Wellness & Mindset - House Of Coco Magazine

Food & Drink February 28, 2020

Hello, is it tea you’re looking for?

Magic, madness or medicinal miracle? Debby Donnelly-Addison checks out some pretty unique teas making some pretty powerful claims in Marrakech.

I was watching an old Jamie Oliver show a few months ago, a show from a simpler time, before he set out to save us all from turkey twizzlers and two for one pizzas. He was wandering through a souk in Marrakech when a stall holder tried to sell him teas and spices that would do everything from cure a migraine, to make your wife want to do more housework. A tea that entices others to sort your house out, maybe do a bit of ironing or creosote the fence? Yep, I’m having a bit of that.

I’ve always had an interest in herbal medicine. Not that I would rely on it completely, but I think that anything that is effective, even via the placebo effect, should be given some consideration. So when I received the work booking for Marrakech last October, I knew I wouldn’t be able to resist hunting down Jamie’s tea salesman and giving this a go for myself, for you, and for science (ok, not for “science” per se, but let me feel special for five minutes here).

Don’t chai this at home, kids.

It so happened that finding one specific retailer in souks is no mean feat. A labyrinth of alleyways and narrow roads, this wasn’t going to be as easy as I had initially anticipated. The riad I was staying in had provided me with a mobile that looked like a burner phone from the movies and made me feel like an international criminal/drug dealer. I pulled it out of my bag to call the riad guardian for directions, when a man pushing a cart stopped alongside me and told me to follow him “somewhere really good”. Now I know what you’re thinking. I’ve seen the crime documentaries too, this is usually the point where I’m sitting on the sofa, shoving mozzeralla sticks in my mouth whilst shouting “don’t do it you stupid woman” at the television. Nonetheless, I found myself following this guy. I would stop every now and again, weighing up whether I was off to lose some organs, only to be met with the assurance “you’ll really want to see this”. So I carried on following him, hopeful that I’m not heading to my doom, but also grateful that I’m wearing a nice dress, you know, in case they show a photo of my corpse on the Netflix documentary of my untimely demise.

Much to my utter relief and elation, the mystery cart man led me to the front door of Ksour Bio, a store that sold, you guessed it, magic/medicinal tea. I hadn’t told him that this was what I was looking for, I had blindly followed him through the souks like a lemming about to leap off a cliff, so this was a pretty nice surprise. I was greeted by Abdul, a genuinely friendly man who wore a Liverpool FC kit with a white coat over the top to assert his position as a man of medicine. I told him why I was there and he was thrilled. Really, really thrilled. He was so passionate about what he sold and what it could do, I actually felt a little guilty for not taking this more seriously. He told me that his biggest seller was “Royal tea”, a blend that’s very popular with students and anyone that needs a strong focus. After scooping the mixture of scented flowers and heady herbs into a bag, he then began darting around the room, picking jars of powders and petals from the shelves to put together three more custom blends for me to take home. One shelf featured a row of jars of coloured powders with the word “MAGIC” in bold on the front. “They add colour to the tea”, Abdul explained. “So they’re food dye?” I asked. “No, they’re magic”, he frowned. I suddenly found it hard to take this seriously again.

Abdul tried his best to sell me Viagra as I left, assuring me that he doesn’t need it himself and has never tried it, but that it’s very good. I politely declined and was met with a smile and a piece of paper with his phone number on, in case I “ever wanted to go for a cup of tea”. A nice offer, but after 2 headspinning hours in the tea store, I wanted to get back and get to work on my highly scientific experiment.

How it works:

Once I landed back in the UK and had gotten the tea through customs, something I had been a bit worried about given it’s rather conspicuous appearance, I decided to try each tea for a month. I had enough for one or two cups a day, and would not be telling anyone what I was up to. Other than regular breakfast tea, I only drink water, so switching what I was drinking wouldn’t be too much of a hardship. Four teas over four months, one of them has to work, right?

First up: Energy tea (ginger, Moroccan ginseng, star anise)

I had to try this one first because I had been travelling extensively and was pretty worn out. The scent was amazing: autumnal herbs invoking memories of crisp morning walks and golden sunsets. The flavour? Liquorice that had been left out in the loft. Over summer. During a heatwave. I knew I wasn’t going to enjoy this.

Abdul had assured me that this tea would not only provide me with a much needed boost, it would also surround me with inspiring energy, making those around me want to work harder and do more too. For the first week, nothing much happened. I didn’t seem to be “inspiring” anyone. In fact, by 2pm on set one afternoon, I found one of the photographers asleep in the prop room and I too considered taking a nap on top of a chest freezer. This was not working out as I had hoped, and I still had three weeks of attic-dust tea to endure.

However, half way into week two, I found myself feeling a little more lively. Rather than waving my arm over my head to hit my Fitbit target (whilst watching tv and eating chicken wings with my free hand), I found I genuinely wanted to move more. By week three, my restlessness was such that I was taking myself off on a walk or run at 11pm at night just to wind down. I live in a close knit community and knew that my twilight escapades would no doubt cause suspicion, but I’m a scientist now, and I’m not going to allow gossip to get in the way of this crucial experiment. I carried on with the tea and the late night energy explosions until the end of week four, by which point I was convinced I was definitely ready to enter a marathon and was getting two hours less sleep each night. The lack of sleep wasn’t bothering me too much though because I felt invincible. What a month.

The verdict: This tea definitely gave me more energy, but made me, in the words of one of my friends, “100% more annoying”. Whilst the energy boost from guzzling ginseng all day was kinda fun, it did halter my concentration and I found myself getting agitated more easily. I love ginger, but this tasted nothing like that and I didn’t enjoy it at all. Great for a boost when you need it, but I think if I carried on drinking this stuff I’d be able to taste colours and see sounds by now.

Next in line: Sleep and Serenity (turmeric, camomile, lemon grass, hibiscus)

I had initially planned on testing this one last, but after a month of ginseng induced insomnia, changes had to be made. Just like it’s predecessor, this smells heavenly, but unlike last month’s offering, it tasted really nice. Given the nature of the tea, I decided to have one cup around 6pm and the other around bedtime. Abdul had claimed that this tea would draw nothing but peaceful souls towards me, ensuring serene days and restful nights. My internal monologue for the previous month had featured nothing but swearing and screaming, so I was looking forward to giving it a go.

This tea took a little longer to kick in, but that could be because I had spent the last few weeks fuelled by Abdul’s energy concoction. However, when it hit, it hit hard. Instead of my sleep returning to the solid 8 hours per night it had been pre-experiment, I was sleeping 9-10 hours some nights. I wasn’t feeling particularly serene either, if anything, my tolerance for incompetence was decreasing rapidly. I hoped this would at least be eased by the abundance of warm and peaceful souls I had been promised would be attracted to me, but judging by the behaviour of several motorists on the M6 that month, that wasn’t working either. I felt tired and groggy and fed up.

About three weeks in, I noticed one distinct advantage to this: Although I wasn’t feeling better, I was starting to look better. My hair fell into place with little effort, my skin was clear, I was putting outfits together with ease every day. Then I spoke to my friend Sue: “you look exactly the same, you’re just tired and smashed all the time so your standards have lowered”. Taking a look through the photos on my phone, she was right. I had just stopped caring as much because all I could think about was napping. Thankfully, there were only four days left meaning there wasn’t enough time for me to go full slob on this and develop a penchant for “just nipping to the shops in my pyjamas”.

The verdict: I’m on the fence with this one. Sure, I may have slept a LOT more than I had done previously, but I don’t know whether that was down to the tea or because I was suffering with withdrawal symptoms from last month’s power blend. I cut down to one cup a day during the last week of this month, but I was still sleeping excessively and didn’t feel like doing anything really. Tasted pretty good, though.

Third up: Royal tea (ginger, hibiscus flower, lemon grass, rose, star anise, cinnamon, turmeric)

Abdul’s best seller, I was really looking forward to this. With a light, lemony scent and delicate flavour, this was my favourite of the four and the only blend that I would happily drink regularly instead of regular breakfast tea. Promising concentration, good sleep, and helping draw creative individuals towards you, this brew sounded right up my street.

Within a week of substituting last month’s “dreamy sleepy nighty snoozey snooze” blend for this, my sleep was back to normal and my energy levels felt, well, pretty great. I don’t know whether it was the fact that everything was nicely balanced again or because this tea is indeed magic, but my head felt clear and I was putting out some pretty good work. I was on one particularly awful trip abroad during week two of this blend, but the unfortunate events that unfolded didn’t phase me as much as they normally would have. I was able to take stress in my stride and remain creative throughout the chaos. I felt like myself on a good day, every day. Did it attract other creatives towards me? Well, no, unless you count my dogs figuring out how to get onto the kitchen worktop to get the bowl of chicken I had left out. That said, my dogs aren’t the brightest of canines, so this could be another win for the tea.

By the time I got to the end of week three, I started to feel myself return to my pre-experiment self. I don’t know if I was building up a tolerance to it, or whether I was just running out of ideas, but I just wasn’t getting as excited about my work. The creative juices were drying up and I started to feel a little restless again. By the time the four weeks were up, I felt like my old self, but well rested and less agitated than before.

The verdict: I don’t know whether this tea only has a short term effect or if life had just been getting me down by the end of it, but I’ve saved half a bag for my next big work project because I do believe it helped me on some level. The feedback from my friends was that I seemed the same in myself, but my “Instagram looked amazing” and I was putting out some of my best work. I also got some wonderful feedback from my clients and made some very powerful work contacts during this month, so I was clearly operating on a higher level than normal. Whether the tea had anything to do with it, I don’t know, but I certainly wouldn’t be adverse to trying this one again in future.

And finally: Love tea (nutmeg casing, royal jelly, mimosa)

Ok, now for the big kahuna: A tea that promises happiness, wellness, and makes those in your presence either fall in love with you or at least be kinder and more understanding towards you. If you make big claims then I want big results, and you can bet your bottom dollar that I’m going to seriously push my luck testing this out.

Visually, this is not the most appealing looking tea. The nutmeg casing isn’t too bad to look at when dry, but add some hot water and you’ve got what looks like slugs floating around your cuppa. It smells and tastes like sweet pot pourri, but I was willing to make that sacrifice to test the bold claims Abdul made about this particular concoction. I had one cup at breakfast and one at lunchtime to ensure that everyone I met throughout my working day could bask in the wonderful glow this tea would surely produce. I had a feeling this would be a fun month.

I know what you’re all thinking, did I have men falling at my feet? No. But did I have at least a few propositions? Also no. Was I disappointed? Absolutely not. You see, the unexpected perk of testing something that makes such an elaborate claim is that you open up to possibilities, you view people in a different way. You find yourself listening to them more intently and thinking about what they have to say. I found myself having deeper, more positive conversations with my friends and colleagues. I connected with people more rather than rushing off to get back to what I was doing or making an excuse to leave. It was nice.

I had pretty much grasped by week three that I wasn’t going to be getting any unwanted/unsolicited proposals (thank goodness), so I decided to see if people would be kinder to me if I pushed my luck a little. I started by sending pitches to people I would never expect a “yes” from and got nothing but green lights. I asked my friend Chris if he could get me a taser from work (extreme, I know, but, SCIENCE). He laughed and said “I’ll see what I can do”, which was blatantly a joke but a far cry from the lecture I was expecting from a responsible adult who takes his job a lot more seriously than I do. I found that whenever I asked for anything, people said yes. Either I wasn’t asking enough in the past, or this is some pretty powerful tea I’m guzzling. The only downside during this month was I started having some pretty vivid, messed up dreams. Nothing too awful, but enough for me to wake up rattled or angry at people for things they had done in my dream despite having no control over what goes on in my head. I wasn’t sure whether this was due to the tea or life in general, but the crazed dreams pretty much stopped a day or two after my experiment ended.

The verdict: I’ll be honest, I don’t think this tea did anything to me physically, magically, or mentally (with the exception of the dreams), but the anticipation and expectation of what would or could happen meant I lived and felt differently. I felt able to speak up for what I wanted, and more receptive to people saying yes. I do feel my friendships benefitted from this, although I could achieve this just by changing my attitude and taking myself out of work-mode a little more often. Sadly, in this case, I don’t free the tea contributed to this month’s changes, although I’ll come back and edit this if a gift wrapped taser turns up on my birthday next month.

The Results

Ok, I’ll admit, there’s definitely something to this medicinal tea lark. I know I didn’t take it too seriously at first, but I can’t deny that I experienced some major changes to my sleep patterns and energy levels during this period of highly scientific study. Did I experience any mythical, magical life changing experiences? No. But would I do it again? Absolutely, particularly with the royal tea if I had a big project coming up, or the energy tea if I fancied going on a psychedelic journey through time and space. It’s been an interesting four months, I’ll definitely by trying more blends next time I visit Marrakech and recommend that you do the same. And with that, I’m off to hang up my lab coat and await my Nobel Prize nomination. Get the kettle on.

Destination Inspiration February 3, 2020

Experience Awards Season like a Celebrity in West Hollywood

With the new year comes Hollywood’s awards season. It kicked-off with a glittering bang last weekend with the 77th Golden Globe Awards- thank you for the laughs, Ricky Gervais! – and if you’re anything like me, with that comes the anticipation of who is wearing what and generally, just basking in the fabulousness of it all. But how do the stars get red-carpet ready? From sweat lodges to vitamin injections, #TeamCoco got the scoop on on how they make the most of West Hollywood’s world-famous wellness and shopping experiences, in the heart of Los Angeles.

Sweat it out at the ‘Urban Sweat Lodge’: Join one of West Hollywood’s alternative sweat sessions at the Shape House, offering a sweating experience wrapped in a heated blanket whilst watching Netflix. During the sweat session, the heart receives a workout similar to that of a ten-mile run, resulting in an intense, detoxifying, health-boosting sweat, burning 800-1,600 calories. Individual sweat sessions cost $65.

Revitalise with vitamin injections: Rehab Wellness is a medical wellness centre, offering a variety of healthcare and aesthetics to help guests feel better, look younger and live longer. One of the most popular treatments on offer is the vitamin injection, with shots starting from $24. Benefits include increased energy and metabolism, improved digestion and skin health.

Give your face a workout: Opened inside the 1 Hotel in September, FaceGym has made its way to LA following the opening of six locations in the UK and one in New York City. The concept is for ‘Trainers’ to perform a range of non-invasive workouts for your face and employ the latest cutting-edge technology and high-performance skincare products.

Pause, breathe and unplug: Unplug Meditation, the world’s first drop-in, secular meditation studio, opened its doors in West Hollywood in April 2014. The wide variety of simple and eclectic classes are led by top experts, inspiring visits to pause, breathe and unplug daily, to get calmer, healthier and happier.

Make like the stars and shop!

Design District: West Hollywood’s Design District home to California’s premier design, art, fashion and beauty stores. Surrounding the Pacific Design Center – home to more than 100 trade-only showrooms – are dozens of shops offering one of a kind home goods and clothing, to get you ready for a night of celebration.

Melrose Avenue: Melrose Avenue is one of LA’s most iconic streets, with a wide variety of trendy shops and restaurants. Those looking to stand out can head to Melrose Place, which offers an eye-popping array of designer stores, including Isabel Marant and Marc Jacobs, as well as carefully curated boutiques.

Award season hotspots and where to stay:

The West Hollywood EDITION: Located on the corner of West Sunset Boulevard and North Doheny Drive, the recently opened West Hollywood EDITION features 190 design-forward luxury rooms and suites, along with 20 residences. Each room boasts indulgent bedding, inviting baths and Le Labo products, as well as floor-to-ceiling windows receiving impressive views of the LA skyline. Guestscan revel in a rooftop pool, six-treatment room spa, lobby lounge, basement club and signature restaurant.

Kimpton La Peer Hotel: Kimpton La Peer Hotel can be found in the heart of the city’s lively Design District. La Peer signals “unbuttoned luxury” with its chic European-styled rooms, complete with white oak herringbone floors, a calming colour palette and deep soaking baths. It’s an intimate place with just 105 guestrooms and suites and a pool that’s refreshingly casual – accented with Gaudi tiles, shady olive trees and a vertical garden wall.

Hotel 850 SVB: A sister property to the iconic Sunset Tower Hotel – which held one of the Golden Globes after parties this year – Hotel 850 SVB offers a chic home-from-home in the heart of West Hollywood. The hotel offers 23 beautifully appointed rooms, a communal living room, large rooftop terrace and modern pantry where guests can enjoy meals from Chefs from across the city, located within the historical bungalow façade, tucked away in a residential street.

Afternoon Tea January 31, 2020

Coco Crush: 6 Tasty Treats

We have been super healthy all month at #TeamCoco (well, almost all month), so it’s time to let our hair down, dive head first into our January payday funds, and enjoy a tasty treat or two.

February is basically here, and with it brings the month of love, so why not love yourself and tuck into something delicious, nutritious, and thoroughly enjoyable?

Check out these delectable foodie treats and divine drinks to get you through the month ahead. We have included a seriously good sugar alternative, a flavoursome Mexican recipe, a super selection of cooking sauces, a rich vegan cheese, a mindful cup of tea, and an excellent rose negroni cocktail.

What’s not to love about February!

Natvia

Natvia is a great tasting sweetener made from 100% naturally sourced GMO-free ingredients. It tastes deliciously sweet, with no bitter aftertaste, or nasty chemicals – typical of other artificial sweeteners. If that wasn’t enough, Natvia has zero calories per serving. That’s 100% less calories than sugar.

Natvia is created from a unique blend of organic Stevia (a sweet leafed plant) and erythritol (a natural nectar found in melons and grapes) making it 100% natural.

Not only for your morning cuppa, try sprinkling Natvia over porridge, baking your best Mary Berry cake creation, or even adding to savoury sauces, such as curry or bolognaise, for that extra special touch.

Priced at £5 (300g), available from Tesco stores and tesco.com

Old El Paso

Old El Paso, the UK’s favourite Mexican food brand is bringing the celebrated
Super Bowl party to the nation as they join forces with NFL as the official UK partner of Super Bowl LIV.

This weekend is Super Bowl Sunday. Traditionally, it was an American celebration, but with American Football growing in popularity Mexican food brand Old El Paso want to show you how to throw the infamous Super Bowl Party in style.

Why not try half-time Halloumi Fajitas? Recipe below:

Ingredients: Halloumi, veg oil, mixed peppers, black beans, sour cream, jalapeños, avocado slices, Old El Paso Crispy Crumb Seasoning, Old El Paso Flour Tortillas, Old El Paso Salsa.

Method: Slice halloumi into 1cm thick slices and mix with veg oil and Old El Paso Crispy Crumb Seasoning, to coat. Pan fry halloumi alongside peppers until lightly golden and crispy on each side. Microwave Old El Paso Soft Flour Tortillas 35-40 seconds. Lay the crispy halloumi on the warm flour tortillas; add black beans, avocado and cooling sour cream. For a real kick add jalapenos and finish with Old El Paso Salsa. Serve

Old El Paso Fajita Kits, Salsa, and Flour Tortillas available from most UK supermarkets.

Bay’s Kitchen

Bay’s Kitchen, the innovative new range of award-winning FODMAP-friendly, gluten-free certified, vegan-approved, stir in sauces. Featuring six tasty flavours – Mild Korma, Thai Green Curry, Tikka Masala, Jalfrezi Curry, Sweet & Sour, and Tomato & Basil.

Low FODMAP is the only scientifically approved diet to help relieve IBS sufferers from symptoms like uncomfortable bloating, changes in bowel habits, fatigue and stomach cramps.

Priced at £3.95 (per 260g jar), available from Morrisons, Ocado, and bayskitchen.com

Camelia

So, you enjoyed Veganuary and are continuing into the next few months, and want to up your game when it comes to a cheeseboard. Check out the tasty brie-like vegan alternative Camelia.

This bloomy rind fermentino is an organic 100% plant based vegan cheese made from cashews and macadamia nuts, and it makes a vegan cheeseboard burst with flavour.

Priced at £8.95 (100g), available from abelandcole.co.uk

Tea Makers of London, SANE Blend

The Tea Makers of London have partnered with mental health charity, SANE, to support their vital work in campaigning, researching and providing care for those in mental health crisis, and together they have created a special herbal blend.

With months of tea trials and expert blending, a special herbal infusion has been created – Refreshing SANE Herbal Blend.

The tea is a comforting herbal infusion of chamomile blossoms, tangerine and rose blossoms. This refreshing loose leaf tea makes for a delicately aromatic infusion, ideal for enjoying during a quiet moment in the day. This is a mild and sweet blend with citrus notes and ginger, perfected with wellbeing in mind.

Priced at £7.95 (80g caddy), available from theteamakers.co.uk

Lanique Spirit of Rose Liqueur

Have you ever tried Lanique Spirit of Rose? When you drink Lanique you’re drinking the true Spirit of Rose. Enjoyed for over 200 years, throughout European aristocracy by kings, queens and emperors, Lanique is the pure distillation of 18th century splendour recreated in this modern world.

Lanique have suggested trying a Lanique Rose Negroni and we are all over it. A floral twist on a bitter classic, this serve packs a high-spirited punch with a delicate rosy finish.

You will need:

12.5ml Lanique, 12.5ml dry vermouth, 25ml gin, 25ml Campari. Simply serve over ice and garnish with an orange wedge.

Priced at £31.95 (70cl), available from masterofmalt.com, alternatively visit lanique.co.uk for more information about the brand and for other cocktail recipes.

Fashion January 7, 2020

“I’m ok” (and other lies): Safeguarding mental health in freelance creatives

January can be pretty rough on all of us. The days are still relatively short, the Christmas decorations are back in the attic, and it’s time to return to work after the holidays. At a time of year when many are silently fretting over making their December paycheque last until (what feels like) the 72nd January, many freelance creatives haven’t been paid at all. In fact, the likelihood is, they haven’t carried out any billable work in weeks, with studios closing down for Christmas and no one available to discuss their next contract with. Shockingly, of all the freelancers I know (and there are plenty of them), only 3 have confirmed work for January, the rest left in limbo over the festive period, not knowing where or when their next job will crop up. Although this is only the tip of the iceberg, it’s not surprising that freelance creatives are three times more likely to suffer from a mental health issue.

Before we get down and dirty with this, if you’ve clicked on this article because you’re in a really bad place right now, please, seek help immediately. Contact your GP, call the Samaritans on 116 123, or if you’re considering harming yourself, go to A&E and speak to the crisis team. If possible, let a family member or friend know how you’re feeling and see if they can accompany you. If you don’t have anyone to support and encourage you to do this then, hey, hi, I’m Deb, I’m your friend now and I want you to go and get some help because you shouldn’t be suffering alone.

Why are freelance creatives more susceptible to mental health issues?

Let’s face it, the reasons most of us choose to go freelance are the reasons why so many of us struggle mentally. Freedom from the 9-5 can quickly turn into unregular, unhealthy work patterns. Travel can lead to isolation. No earning limits can slide down into financial pressures. Creative freedom can become an obsession with perfection. The blessings can become a curse, and yet the majority would rather tolerate these issues than re-enter the conventional work force. Ok, I get it, I would rather gnaw off my own arm than go back to working in an office, but we mustn’t let our innate passion for creative independence cause problems elsewhere.

Approximately 15% of the working population is self employed. That’s 5 million of us, 60% of whom report feeling their mental health has been negatively affected since deciding to fly solo (the most common problems being anxiety and depression). Creativity and creative output often come from deeply personal experiences: pain, suffering and vulnerability. We create some of our best work when drawing upon emotive memories and, whilst we may be pleased with the end result, the accompanying emotional exhaustion can be overwhelming. You don’t have to be working on a Michelangelo level masterpiece, I’m talking day to day projects that unwittingly take more from you that you realise. I felt overwhelming guilt for some time because I felt I just couldn’t converse with anyone for at least an hour after returning home from working on set (despite the 90 minute commute inbetween). One day, a food stylist friend of mine was telling me that he’s had to cancel plans in the past because they were within a couple of hours of finishing work and he knew he just couldn’t deal with socialising. We had “only” been prepping, styling and photographing food on set, and yet it took so much out of us creatively, mentally and physically, we just didn’t want to be around other people. I’m so incredibly grateful I had that conversation that day because it made me realise that it’s ok to shut down and recharge for a little while.

Why a work tribe is so important

Ok, I’ll admit, I used to low key cringe whenever I’d see “inspirational” quotes on Instagram preaching how “your vibe attracts your tribe”. But, oh boy, do we need other likeminded people in our lives. Don’t panic, I’m not suggesting 9-5 levels of co-workers with at least one accounts assistant called Karen who will irrationally hate you, and a sleazy office sales guy who steals food from the fridge. We need other people because there are conversations that need to happen, ideas that need to be discussed. Isolation and loneliness can compromise the immune system, leading to insomnia and depression. If you’re not seeing or in contact with other people on a regular basis, these things can fester and bloom. A survey of freelance creatives found that 60% had experienced suicidal thoughts, 37% had made a plan of how to do it, and, heartbreakingly, 16% had attempted to take their own life. Although only a third had visited a GP, 88.5% said they would speak to a friend or co-worker. This isn’t as likely to happen if the individual concerned is working alone the majority of the time.

A couple of years ago, I was becoming increasingly stressed and tired. I loved my work, but I was obsessed with it, so much so, that I was utterly unaware that I was fading. Pressures to meet high standards and competition in the industry were taking its toll on me. One frosty evening, I was standing on my back step and staring at the stars when my husband walked into the kitchen and said ” the world wouldn’t be the same if you weren’t in it anymore”. That was the moment I realised something was horribly, horribly wrong. It took 3 weeks of crank calling my GP surgery for me to make an appointment, but I eventually built up the nerve to get some help. My doctor arranged for me to have some blood tests, which revealed that my blood count had dropped to a dangerously low level that required immediate intervention (and explained the tiredness and tearfulness of the months prior). Now for the kicker: this wasn’t the first time this had happened to me. In fact, back in 2010, I’d experienced the same issues along with a bone marrow condition that kept me off work for a year. The difference between 2010 and 2018 was that, this time around, I was working alone. There was no one around to tell me that it wasn’t normal for my mood to crash so dramatically if a shot wasn’t going to plan. Had I still worked in an office environment, I’m sure someone would have flagged up my 3 naps a day, or would have at least bitched about my hair falling out all over the place. As much as I begrudge to admit it, had I been around other people on a day to day basis, this issue would most likely have been flagged and rectified a lot earlier than it was.

Being part of a community isn’t just good for keeping an eye on each other, we need it to discuss, debate and relate, to get ideas and worries out in the open so they don’t develop into something unhealthy. Lack of feedback on projects and irregular working contracts can often leave freelance creatives feeling anxious and lost. Although work appraisals often invoke feelings of fear and dread, dealing with the polar opposite and having zero praise and/or suggestions on how to improve can leave one questioning if they are doing a good enough job. Also, whilst discussing money is often considered brash or taboo (although I’m pleased to see this stigma starting to lift in recent years), it’s pretty important in the creative sector to, well, let’s not beat around the bush here, make sure you’re not getting ripped off. Over 20% of freelancers are paid below the poverty line, which isn’t exactly conducive to good mental health. Poor pay and exploitative contracts can lower our sense of self worth whilst increasing the pressure we place on ourselves to do a good job in the hope of securing more, better paid, work in future. I once had a billion pound organisation ask me to write recipes for them in exchange for yoghurt. Yes, yoghurt. Sure, sounds like a great idea, I’m sure Natwest will let me pay my mortgage with a wheelbarrow of fruit corners. In all seriousness though, that’s just not cool. When I told them to speak to my agent if they want to make a serious offer, I was told “well if you don’t do it, someone else will for free”. That’s the value that the billion pound company put on my time. The company that pays its executives million pound salaries were happy to disregard my worth because they know they’ll find someone else to exploit. Fortunately, my work flow is pretty steady, so I was able to laugh it off and give the yoghurt aisle the finger every time I’m out shopping. But for someone lower down the ladder, or someone struggling to feel valued because they’re isolated and not coping mentally, that could have been a heavy blow. It’s imperative that we network with other freelancers so we can continue to build each other up when the corporate monster tries to make us feel that our skills, our innate creativity, is disposable and easily replaced.

I just don’t feel right. What can I do about this?

Well, first of all, I’m glad you’ve realised this, because now you can start taking steps to feel better and maybe get some outside help. Here are some pointers to guide you off into a happier, healthier, direction:

Decrease isolation by working on creating your own network. Sites such as MeetUp and Leapers can help hook you up with people working in the same industry, or simply other self employed individuals you can go and have a good rant with. If you’re able to do any work in house/for a studio, do so. There is one studio I work at along with the same familiar freelance faces and I absolutely love it there. It’s a zero filter environment where we spend our lunch hours discussing all manner of personal issues. Whilst this may sound a little out there, it’s cathartic and a much needed opportunity to discuss everything from our mental and financial wellbeing to sharing studio horror stories for each others amusement. If that level of openness is overwhelming or you don’t have any regular faces to vent to, just getting out and doing some work in a coffee shop or other public place can help alleviate feelings of loneliness and isolation.
Speak to a friend. I know it can be hard sharing these feelings with those out of the industry: the majority of my friends think I have the most glamorous, exciting job on the planet and cannot comprehend why I sometimes want to stick my head in the oven. I find it can help to start the conversation by telling them that you don’t expect them to understand, you just need someone to listen. If you don’t have anyone you feel you can have these conversations with, the kind souls at Samaritans will always lend a friendly ear.
Try and stick to set working hours. It’s all too easy to procrastinate or push yourself too far and end up working into the small hours. Take a lunch hour, just as you would in a conventional work environment. When your working day is done, shut down your business emails and don’t look at them until the next day. I know this isn’t easy now that social media has created an expectation that we should all be reachable 24/7, but this isn’t good for you mentally or physically. Change your email settings so you don’t receive notifications out of work hours. A terrifying prospect at first, but gloriously liberating in the long run.
Don’t, and I cannot stress this enough, fall into comparing yourself to industry rivals on social media. Instagram is our highlights reel, not our behind the scenes footage. The person you may see pulling in 50k likes per photo and collaborating with industry giants may be getting paid in yoghurt or worrying about their next contract just as much as you are.
Don’t stress over the word “no”. Sometimes a contract just isn’t right for you. Sometimes your proposal may have needed a little more development. Sometimes someone else may have come along and offered to do the same job for free, at a lesser price, or in exchange for product (I’m not bitter, honest). Breathe, let it go, and move on.
Get feedback. I know this sounds terrifying, but a brief email or discussion can really help you develop, build your confidence, and gain more work in future. You’re not being needy, a quick email stating how much you enjoyed a project and asking about your performance can go a long way towards building positive working relationships which, in turn, will help reduce isolation and loneliness.

It’s not all doom and gloom

Hey, I’m not here to put a downer on working in the creative freelance sector, for the most part, it’s pretty sweet. Creativity in itself is proven to reduce anxiety, depression and stress, and is known to help process trauma. Some of my best work has come from having a really bad time and created as a means to escape whatever I’m going through. There’s a line in Michael Rosen’s “Sad Book” (a beautiful expression of dealing with depression after the loss of his son and mother) which says “every day I try to do one thing I can be proud of. Then, when I go to bed, I think very, very, very hard about this one thing”. When I woke up this morning, I wasn’t feeling too great. Instead of wallowing in bed, I dragged myself up, wrote a recipe for madeleines, baked and photographed them, then whacked it up on Insta whilst eating half a dozen of the rascals and listening to a bit of Joanie Mitchell. Getting the creative juices flowing not only lifted my mood, but it fired me up to dust off my laptop and write this article. Plus I got to eat madeleines. Bonus.

For many, the highs of being a freelance creative far outweigh the lows. The freedom to work without boundaries, to not be confined to one workspace, to travel, to do what sets your soul on fire, it’s no wonder that 67% state that, overall, they are happy. If you’re in the fortunate group who are happy and content, there’s no harm in following up some of these tips yourself and building your own little network (if you haven’t already). You may not realise how much your mere presence means to someone else.

Help and support

If you require urgent help, call 111, attend A&E, or ask your GP for an emergency appointment. Do not feel ashamed to express how you’re feeling, they’re there to help.
Samaritans have confidential telephone, email and text based services 24 hours a day, 365 days of the year. You can contact them via www.samaritans.org or by telephone on 116 123.
www.mentalhealthandmoneyadvice.org provide excellent resources for anyone whose mental health is being affected by their financial situation.
www.leapers.co are a friendly online network of freelancers, perfect for anyone struggling to travel to meet ups in person.
www.meetup.com is great for finding local groups, or even setting up your own.
www.mind.org.uk has a telephone and text based service that provides advice on a wide range of mental health issues.

To quote Michael Rosen one last time: “Every day I try and do one thing that means I have a good time. It can be anything so long as it doesn’t make anyone else unhappy”. Regardless of whether you’re in a good or bad place right now, I urge you to give this a try. The role of tortured artist may be cool in movies, but in real life, it sucks. Try and get out there and build your own little support network. You never know when you, or they, may need it.

Beauty December 12, 2019

Cool Laser Treatment

We hit our late twenties and we become all-consumed with reversing the signs of ageing; drinking gallons of water, slathering on eye serums by the bucket-load and avoiding the sun like you’d avoid Tinder after midnight.

But no matter how much we spend, we often can’t undo the existing damage from the earlier, less responsible years.

But imagine if there was a magical treatment that could reset your skin to its former baby self? To the face you had before the nineties tanning-bed phase had resulted in pigmentation, before birth-control-induced melasma and before you popped and scratched at spots to give rise to discolouration and scarring.

INTRODUCING COOL LASER FROM NOVUS MEDICAL

Celebrities such as Kim Kardashian, Olivia Culpo and Jenna Dewan Tatum are huge fans of the treatment and often share their trips to see their cosmetic dermatologist on their social media accounts.

Jenna Dewan heralding it as the reason that she can now ‘go mostly makeup free with no filters or retouching.’

And Olivia Culpo saying that it ‘helps to get rid of discolouration and sun damage and makes your skin look more “glowy”.’

But up until mid 2019, if you googled dermatologists and cosmetic doctors who offer Cool Laser in the UK, you’d be severely disappointed as it was only available at a handful of luxury clinics in Beverly Hills. But now, it’s available in the UK.

Dr Vincent Wong is a leading cosmetic doctor at Renova Clinic in Marylebone, London. He’s the first doctor in the UK to be using the Cool Laser and has already seen celebrities enjoying the results – recently welcoming Fleur East in to the clinic to get her skin ready in advance of her wedding. Sinitta, Sam Bailey and Nadia Forde have also visited Dr Wong for the treatment ahead of its launch to the public.

‘With Cool Laser we’re able to create smoother, clearer skin that is resurfaced from the inside out – and we’re able to stimulate the growth of new collagen which is important when we’re trying to turn back the hands of time.’ Dr Wong explains.

The treatment – most commonly used to treat scars, wrinkles, acne scars and sun damage – improves skin tone, smoothes out fine lines, and evens out skin discoloration by treating tiny sections of the skin at a time.

‘It’s a dual-mode, high-definition, fractionated Erbium laser,’ he continues. ‘It’s significantly different to existing lasers in that it cools the skin while simultaneously emitting microscopically thin columns of laser… It’s the middle ground between having a treatment that’s effective enough, while still promising minimal downtime.”

This nifty Cool Laser device that boasts a vast array of treatments works in a different way to many of the other lasers on the market as it only targets the water in the skin. Not wishing to bore you with science, it does this because it’s an Erbium laser. Erbium emits a wavelength of light that only affects the water, leaving the surrounding tissue undamaged.

It’s delivered in a series of very fast pulses, which feel a little like being flicked with a rubber band. This means that it’s not heating the skin itself so it’s far less painful and there’s no need for air-cooling of the skin as there is with some other types of lasers.

So, if you’re interested to find out more then head over to www.harleystreetemporium.com and search for Dr Vincent Wong from the list of Doctors. Or visit www.renovaclinic.co.uk where you will find Dr Vincent Wong straight away.

Prices start at £300 for Cool Laser and rise to £4,500 depending on the required treatment.

Beauty November 22, 2019

Hygge Bathtime

It is definitely the season to be cosy, warm and comfortable when you arrive home from work, and #TeamCoco are all about the relaxing effects that hygge can have on your mind and body.

We have looked at a few ways of how you can turn your bathroom into a luxurious hygge bathtime for your self-care date. Simply set aside a couple of hours and spend an evening in the bath relaxing to your favourite meditation tunes while you surround yourself with a few luxuries that are reserved for much needed calmness.

Lets start with setting the scene, you will need a few candles, and a dim light in the bathroom, then you can start running a bath by adding some muscle relaxing bubbles, or a seaweed bath if you’re feeling adventurous. Don’t forget to set up your bath caddy with a luxurious soap, a loofah and a book or magazine. Once these are in place make sure you’ve got a hair treatment kit and a face mask at the ready, so that you can hygge in style.

Skincare

Little Soap Company Organic Bar, Lavender & Citrus, £3.99 (110g), available from www.littlesoapcompany.co.uk or www.waitrose.com

A little ray of soapy sunshine, this lavender and citrus organic bar will refresh, tone, cleanse and purify your skin. Made with the finest ingredients and free from detergents, SLS, alcohol, parabens, sorbates, silicones, sulphates, and preservatives.

Alteya Organics Instant Detox Face Mask, Rose Jasmine, £29 (100ml), available from www.lovelula.com

An ideal hygge addition to your bath relaxation routine, this face mask will refresh your skin, rid your face of dirt and grime, and it will help to keep your skin glowing through the colder seasons.

Alive Muscle Ease Bath Foam, £5 (500ml), available from www.sainsburys.co.uk

Dead sea salts make this the ultimate magnesium powered bath foam, which help to melt away muscle aches and pains, and re-energise your body. Eucalyptus and seaweed deliver a deep cleanse and body revival.

VOYA Lazy Days Seaweed Bath, £19 (400g), available from www.voya.ie

Seaweed baths have been used for generations to help with the care and repair of the skin. The Lazy Days seaweed by VOYA will naturally re-hydrate and spring back to life releasing its soothing and moisturizing properties.

OSMO Deep Moisture Gift Set, £19.99, available from hair salons nationwide or via www.osmo.uk.com

This deeply hydrating gift set includes deep moisture shampoo (400ml), dual action miracle repair (250ml), and intensive deep repair mask (250ml). using all three products will result in silky, smooth, manageable hair.

Accessories

Neom Scents of Wellbeing Candles Gift Set, £45 (3 x 75g candles), available from www.showcasebeauty.com

A trio of winter wellbeing candles for your relaxation. The candles include Precious Moment an uplifting and versatile fragrance, Perfect Peace a warm wintry pine scent, and Christmas Wish infused with cinnamon and mandarin.

Hotel Organic Natural Loofah, £2.99, available from www.hotelorganic.co.uk

To give your skin a full body exfoliation use this loofah along with an organic soap, the results will be instant highlighting smooth, soft skin post-scrub.

Graham and Green Gold Bath Caddy with Stand, £35, available from www.grahamandgreen.co.uk

Once you have set this caddy up on your bath with your favourite book, beautiful soap, brand new loofah, and possibly a hot chocolate you are ready to enjoy the perfect hygge bathtime experience.

Beauty November 21, 2019

25 Days of Holiday Health Hacks – Ready, set, go!

The holidays are an exciting time, but with busy party schedules and the never-ending whatsapp groups, it can be hard to remember to take care of yourself! To make sure you make it to 2020 intact in mind, body and spirit, here are our 25 days of health tips.

Exercise

Its time to enlist exercise! We all love getting cosy inside with some cocoa and cookies, but a nice refreshing walk after dinner can do wonders for your body as well as your mind.

Start your morning right

Ever heard the saying: the way you start your morning will set the tone for your day? Well save those holiday treats for the evening and start your morning off right with a nutritious breakfast. Try NaIrn’s Gluten Free Porridge Oats (£2.00, Sainsbury’s) – they’re packed with fibre to keep you fuller for longer and provide long-lasting energy.

Did someone say Tea Time?

Take time for a tea break during the hectic holiday period! Not only does tea warm your body and taste yummy, but teas are also full of antioxidant properties and help promote overall health.

Search for the sun

Get as much sunlight as possible. This can be harder in the winter months because there is less sunlight, but your body needs Vitamin D, so prioritise getting outdoors or take a supplement. “If you can, get a liquid vitamin D3 and drop it under your tongue. It will go into the blood vessels under your tongue so it is absorbed quickly, rather than having to be digested if you take a capsule. I recommend NHP’s Vitamin D3 Support, (£12.97, www.naturalhealthpractice.com) free of preservatives, sweeteners and is suitable for pregnant women, children and adults,” advises the UK’s Leading Nutritionist Dr. Marilyn Glenville (www.glenvillenutrition.com).

Treat your dry skin

Stop skin from getting dry and dehydrated this winter by packing a tube of Nature’s Kitchen Gentle Therapy Rescue Cream (£8.99, Lovelula.com) in your bag. Evening primrose helps skin retain natural moisture; borage seed oil calms skin flare-ups and tamanu oil is the perfect anti-inflammatory.

Healthy can taste delicious

Host your own holiday get-togethers so you can cook with healthy and nutrient dense foods. Some of the supplements like SuperGreen TONIK taste much better than the other. Check them out at Super Greens Expert.

Control your indulgences

Indulge in holiday treats, but don’t let your indulgence last the entire month. Make healthier choices and spread out your holiday delights.

Stay cool

Getting flustered trying to do your shopping in stores that blast central heating? Spritz Alteya Organic’s Chamomile Water Spray (£7.95, Lovelula.com) to instantly cool irritated skin and add a bit of much needed hydration!

Hydration is key

Hydration is the key to a happy, healthy holiday. Holiday activities can drain you of your energy, so be sure to carry a refillable water bottle with you at all times and give your body the tools it needs to thrive this season.

Bundle up buttercup

Baby it is getting cold outside. Ward off winter illnesses by layering up for the cold weather! Keeping your head covered is vital as most body heat escapes from the top of your head.

Keep your lips soft for those mistletoe kisses

Swipe away the dull and dry to reveal the soft and supple. Alteya Organics’ Bulgarian Lavender Lip Balm (£3.60, Lovelula.com) is a natural remedy that will moisturise and soothe the harsh effects cold, wind and snow have on your lips.

Pick your favourites

Try new things, but don’t bother with treats you don’t absolutely love to keep your calorie intake reasonable.

Make healthier swaps

Approach your holiday chocolate with a healthy mind. Switch your regular milk chocolate for Ombar’s 72% Cacao (£2.99, Ocado), a dairy-free, plant-based chocolate that uses raw cacao, in all your dessert recipes this winter.

Steal a nap

We all love to stay up late in the winter months and enjoy a good holiday film or mingle with the family, but sleep is essential in maintaining your energy and fending off colds for the entire holiday season.

Get spicy this season

Use spices to fill your favourite seasonal dishes with flavour! Spices like fennel, cumin, ginger, anise, cinnamon, black pepper, turmeric and cardamom all help with digestion and have anti-inflammatory effects.

Let your skin glow

Don’t let the craziness of the holiday’s sap your skin’s healthy glow. Use D’ALCHEMY’s Super Rich Multi-Hydrator (£40.00, dalchemyskincare.uk) to add long lasting, deep hydration and help your skin become smooth, radiant, firmer and more elastic.

Stressmass – no more!

“Christmas can be a stressful time. Plan well in advance rather than leaving things to the last minute, as excess stress can cause glucose levels to rise as part of the ‘fight or flight’ stress response,” explains Dr. Sarah Brewer, working in association with CuraLin the type-2 diabetes supplement (www.curalife.co).

Set goals before the holidays

Staying healthy can be a challenge during the holidays, so set your goals beforehand and stick to them like you would at any other time of the year!

Moisturise

In the shower, your skin loses a lot of moisture and starts to dehydrate, so it is important to replenish the moisture as soon as possible. Slather on Lyonsleaf Body Butter (£19.99, Lovelula.com) to lock in moisture and keep your skin protected against the elements.

Self- Care

Stretch, meditate or indulge in a sheet mask. The holidays can be extremely stressful, so make sure to take time to practice self-care and check in with your mental health.

Make your holiday traditions active

Physical activity is good for everyone in the family, burns off some calories and makes for some really fun holiday memories. Get everyone together for a wintry game of rounders in the park!

Smell the Seasons

Light candles with holiday scents and enjoy the peaceful power of aromatherapy.

Mix in your vitamins with your festivities

Vitamins and minerals are powerhouses for long-lasting energy. Try Natures Plus Source Of Life Gold Liquid (£44.95, www.revital.co.uk)— it tastes great mixed in with your favourite holiday drinks and provides a complete daily vitamin profile of 13 vitamins and 8 minerals.

Bust a move to holiday tunes

Festive music can be a great way to boost your mood and put everyone in the spirit of the holidays. It is also good for getting on your feet and keeping your body active.

Stop and smell the cookies

Enjoy this time with your family and friends and be present for it all!

Business November 4, 2019

Stop worrying about failure and start living your life

Let’s talk about the F word, failure. However you square it off in your head failure is painful and can knock your confidence. The more skilled you get at dealing with it, the less you’ll worry about failure and start living your life because the more we worry about failing the less risks we take and nothing ever changes if you always do the same thing. Avoiding failure is the biggest failure of all because its worse to have never tried at all. Here’s how to stop worrying about failure and start living your life.

Get present

Worrying comes from living in the future and second guessing what is going to happen. The more you live in the moment and focus on the present the less likely you’ll spend time worrying about failing. Practicing meditation or being mindful is a great way of being present, try and build daily habits that help you be more present.

Reframe failure

Changing the way you view failure can make it easier to deal with. Failure brings us closer to success so reframe failure as a steppingstone to success and achieving your goal.

Get comfortable with being uncomfortable

Fear of failure can cause paralysis and stop you from doing anything. Nothing good comes out of comfort zones so allow yourself to feel a state of discomfort and take a chance by doing things you wouldn’t normally do. Our mind likes familiar situations and when we try new things or think differently it becomes worried but the more you expose yourself to uncomfortable situations the mind gets more familiar with it and worries less.

Start small

Start by taking small calculated risks and gradually your confidence will grow pushing you further to do new things.

Own your failures

Being accountable and honest shows you are responsible and have integrity. When you are responsible you have the power and ability to learn, grow and make changes.

Failure helps build resiliency

Failure forces you to rethink, reconsider and find new resources which helps us bounce back quicker.

Use your energy where it will make an impact

Worrying burns a lot of energy and we only have a finite amount of energy each day so channel it into the good stuff, the things that are going to make an impact on your day and life.

Dog-friendly November 1, 2019

TeamCocopup: Get your dog-friendly wellness fit with ‘doga’

Last week, TeamCocopup Charlie went on a holistic adventure at The Stratford Hotel. What ensued was a furry, messy, stretchy, and oftentimes chaotic morning of ‘doga’ which left both TeamCocopup and mum in utter OHM-azement.

‘Doga’ is a human yoga practice that helps pups and their parents bond through a dog-friendly yoga practice. Led by the UK’s only dog yoga specialist, Mahny Djahanguiri, doga is a fun way to incorporate your four-legged best friend to your yoga practice and get a little bit of a workout too.

Located in the stunning Stratford Hotel, just across the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, our doga morning was a great way for TeamCocopup Charlie to make new friends and for mums to get their zen on.

Weather permitting, the Stratford Hotel’s doga classes are usually held in the Sky terrace, which offers panoramic views of the city. The Stratford is a dazzling example of timeless glamour and contemporary style and takes design cues from New York’s long-stay hotels.

Our doga class was made up of about 10-15 playful dogs, and TeamCocopup Charlie was immediately making new friends. You don’t have to be an expert yogi for the class, as it only incorporated the most basic yoga moves (yes – downward facing dog included). Don’t worry if your dog-yogi companion is a little bit overexcited too. Because according to our doga instructor Mahny – dogs are allowed to ‘misbehave’ and interact with the other dogs as much as they want, and the doga would work its magic.

The classes can last anything from one hour to two – depending on how boisterous the dogs are. Barring a few ‘accidents’ here and there, our doga class was a truly fantastic way to work out and socialise your dogs. After the class, doga participants are invited to a delicious brunch at The Brasserie. Here, you can re-energise with a healthy selection of brunch favourites, while your dogs play with their fellow dog-yogis. We highly recommend it.

www.thestratford.com

Greece October 14, 2019

5 Best Spas in London

Finding the five best spas in London seems like an arduous task, I know. But to be honest with you, it’s a necessary one and I’ll tell you why.

I know what you’re thinking; a spa? Necessary? I can hear you snorting at me now. But here’s the truth. I love London but I don’t know about you – this city of ours does tire me out. When I was younger, the spa seemed to be just an element of luxury to me – and it still is; I’m just finding more and more excuses to add some luxury care into my life.

While getting out of the city and having a relaxing weekend of treatments sounds like the obvious choice, we don’t always have time to leave London for a couple of days. Enter finding the best spas in London and the most indulgent methods of pampering right here in the city. Some spas I’ve included in this elite list were recommended to me by friends, others are notorious for being popular among most.

ESPA Life at The Corinthia London

This made it onto my five best spas of London list because it could not have lived up to its reputation better than it did. This is an example of a spa I’d been told about by work colleagues, read about in magazines and heard my favourite bloggers discussing. The Corinthia London is grand on is own but ESPA manages to combine grandeur with calm – and it works. I went for a 60-minute hot stone massage and my therapist, Matt, was incredible. Those hot stones were an absolute DREAM on my skin, relieving tension and aches. Not only did he transport me to heaven, relieving me of my stress and knots, but he also practises reflexology. At the end of my hour of pure bliss, he asked me about my knee and if it hurt when I bent it. I’d just rejoined the real world so this genuinely felt like a psychic reading at first but, in fact, Matt had just observed when he was giving me my massage. Mind. Blown. I’d recommend this in a heartbeat – especially as a gift. The spa facilities were gorgeous as well; saunas, steam rooms and spa pools but also the magical sleep pods – allowing you to truly dismiss London for a moment or two.

A 60-minute hot stone massage is priced at £165.

Ushvani

In the heart of London’s Cadogan Gardens lies this hidden gem. Seriously, if you’re not looking for it, you might very well miss it. Right, let’s move away from making this spa sound like the Room of Requirement in Harry Potter and discuss exactly what makes it such a perfectly hidden oasis and one of the best spas in London. It’s a lot more intimate and boutique than your average hotel spa; pool and steam room ready to transport you to relaxation. I was unsure which type of massage to go for. The spa mainly specialises in two different styles; Balinese and Malay (although specific ones such as for those who are pregnant are also on the menu). The Malay style is gentler and known more for its relief of stress and tiredness – while the Balinese focuses on recharging the body and getting rid of tension. I knew I needed the second one. The experience was fantastic; my therapist was excellent at kneading out all my knots and I truly felt the complete opposite to when I rushed through the door an hour earlier. She also kindly gave me tips to avoid building tension in my problem areas (neck and shoulders) – thank you freelance, alwayscarrying-a-tote-bag life.

A 90-minute massage is priced at £180.

Four Seasons at Ten Trinity Square

I’m a huge fan of the Four Seasons and the elegance which all of their hotels possess. However, I’d never been lucky enough to relax in one of their spas so I leapt at my chance here. I always feel my body cries out for a massage more often but we often forget how much we use our face muscles and how they also need to relax and recharge. When booking a facial, I tend to go for one with exciting ingredients such as grapefruit or green tea. I was recommended the Swiss Age Perfecting Jewel facial – well, I suppose I am 25 now – to rejuvenate my skin. The facial began by deeply cleansing and exfoliating my skin with a bamboo and shea butter scrub. You never realise how much tension accumulates in your face until it is massaged. Using an anti-ageing serum, my face felt revitalised as it was kneaded and pressed to boost circulation and de-stress my skin. What I love about facials is that they (the good ones, anyways) finish with a mask, to fully complete the treatment. This one was a hydrating and nourishing Royal Jelly cream for extra nutrients. The spa facilities at Ten Trinity Square are particularly impressive and I could have easily stated there all day.

A 60-minute facial is priced between £160-180.

Ella di Rocco

Slightly different from the others included here – Ella di Rocco is a medispa in London. About halfway down Fulham Road, this Italian spa combines relaxing experiences with non-invasive medical treatments and leaves you visibly calmer and more rejuvenated upon leaving. I had to include this on my best spas in London list as I had heard of the facility’s Queen of Rose package. I’ve long been a fan of the spa/beauty brand Lola’s Apothecary but had never tried the Cleopatra-inspired bath milk. Beginning my treatment with a foot bath in rose petals and Lola’s Apothecary’s essential oils (the Delicate Romance range, to be specific), I then had a body scrub using a Himalayan salt and raw sugar relaxing body polish mixed with the brand’s beautiful body soufflé. This was followed by a 15-minute bath in the iconic bath milk, essential oils and rose petals as I indulged in a glass of Prosecco. After my long and peaceful soak, my massage began. It was deep and thorough; starting on my back and including a long session on my feet (which I always feel full body massages don’t leave enough time for). I think my therapist, Angelica, laughed while she was kneading out my knots (they were pretty stiff) but it worked in the end as I left full relaxed and as tension-free as I could be. I’d be intrigued to try the wine spa treatment package.

The Queen of Roses treatment package (90 minutes) is priced at £140.

Bulgari Hotel Spa

This spa is not only gorgeous in its design but it is also versatile for all customers, offering a range of treatments. Perhaps you’re looking for a one-off massage session, to momentarily relieve stress and tension. From classic aromatherapy massages, to deep tissue treatments, you can get whatever you’re looking for at this wellness centre within the hotel in Knightsbridge. Specialised treatments such as shiatsu and deep muscle massages are also on the menu, among a myriad of exotic and advanced facial treatments. Long-term programmes are also on offer for those wanting to make change via lympathic drainage treatments etc. The spa is award-winning and one of the most exclusive in London. Beautifully designed, across two levels, from onyx, oak and Vicenza stone, with gold mosaic and gold leaf tiles, this truly is how to walk off the streets and into immediate luxury.

60 minute massages start from £140.