5 lunch break stress busters

Having battled the morning commute, faced an overnight avalanche of e-mails and in some cases fought for a desk, mornings can feel a bit like climbing Everest. With no reprieve in sight for the next eight hours, the day’s onslaught can seem overwhelming. Booking in a relaxing lunchtime break can provide an oasis of calm to help you cut through the chaos, banish stress and increase your productivity.  Explore my top five lunch break stress busters guaranteed to leave you refreshed, re-charged and ready to take on the world.

close up of grass in a meadow

Adam Meek On the Green

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An afternoon of adventure in London’s parks

With no end in sight to the hot and sticky afternoons, your inner child may yearn to break free from the classroom and race around the playground. Re-discovering the things that delighted you as a child can help you to relieve stress, manage negative emotions and also improve your productivity. If the sales figures are driving you stir-crazy, shake off the shackles of responsibility for an afternoon of adventure in London’s parks, where you’ll find a whole lot more than rounders and frisbee on offer. Why should the kids have all the fun?

Swing from the trapeze: if you ever dreamed of running off to the circus as a child, it’s not too late to change career now. Offering the ultimate in high-top high-jinks, the Gorilla Flying Trapeze School will have you flying through the air with the greatest of ease. Two hour classes available in Regent’s Park all day from May to September.  Visit: www.gorillacircus.com for how to book.

woman on trapeze

marabuchi Trapeze flying

Push the boat out: Yearning for the freedom of the open seas? Why not set sail on the Serpentine for a turbo-charged afternoon of pedalo action. Requiring all your powers of ingenuity, this aquatic slalom will propel your agile working abilities to a whole new level. Just watch out for Mr D’Arcy. Boating lake open from 10.00 – 6.00pm, April-September.

boats on the Serpentine

Gary Knight boats on the Serpentine

Return to Neverland: If real life’s become all too much, seek sanctuary back in Neverland as you re-live Peter’s journey from the Serpentine to Kensington Gardens on an interactive walk. Dress up like Captain Hook and join other ever-green Peters as you discover how the park inspired the plays and stories.  Next walk, Friday 9th August, 11.00-12.30pm, pre-booking recommended.

Go fly your kite: Kites have come a long way since the humble days of string, wood ad plastic and nowhere is that more apparent than in Richmond Park where power kites rule the skies. Propelled by the elements and sleek aerodynamics, you can opt to glide along in a kite buggy, stand on a land board, ride a surf board or even whizz along in a pair of inline skates. Classes available in Richmond Park from March to August.  To book visit: http://www.kitevibe.com

Power Kite

Mike Baird Power Kite

How to reduce stress the week before your holiday

As Wimbledon fever grips the capital once again, the office summer exodus is close at hand.  If you’re jetting off in the coming weeks, you may soon find that your final working week turns out to be the most stressful of the year. Project glitches, last-minute requests and long-suffering looks from colleagues left in the lurch, are just a few of the challenges to overcome. To ensure a stress and guilt-free start to the holiday season, read on for my top five tips. Happy holidays everyone!

stress balls littered around the office

Robert Banh Stress Ball attack

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