Stress management:
making smart decisions Mental health has become a topic many people now feel comfortable with. but how much are we actually doing about it? We tell one another to be kind, to slow down, and to talk but how often do we take our own advice? WORDS BY JENNY CROSS
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aking breaks has been shown to be vital in recovering from stress – which we all feel. This can, in turn, improve your performance. Recovering from work stress can restore energy and mental resources and decrease the development of fatigue. So why are we not prioritising a time out? Sometimes life runs at such a fast pace that we need to just stop, get off the merry go round and take time out. I took some time out last week and spent the day at Ragdale Hall. Leicestershire is lucky enough to have this awardwinning privately-owned, destination spa. Situated in the beautiful Melton Mowbray countryside, Ragdale Hall Spa combines state of the art facilities with the charm of traditional Victorian architecture. Greeted with a warm welcome, I was given my day’s schedule and a latte. I looked over the day’s plans and slowly made my way to the changing rooms to dump my bag – a metaphor for the stress I’ve been carrying around with me – before heading over to the Heart 78 | NICHE
THE TIME OUT ALLOWED ME TO REBOOT MY MIND, MAKING ME MORE PRODUCTIVE IN THE DAYS THAT FOLLOWED
and Soul Studios for a PT session with Harvey. In all the years I have been going to Ragdale, I have never taken the opportunity to do a workout, but as someone who often visits a gym to destress, I think it was a great way to shake off the weight of all my responsibilities before truly unwinding. Harvey talked me through the session and set out a circuit for me. Bike, Slam Bags, TRX Row, Farmer’s Walk, Hilt Mill and Wall Sits – short 45 second bursts of full-pelt exercises with 30 seconds between each activity. It was a tough session, but I was made to feel at ease throughout by an experienced PT who paid attention and made me feel at ease whilst pushing me to train as hard as I could – a great skill to have. Having bust my backside in the gym, I showered and hit the jacuzzi. Making the most of the facilities is a must. With six pools, heat and water experiences in the thermal spa, this place exceeds all expectations every time. Taking a walk over to the dining room, I enjoyed a buffet and
a glass of fizz. I am always amazed at the quality and choice available. Taking my time, I then chose to relax in the outdoor pool, letting the jets hit my shoulders before moving around to the treatment area. My name was called by senior beauty therapist Baljit who treated me to a 50-minute massage treatment. Baljit, was fantastic. Words can’t begin to explain how good it felt to lie there and truly unwind. After some more relaxing, I decided to have a look around the shop and treated myself to a few products (I just can’t help myself when I’m there!). I left feeling destressed as I had been able to unwind. The time out allowed me to reboot my mind, making me more productive in the days that followed. I also noticed my concentration levels had increased and I was making clearer, smarter decisions. Taking time out isn’t selfish, it’s smart. It’s also needed when you work hard. My advice is book a day at Ragdale! Find a menu of treatments designed to destress at ragdalehall.co.uk/treatments.
