brought to you by
When you're already juggling day-to-day life, maintaining a healthy lifestyle can be hard. It's the small, consistent changes that make the biggest difference when it comes to health and wellness. Here's nine wellness tips that you can find right here in Nottingham City Centre...
Your mental wellbeing can be enhanced just by learning to do something new and there’s plenty of options to do that in Nottingham City centre, whether you have half an hour or all day to spare.
Lush Nottingham run regular events and collaborations teaching you to make things like bath-bombs, indoor terrariums and face masks. Deli-cious can teach you how to make amazing high-quality chocolate treats and Nottingham Trent University offers a wide range of Creative Short Courses from their city campus.
If you love film Broadway Cinema offers a range of courses and ways to learn more about it other than just watching a movie. If you like art then check out the free 20-minute 12.30 art talks every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday lunchtime at Nottingham Contemporary.
One of the biggest benefits of swimming is that it truly works your entire body, head to toe. Swimming increases your heart rate without stressing your body, tones muscles and builds both strength and endurance. Or if you’re not quite up to that you might want to try a relaxing spa visit to de-stress and calm your mind.
Did you know there’s a swimming pool right next door to Victoria Centre? It’s located in the LivingWell Health Club at Nottingham’s Hilton Hotel, alongside a fully stocked gym and spa. Also over on Wollaton Street is The Urban Rooms spa, located inside the Crowne Plaza Hotel. Both of these facilities are open to the public, not just to guests of the hotels, and may provide a bit of bliss on a long lunch break.
Think you need some exercise, but not sure you want to commit to a full gym package just yet? Would you benefit from a free fitness class at a city centre venue, working directly with some of the city’s best local fitness professionals and studios?
Sweaty Betty is a shop selling fashionable women's sport and exercise clothing, based on Pelham Street. However, they also offer free in-store classes for up to 11 attendees, working directly with local fitness professionals and studios. To find out more about their classes and wellness events follow Sweaty Betty on Facebook or pop into the store to speak to a member of the team.
Holland & Barrett are not only passionate about helping people access health and wellness products but have qualified experts on hand to offer advice on a matter of subjects, including Menopause. Your local branch of Holland and Barrett on Clumber Street offers a huge range of free support for mental health and menopause support. They work in partnership with leading menopause campaigners, Menopause Mandate to pilot a free menopause advice line, where you can speak to a qualified menopause nurse. They also have menopause trained experts available in store, offering you support, advice and guidance on your menopause.
According to recent stats over 90% of UK households have a TV and over 95% have mobile devices. However, only about 40% of people read books regularly for pleasure. Too much screen time can lead to eyesight problems, obesity, sleep problems, chronic neck and back problems, depression, anxiety and more. However, not only does reading provide you with enjoyment, it can also reduce stress, improve your cognitive processes and increase empathy and social skills.
If you want to browse a selection of books in the city centre then Waterstones on Bridlesmith Gate is probably the best place to start. They also have a café on the top floor - perfect for when you have half an hour to spare and want to get lost in a book.
Other options in town where you can browse through a good bookshelf include Bromley House Library, Five Leaves, Forbidden Planet, HMV, Page 45, Rough Trade, The Works and WH Smith. We also have the re-opening of Nottingham Central Library to look forward to later in 2023.
According to the NHS more than one in four adults have high blood pressure, yet most people with high blood pressure experience no symptoms? This means many people are unaware they have it, which, over time, can damage their blood vessels. This is why it’s really important to have your blood pressure regularly checked; ideally at least every five years, or more often if your doctor advises.
Holland and Barrett offer free blood pressure checks on their in-store biometric scanner which can also measure your BMI, cholesterol levels, and blood sugar.
You might not think there’s a lot of green space near Nottingham city centre, but it’s possible you’ve just not been looking in the right places. For starters there’s a lovely 5 mile walk you can do along the canal from Nottingham city centre to Beeston, which has been mapped out by The Canal and River Trust. Or there’s a range of trail walks at Nottingham’s Arboretum, which is a quick stroll from the city centre and is home to an important collection of over 800 trees.
Less than a mile away from the Market Square is Stonebridge City Farm, a charity site which has a range of animals you can feed and some tranquil gardens. Or if you don’t mind dark enclosed spaces then Nottingham City of Caves tours happen twenty-odd times a day every day between 10am – 4pm taking you on a journey underneath the streets you usually walk upon.
There’s nothing quite like going for a run to help you clear the mind, get the endorphins flowing and get a bit of cardiovascular exercise. However, if you’ve not been running for a while – or indeed ever – then it’s really important to consider your footwear before you start.
Up and Running Nottingham are based in Exchange Arcade and can help you work out what trainers would be right for you. This service is called a gait analysis and it’s completely free, with no appointment necessary and obligation to buy. It’s done with a range of sample shoes, high-tech machines, the latest software and a really friendly experienced team of staff. The store also operates a great weekly running group that meets every Monday at 6.30pm for a free, fun and friendly 5K.
There’s a whole world to tea, outside of buying bags from the supermarket, that you might not realise. People all over the world have been drinking tea for thousands of centuries, and for good reason. Different teas can help you to relax, improve your sleep, boost your immune system, fight off inflammation, lower your cholesterol, improve your heart, liver, joints and teeth.
If you want to know more then pop into your local branch of either Whittards (Bridlesmith Gate) or Bird and Blend (Victoria Street) and have a chat with a member of their team about what tea could do for you. They often offer free samples to try before you buy too.
Is your venue a Nottingham BID Member? Would you like to be included in this article? If so please contact us with your venue details and some details of your wellness offering.
This weekend we’ve got an international market, a spring concert, and backstage tour; here’s your handy guide of what to do in Nottingham.
Not sure what’s happening in Nottingham this weekend? Whatever the weather decides to do, we’ve got you covered.
23-30 April is Great British Beef Week. To celebrate we’ve decided to highlight some of the best places you can get a beef steak in Nottingham city centre...
Nottingham will be turning to the Guinness and green to celebrate St Patrick’s day on Friday 17 March. Here’s a line-up of things happening in and around the city centre on the day of celebrating...