health & sustainability Above: White Rabbit Pizza Company Below: Soft Serve Society
CHAM
L ARGE PORT ION
According to Graze CEO Anthony Fletcher, the healthy snacking market will be worth £1.8 billion across the next decade
A start up itself, YF was cofounded last year by the Theadora Alexander, alumni of another London success story, Propercorn. She recognised many smaller brands were held up on their journey through a lack of shared knowledge, and standarised approaches. “We think it’s too hard to be a start-up in the food & drink world. Through the process of building the YF community, we’ve seen how much opportunity there is among the brands we’re working with. Communities and shared solutions like ours are the long overdue turning point to level the playing field. Suddenly, small doesn’t mean powerless.” It’s an approach that appeals to retailers too, with buyers from Sainsbury’s playing an active role in recent events, providing access to key gatekeepers in a way that would have been almost impossible only a few years ago. Indeed, Sainsbury’s now have a ‘Future Brands’ team dedicated to shaking up the status quo. Fittingly, YF are based at perhaps the most ambitious food project in London: New Covent Garden’s The Food Exchange.
FOOD FOR THOUGHT Once a bustling night time economy, supplying an estimated 40% of all fresh produce eaten out of homes, now it’s part of the complete redevelopment of the site to coincide with the Northern Line extension, developing the building to provide a home for F&B brands. A mixture of office and retail space, perhaps
most impressively an entire floor is dedicated to the Mission Kitchen co-working space, providing facilities for production and R&D – a vital ingredient to the start-up ecosystem. Time will tell if The Food Exchange is successful in making Nine Elms become for food what ‘Silicon Roundabout’ is to tech, but the fact projects of this scale are happening is proof of the level of the changes underway. It’s not all plain sailing though. Over half of food businesses fail within three years, and one main problem area is access to financial backing. However, food offers the kind of tangibility for investors that many other areas can’t match, and as more start-ups turn the tables on the big boys, the money should follow. That’s a view shared by Young Foodies. “Not only is there more opportunity in the UK as competition heats up, but international grocery markets are looking to us as a source of innovation. We’re confident we’ll see more and more success in challenger brands, and we’re expecting more mergers and acquisitions of challenger brands by medium-sized, blue-chip competitors looking for a slice of the action.” The sheer number of developments and successes based in the London area makes this feel like a very special time indeed. Watch out world – London’s young foodies are coming. B
August 2018 BA LA N CE
Their attempt to create a jam without masses of sugar is so successful, this chia seed spread can’t actually be called ‘jam’. eatcham.com
DASH WATER Zero calorie sparkling water infused using ‘wonky’ fruit and veg. You can now find Dash at Wholefoods and Planet Organic. dash-water.com
SPARE FRUIT Spare Fruit work with a host of farmers, taking surplus stock and turning it into Great Taste Award winning fruit crisps. sparefruit.com
ADONIS FOODS A vegan-friendly range of snacks low in carbs, sugar, dairy, soy and gluten. That leaves just enough room for a great taste, too. Adonis-foods.com
t
esc
tis
ape ar
Swiss secret
Ageless beauty
In the heart of the Swiss Alps, Spa Nescens promotes lifestyle change to halt father time in his tracks
T
here are a few things that make Spa Nescens, near the peak of the Swiss Alps, so special. The people will tell you it’s their focus on scientific wellness advice, along with promoting anti-ageing through better living. It’s all true. Their ethos is a life lived with good health and joy is longer. The Victoria-Jungfrau Grand Hotel in Interlaken, home of the Spa Nescens, has been through a few incarnations. It was once a hotspot for royals and writers in Belle Époque Europe of the early 1900s; hosted the rich and famous in the second half of the 20th Century and changed again when it recently added an enormous 5,500m2 spa, making it one of the largest and most lavish in Europe. On arrival, a team of wellness advisors, dieticians and technicians get to work on your full-body analysis, where they measure water, protein, muscle and fat levels. Then their team of experts offer a full physiological, osteopathic and nutritional assessment. Their advice for living
longer is to live better, which may not be exactly what you think. They stress good food and the occasional drink is part of living a joyful life and, as luck would have it, these are all on hand. There are several Better Ageing programmes on offer, all designed to redress imbalances (like stress and fatigue) that can speed up ageing process . Most laudable is their aim to help guests make the lifestyle changes they’ll be able to continue at back at home. The flight to Basel is around 90 minutes, then it’s another incredibly beautiful hour by train up to Interlaken. It makes the whole trip achievable for a weekend of good living and a return journey armed with the know- how to maintain wellness for every day of your life . To book, visit victoria-jungfrau.ch, or call +41 33 828 28 28. The Nescens Four-Day Better-Ageing Break costs £2,458, including health assessments, all treatments, personal training sessions and three personalised healthy meals per day. Rooms cost £330 per night, on a B&B basis
Long haul
Tomorrow the world! Tide & Vine luxury travel founder Alex Uddin helps you swerve fivestar opulence and take on nature
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Climb the Carstenz Pyramid, Indonesia One of earth’s most remote peaks, it takes a week of trekking through leach-infested jungles to reach base camp, then its a gruelling 10-hour climb to the summit jagged-globe.co.uk
Scuba Dive with Whale Sharks Teluk Cenderawasih Bay in New Guinea is one of only a handful of places to scuba dive year round with whale sharks, which can grow up to 10-metres in length and live to be 60 tideandvine.co.uk
Kayak the Selinda Spillway, Botswana The floodwaters that link the Okavango Delta to the Linyanti Swamp host Africa’s most bountiful ecosystem. Make your way downstream over four days greatplains conservation.com
BA LA N CE August 2018
Complete the Iceman Challenge, Greenland A 100km dash across glaciers, fjords and valleys, this sub-zero endurance race sees entrants take to skies and snowshoes and pull their own equipment tangentexpeditions. com
Drive across Antarctica via the South Pole An epic eight-day journey in Jeeps, spending one night at the South Pole before continuing to the Ross Ice Shelf, the initial landing site of Scott and Amundsen tideandvine.co.uk
RO O M S E RV I C E
In and out
Some hotels offer everything on a plate, while others serve as the perfect base for wider exploration. Should you stay, or should you go?
staying in
Going OUT
Great outdoors
World of wellness
Wellness & Wellbeing at Puente Romano, Marbella What immediately strikes you as you take a casual stroll around the luxurious Puento Romano mini-village is that you never have to leave. Had we had our way, we’d still be there. By day, you can take in the outdoor pools or one of the finest spas we’ve enjoyed, where giant white slabs provide a footpath that’s otherwise submerged underwater. Sounds luxurious? Oh, it is. Or you can realise just how hard tennis is as you ‘enjoy’ a lesson at the sports club. The food provided the most pleasant surprise. Yes, there’s a Nobu, but the man-of-the-match champagne went to the Sea Grill, where the fish was so lip-smackingly fresh, you practically got the bends. However, Puente Romano should come with a warning: upon landing in London, you will have to return to normal life. puenteromano.com
WORDS: JAMES GILL
Green getaway
Aqua Sana, various We enjoyed the leafy Nottingham site, which is as close to the Ewok village from Return of the Jedi as you’ll ever find. Treetop sauna? Yes please. Spanning two floors, you’ll never want to leave; given there are designated sleep pods, you can actually stay longer than at most spas (where it can feel like you’re being ushered towards the exit once your treatment is up). We tied it to a stay at Centre Parcs Sherwood for maximum alone time. aquasana.co.uk
Gliffaes Hotel, Brecon Beacons, Wales Yes, there’s plenty to do within the hotel grounds, especially if you’re keen to try fishing. However, with the Welsh wonder that is the Brecon Beacons on your doorstep, you’d be a gosh-darn fool to not go off exploring. There’s hiking, horse-trekking, water sports and all the other things you’ve previously promised to do again, but never quite got round to. gliffaeshotel.com
Nature calls
Woodman’s Hut, Nethy Bridge, Scotland Enjoy the freeform fun of Cub or Brownie camp, minus rain seeping into your tent. That’s because you stay in a beautiful eco-cabin, your base camp for exploring the natural beauty of Cairngorms National Park in Scotland. Given how blissfully alone you feel, this makes for a picturesque spot to meditate, while there’s no better way to drift off to sleep thanks to the stargazer window. lazyduck.co.uk/woodmans-hut
Close to home
Fit for a queen
Amberley Castle, Arundel The sort of place to take a partner, and never leave the grounds. The food and 12th century dining room will have you asking why on earth you’d want to venture to anywhere else, while the 18-hole putting green is a hoot regardless of ability. With tennis courts and a croquet lawn, Amberley is perfect for the warmer months, while 12acres of picturesque gardens are perfect for a postprandial stroll. And, yes, you should hold hands. amberleycastle.co.uk
A true original
Brown’s, London If you’re going to stay in London, do it in style at the iconic Brown’s, the oldest hotel in the city. Situated in magical Mayfair, the location is perfect for a walk to Theatreland and beyond. We went to super-cool Kiln in Soho for Thai food, with the balmy London air making for a dreamy stroll back. Brown’s also specialises in wellness - we were put through our paces by the in-house personal trainer (our hand is still throbbing from one mid-work-out high-five), while the treatments on offer will salve any spiritual wounds. We opted for the Ayurvedic massage (£100 for 50 minutes), which helped relieve stress and tension. And do take a moment to soak in Brown’s; much like Gareth Southgate’s waistcoat, it’s smart, traditional-yet-modern and makes you surprisingly proud to be English. roccofortehotels.com
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N AV I G AT I O N S L U G
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W H AT ’ S O N
CULTURE ounter
Out and about this summer? Then look no further for your essential August activities
Everything matters Not many comics stay relevant for 30 years, but Saturday Night Live’s David Spade is an expert at playing the long game… EXPLAIN YOUR NEW AUDIOBOOK, A POLAROID GUY IN A SNAPCHAT WORLD Nine years ago, I had a daughter. I used to fudge it a bit by staying young and in the mix, and then it catches up to you. I no longer know where people drink, so it was all a good hook for a book. It was what was on my mind.
David Spade’s first acting role was in 1987 comedy sequel Police Academy 4: Citizens on Patrol, which also starred a pre-Basic Instinct Sharon Stone
IT’S HARD FOR YOUNGER PEOPLE NOW… If there’s a gaggle of kids having lunch, they’re all on their phones; there’s not much talking and they’re texting each other! If you’re the funny kid now, you have to find an amusing meme, DM it to a girl, and after a few of those they’re like, “He’s funny!” WHAT’S THE SECRET TO YOUR CAREER? There is some talent involved. Breaking through is the hardest thing, then you need to have some game. That’s why so many people fade away. Someone said to me the other day: “Where’s Chris Pratt?” I replied, “He’s just opened Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom.” They go, “Good for him.” I’m like, “Good for him? The guy’s been in nine movies this year!” They go, “Didn’t see them.” If he’s out of the game, what am I? Jesus Christ! YOUR EARLY YEARS ON SNL WERE HARD. DID YOU EVER THINK ABOUT QUITTING? I couldn’t quit because I had nowhere else to go. If you quit the best show, everyone’s like, “What the f*ck?”
WORDS: JAMES GILL
YOU ONCE SAID, “YOU CAN EITHER LOOK AT THINGS IN A BRUTAL, TRUTHFUL WAY THAT’S DEPRESSING, OR YOU CAN SCREW AROUND AND HAVE FUN”. STILL THE WAY? There are reasons to be depressed every day, and then there’s my mum, who chooses to smile. Everyone wants to be around her. You don’t have to act depressed all the time to show people you understand the world.
A Polaroid Guy in a Snapchat World is out now on Audible
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CULTURE C
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OUT AND ABOUT
Novel approach
POETRY
BANG SAID THE GUN
the other woman by Sandie Jones Inspiration can strike anywhere. Sandie Jones’ mother-in-law from hell was concocted by horror stories regaled over coffee… CONGRATS ON THE BOOK. WHERE DID YOU GET THE IDEA? The seed was sown by talking to friends and acquaintances who all seemed to have a story about their mother-in-law. Pammie is an exaggeration of all those tales told over coffee. HOW DID IT COME ABOUT? I sent the first three chapters off to five agents, who all requested the full manuscript. I tried not to get too excited, and when three of them asked to meet, I honestly thought it was a wind-up!
Yorkshire firebrand Rob Auton is always a must-watch, whether he’s doing stand-up or spoken word.Until 15 Oct; Soho Theatre; sohotheatre.com
WHAT COMPELLED YOU TO WRITE A BOOK? It’s something I dreamed of, but came up with every excuse not to try. In the end, I wrote it without telling anyone. I never intended to find myself in this position. WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO AN ASPIRING NOVELLIST? Just start! It sounds simple, but is the hardest thing to do. And don’t set limitations, like writing in a certain place or time. I wrote The Other Woman in waiting rooms and on public transport. WHAT’S NEXT? Book no2 is in the making! It’s a thriller, exploring secrets and lies hidden within a normal family…
FITNESS
BODY CAMP IBIZA
The Other Woman by Sandie Jones (£7.99, Pan Macmillan)
Bezzies Katharine Heller and Sally Tamarkin tackle readersubmitted questions in this cult hit
THE STRUGGLE BUS
DO MIND
THE MENTAL ILLNESS HAPPY HOUR
If you like... The Mental Illness Happy Hour
Paul Gilmartin invites creative types to talk about mental wellbeing
You should try... Do Mind
A QUIET DAY WITH PENNY CLAYDEN
CREATIVITY MAKEMORE FESTIVAL
If you’re a maker or a doer, book your tickets now: this new festival is all about creativity. 23-27 August; Victoria Park; makemore.art
ART
Hannah Russell discovers how her guests cope with the slings and arrows of everyday life
screen time
ONE IN FOUR: MENTAL ILLNESS EXAMINED THROUGH ART Carlie Simpkin and Laura Greenway take us on a journey of mental health via art. 14-18 Aug; Lewisham Arthouse; artrabbit.com
ACTION
FAMILY
DRAMA
Denzel Washington is 63, but has got the moves of a man half his age. He sizzles as righter-of-wrongs Robert McCall in his first-ever sequel. In cinemas 17 August
Ewan McGregor is the adult version of Christopher Robin, reminded of the fun side of life once he’s reacquainted with the Hundred Acre Wood gang. In cinemas 17 August
Idris Elba’s directorial debut is a bruising tale of London drug-running in the early Eighties. Read our chat with star Aml Ameen at balance. media. In cinemas 24 August
THE EQUALIZER 2
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MINDFUL
An opportunity to explore art with true depth, before attempting your own work. 18 August, St Katherine’s House; eventbrite.co.uk
Podcast: venn of zen If you like... The Struggle Bus
The fitness retreat to the stars is coming to London for its first special cookery weekender. 8-9 September; The Avenue, Wandsworth; thebodycamp.com
CHRISTOPHER ROBIN
YARDIE
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FAMILY
WALKING WITH DINOSAURS Based on the BBC smash, this epic showcases nine species across the dino’s 200 million-year reign. 14-19 Aug; theo2.co.uk B
BALANCE PROMOTION
The world in your hands
FOUR EASY PIECES Dr Rangan’s tips to improve your own ‘Four Pillars’
Four Pillars author and podcast host Dr Rangan Chatterjee reveals how to change your life with a Werlabs blood test
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FOOD Instead of worrying about what you eat, change it. Consume all your food within a 12-hour window
hanks to the success of his book The Four Pillar Plan, BBC show Doctor In The House and podcast Feel Better, Live More, Dr Rangan Chatterjee is one of the most recognisable figures in the world of health and wellbeing. There’s no one better to talk about Werlabs, who offer private blood tests and deliver in-depth analysis to advise how you could further improve – and maybe prolong – your life.
IT’S PUTTING HEALTH IN THE HANDS OF PEOPLE? Precisely. Instead of waiting two weeks to make an appointment with a doctor, then going for tests, waiting for results and making more appointments, this is a smarter way. Werlabs makes preventative health simple, allowing you to monitor yourself through blood testing and suggesting changes you can make today.
HOW HAS HEALTH CHANGED? The bulk of what we see today is driven by modern lifestyle, yet our training is in diagnosis and pharmaceutical drugs. That’s why there’s frustration across medicine.
WHO BENEFITS FROM WERLABS TESTS? You may be the sort of person who thinks, ‘I’ll have another burger and keep going out drinking.’ Maybe that sort of person would benefit from a blood test as they could be at high risk of developing heart disease. Werlabs could encourage you to make serious lifestyle changes.
WHY IS WERLABS IMPORTANT? When a common condition like type 2 diabetes is diagnosed, the underlying chemical changes have been going on for around 10 years, and medicine gets involved very late. It would be better to get people clued up 10 years before. People want to be proactive but don’t know how. That’s why Werlabs is brilliant.
AND THE KEY IS BEING PROACTIVE? With the Werlabs Journal you can track progress and see what your switches have resulted in, which is great for motivation. It’s about making a sustainable lifestyle change. August 2018 BA LA N CE
RELAXATION Take 15 minutes of you-time each day, something you don’t feel guilty about – and doesn’t involve your phone
MOVEMENT Don’t neglect strength training, even if it’s for five minutes twice a week. Search online for my Kitchen Workout
SLEEP Switch off all tech 90 minutes before bed. Too much? Try 50 minutes and build up from there To find out more, visit werlabs.co.uk
BALANCE PROMOTION
A world of
pet adventures
Purina Pets Welcome is the ultimate website to discover the best places to go with furry friends
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ven for your four-legged friend, there are times when that walk in your local park just gets a little too repetitive. After all, there are only so many times you can take your dog on the same route before they yearn for something more stimulating. And that’s why Purina Pets Welcome is such a smart solution. Up until now, there’s a strong chance you’ve relied on word-of-mouth recommendations for places to go with your pets. Not any more. The beauty of Purina Pets Welcome lies in the sheer breadth of businesses and activities on offer. Simply visit the website and take your pick from more than 20,000 pet-friendly places, all rated by fellow pet owners. The site is built around Google Maps, so it couldn’t be easier to locate places close to home, or further afield, on your travels. Users can rate and review all destinations on pet-friendliness, so the site gets better and better as pet owners update and rate it. You can use it to hunt out the best vets, pet clubs, groomers, rescue centres, pet boutiques, hotels and eateries, so you’ll never have to leave your best friend home alone again. And remember that same local park, you’ve always relied on? Make sure you give it a rating on Purina Pets Welcome. There could be someone else and their dog out there who’d love to check out your local green space and enjoy a new adventure.
Bob’s Café in Muswell Hill (top) and House of Books in Crouch End are just two places your pets are welcome
P E T P ROJ EC T S For more information, visit pets-welcome.co.uk DAYS OUT Search your postcode and go barking mad at the choice of activites
SHOPPING Welcoming places where you can treat yourself and your furry friends
PLACES TO STAY The hottest hound hotels which don’t need paws for thought…
FOOD & DRINK Let yourself off the lead and relax in the perfect petpally premises
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C O V E R S TA R S
Spray & display Protect your skin (and the planet)this summer with these eco-friendly sunscreens
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o much attention has been given to the threat of plastic microbeads to our oceans, it’s easy to forget many chemicals found in common skincare products can have a detrimental effect on marine life, too. Of particular concern to environmentalists is the damage caused by chemical sunscreens. It’s estimated up to 14,000 tonnes of sunscreen ends up in our oceans every year and common ingredients like oxybenzone and octinoxate, which act as UV filters, have been found in especially high concentrations at coral reefs frequented by (factored-up) tourists. According to a European study published in Environmental Health Perspectives, these ingredients, often found in sprays, have a devastating effect on reefs, causing mutations and deadly coral bleaching. So serious is the problem that in May, Hawaii became the first US state to ban sunscreens containing chemicals harmful to coral reefs.
NATURE’S ANSWER LEE KYNASTON
MAIN IMAGE: GETTY IMAGES. *SOURCE: PANDA.ORG
Although a firm believer that real beauty comes from the inside, Lee sees no harm in giving the outside some TLC.
Researchers are currently looking into how natural alternatives like shinorine (a sunscreen microbes produce to protect themselves from UV damage) can be incorporated into products, but until a truly natural alternative arrives, the biggest step you can take to help marine life is to choose physical sunscreens over chemical. Physical screens use minerals like titanium dioxide or zinc oxide which sit on the skin and form a physical barrier, deflecting harmful UV. They’ve fallen out of favour in recent years
G O OD G-REEF
We have already lost 27% of the world’s coral reefs. If present rates of decline are allowed to continue, 60% will disappear over the next 30 years *
because some can leave a white cast and, although not entirely eco-friendly, they’re considered a safer option than their chemical counterparts. As a bonus, they go to work the minute they’re applied.
PROTECT AND SERVE When choosing sunscreen, check the label to ensure they don’t contain oxybenzone or octinoxate; use water-resistant products that are less likely to wash off and look for products, like those from Green People’s sun protection range, that feature the words ‘reef friendly’ or ‘reef safe’ on their labels. If you’re using a titanium dioxide or zinc oxide-based sunscreen it’s also worth opting for ones like Weleda Edelweiss Sun Lotion, which use ‘non-nano’ mineral filters. Choosing sunscreen is just a small step when it comes to saving marine wildlife, but as Yoko Ono once said, every drop in the ocean counts. Especially if you’re coral. B
R EA DY FOR YO UR SCR EEN TE ST?
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Cream of the crop
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1. Green People Organic Scent Free Sun Lotion SPF 30, £22 for 200ml greenpeople.co.uk 2. Badger Balm Broad Spectrum SPF30 Sunscreen Cream, £15.79 for 87ml amazon.co.uk 3. Suntribe Safe Natural Body & Face
Sunscreen SPF 30, £24.99 for 100ml amazon.co.uk 4. Weleda Edelweiss Sun Lotion Sensitive SPF30, £11.47 for 150ml hollandandbarrett.com 5. Odylique Natural Sun Screen SPF30, £15 for 50ml odylique.co.uk
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SHARE ON SOC IA AND TA L G US
#murray motivation Let BALANCE help you shake off those Monday morning blues
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he average person in the UK doesn’t smile on a Monday morning until 11.16am. It’s a sad statistic we at BALANCE want to challenge with a dose of #MondayMotivation, courtesy of Hollywood royalty Bill Murray. Don’t be selfish with that smile. Snap, share on social and tag @balanceldn to put a smile on someone else’s face before 11.16am Monday, and you might even be re-posted by us, too. And for your daily dose of good news, inspiration and advice throughout the rest of the week, simply head over to balance.media. Follow us @balancldn on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook
Balance presents September is National Yoga Month so to celebrate, we’ve teamed up with Obrigado Coconut Water to bring you an exclusive yoga flow and brunch workshop – all overlooking the breathtaking London skyline. It’s hard to imagine a better setting for a yoga class: amidst London’s buzz, but high enough so the city’s sounds are reduced to a murmur, practice warrior poses and sun salutations while your instructor guides you through a 45-minute energising flow. The practice is a reminder of what yoga is really about. Rather than trying to escape the hustle and bustle of our busy lives, it’s a way to reconnect with our peaceful inner space. By the end of the session, you’ll feel energised, empowered and ready for brunch. Reserve your space now, and you’ll even receive a VIP goody bag jam-packed with healthy treats.
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ROOFTOP YOGA + BRUNCH E USIV EXCL R E B EM SEP T N T E EV
WHEN Saturday 29 September WHERE Rooftop at Tintagel House, 92 Albert Embankment, London, SE1 7TY CLASS 45-minute yoga flow, followed by a delicious brunch
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To buy tickets, visit balancerooftopyoga. eventbrite.com
L I V E
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Blue light is the latest threat to skin’s ability to stave off Father Time. Thankfully, these tips will help iron out any wrinkles
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ust when you thought digital devices couldn’t get any worse, a new menace has emerged, with gathering evidence suggesting blue light emitted from screens damages skin. Highenergy visible light (HEV) generates free radical damage in cells, so add wrinkles, hyperpigmentation and premature ageing to the list of tech-related ailments. So, how does HEV light differ from UV rays? “The difference is wavelength,” explains Linda Blahr, National Head of Training and Science for SkinCeuticals, “UV rays are the short, while HEV is longer and penetrates deeper, with about 20% reaching the hypodermis.” “UVB burns the skin and UVA causes ageing by inducing discolouration and breaking down the structural support,” says Linda. In fact, SkinCeuticals’ own research found HEV increased pigmentation in darker skin by 18.1% and 4.3% in lighter tones.
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Stop feeling blue
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JESSICA PUNTER
Beauty journalist and stylist Jessica is also a brand consultant with more than 15 years’ experience. In addition to styling many celebrities, she’s also interviewed some of the world’s most famous faces.
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THE SILVER SCREAM “The best form of defence against UV is a broad-spectrum SPF factor 30+, chemical or mineral,” Linda advises. “For HEV protection, wearing an everyday antioxidant will help protect skin cells from oxidation from the inside.” The upshot is sunscreen alone isn’t enough. Luckily, there are plenty of serums, mists, creams and foundations which help purge free radicals. Moisturisers and make-up with builtin defences are the best way to protect skin without having to think about it. BareMinerals Complexion Rescue Radiant Tint Protective Moisturizer uses cocoa extract to shield skin and gives a fresh, even glow, while Jurlique’s UV Defence Lotion achieves that elusive combination: traceless, light wearing UV protection. Alternatively, combine your regular sunscreen with a high dose antioxidant, like SkinCeuticals Phloretin CF. For round-
❺ 1. Jurlique UV Defence Lotion SPF 50 High Protection PA ++++, £27 (jurlique.co.uk) 2. Amly Silver Rich Face Mist Digital Detox, £45 (amlybotanicals.com) 3. Murad City Skin Broad Spectrum SPF 50 PA++++, £55 (murad.co.uk) 4. SkinCeuticals Phloretin CF, £150 (skinceuticals. co.uk) 5. bareMinerals Complexion Rescue Defense Protective Moisturizer SPF 30 PA ++++, £35 (bareminerals.co.uk) 6. de Mamiel Intense Nurture Antioxidant Elixir, £80 (demamiel.com)
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the-clock care, add serum. Wear under make-up during the day and apply before bed (after all, who isn’t guilty of a little late-night scrolling?) De Mamiel’s Intense Nurture Antioxidant Elixir has detoxifying malachite and a relaxing herbal scent. Should your day not require a prepped and primed face for the great outdoors, keep a mist, such Amly’s Digital Detox, within easy reach for a shielding boost. B
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How to age with elegance by Clémence
von Mueffling
A BIT ABOUT ME I am the daughter and granddaughter of two beauty editors for French Vogue, and grew up absorbing their wisdom and advice. Today, I proudly continue their legacy in my book Ageless Beauty: The Secrets To French Elegance. OK, it’s mostly for women, but men can learn too!
TIPS FOR BEING MORE FRENCH
PERFECT SCHMERFECT Beauty is not about perfection. Regardless of age, French women are always coquettish and not as concerned with ageing as much as ageing gracefully. The reality and existence of wrinkles are not as important as the quality and health of their skin. Well-hydrated skin that’s dewy and glowing optimally reflects light in a flattering way, so skin quality is paramount. We prefer bare skin and minimal make-up. Add a smile, et voilà!
CARE FOR HAIR Hair that’s a bit messy and undone is the ultimate French beauty signature. Overdoing it is a common mistake
DON’T FORGET YOUR DÉCOLLETÉ
A TOUCH OF SILK
MAKE MINE A DOUBLE The secret to great skin is doublecleansing. The first time, you get rid of the impurities, pollution or make-up with a creamy product. The second, you clean the skin’s top-most layer to optimise its natural protection and regeneration, which primarily takes place at night while you’re sleeping.
RUB ME TENDER People underestimate the power of massage. You will be amazed how much you can improve your face by massaging it yourself regularly. It will tone the skin, improve
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Take precaution and regularly apply sunscreen as you would on your face
circulation and minimise lines. Best of all, it’s free!
FIRST-CLASS TRAVEL If you’re going on holiday, avoid exfoliation (or peels) a few days prior to any extended period of time spent out in the sun. If the skin is over sensitised, it may get sunspots. If you’re taking a flight, travel with wellhydrated skin without make-up, as it can be very drying. Apply make-up just before you land.
Ageless Beauty: The Secrets To French Elegance is out now; penguin.co.uk
BE KIND TO YOURSELF Even the smallest changes to your beauty routine can make a difference, and are something worthy of feeling good about
A HELPING HAND My mother shared a memory from years ago when a friend recommended she see a make-up artist. The best way to find the right one is to ask around, or visit beauty counters at department stores. “Experts will know how to use and blend colours for your specific skin tone,” she notes. “This is an art, and not something that most of us are good at. They can really help you.” B
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The outcome
One thing that really makes Ageless Beauty special is I don’t address fads. These are tried and true tips, some that have worked for generations, and newer ones based on scientific research. I always say “it’s better to look great for your age than to look no age at all.”
PHOTOGRAPHY: PAMELA BERKOVIC
Never over-exfoliate, and treat your skin as you would your favourite silk blouse. Why would you burn, dry, and peel, rather than nourishing and maintaining healthy skin? You only have one face; treat it with great care, in the most delicate way you can.