10 wonderful things to try in February to benefit your wellbeing

From a hobby-sharing app to a luxurious wellness accessory, try something new with our top ten wellbeing recommendations

1. Page-turners

A Doodle A Day Keeps The Stress Away by Tamara Michael

Helping us keep stress at bay is Tamara Michael – a fantastic author and content creator who has a unique way of helping us alleviate stress. Her secret? The unwinding power of doodling! Step into her creative world and put pen to paper with her everyday drawing prompts.

(Out now, Pop Press)

2. Out and about

Explore a National Trust garden

Secret gardens, ancient trails, and beautiful landscapes – the National Trust has it all. With hundreds of parks and gardens to explore, each has its own unique history and hidden wonders waiting to be uncovered. Set aside a weekend of outdoor exploration and create memories that will last a lifetime at a National Trust garden local to you.

(Visit nationaltrust.org.uk to find out more)

3. Act of kindness

Share your story with Marie Curie

Whether you’re living with a terminal illness, caring for someone else, or you’re grieving the loss of a loved one, charity Marie Curie always offer a space for people to share their stories. Telling your story helps to shed light on this important topic, making sure that nobody feels alone.

(Find out more at mariecurie.org.uk)

4. Lend us your ears

‘Sliced Bread’

There are lots of products out there that promise to make our lives better, but do they really do what they say on the tin or is it all in the marketing? Host Greg Foot speaks to the experts to debunk myths, and find out the pros and cons of a variety of products and fads, so that we can make an informed decision for ourselves.

(Available on all podcast platforms)

5. Plugged-In

Cold Plunge Cam

For content creator Cam, cold-water dipping is a powerful tool to improve his mental health, and he’s showing us how to transform our lives with this practice as well. On his account, you’ll find wholesome videos of his ice-bathing journey, beginner tips, breathing strategies, and more. Will you follow suit?

@coldplungecam Below are the connections I’m making between cold plunging and my personal mental health journey. “Allowing myself to feel again” - very resemblant of the depressi*n, and the many times I decided to take a stand against the struggle by getting in the water. “Being brave enough to be vulnerable” - therapy every week has required more and more hard conversations, every single time. It’s relentless, but so necessary. “Peeling back the layers (clothing) and feeling exposed” - I can’t help but compare this to tapering off of my SSRI and the new waves of anxiety I experience with each dose reduction. Learning to be okay with that initial stress and discomfort has been crucial. The breathwork and mindset techniques have been transferable skills to the rest of the day. Unexpected stimuli, confrontation, uncontrollable events, . . . . . . . . #motivation #coldplunge #mindfulness #coldexposure #holistichealth #therapy #therapythoughts #breathwork #mentalhealth #anxiety #mentalhealthawareness #stressrelief #icebath #fyp #fypシ #anxietyrelief #neurodivergent #mindset #vulnerability #bekind #moodygrams #morningmotivation ♬ Your Eyes - Antent

(Check out @coldplungecam on TikTok)

6. Lesson Learned

Learn how to support a person with sight loss

Guide Dogs is a charity that offers support to those who are blind or partially sighted. It believes in the importance of inclusivity, creating a ripple effect of support by offering free online training for those who want to know how to act when someone with sight loss is in need of assistance.

(Visit guidedogs.org.uk to sign up)

7. Tech tip-offs

Buddee

Having a hobby that we truly love is great, but it’s even better when we have someone to share it with – and thanks to Buddee, we can! This social app allows you to connect with like-minded individuals who are just as enthusiastic about your hobbies as you are, and forge new, long-lasting friendships.

(Available on all platforms)

8. Get going

Late-night workout

Research suggests that working out late at night can provide a whole host of benefits, but why is this the case? Well, studies show that your endurance is greater in the evening, and exercise can help you sleep better, as well as help you to release tension gained throughout the day. Of course, everyone’s body clock is different, but it could be worth putting evening workouts to the test.

9. Square eyes

Gordon, Gino and Fred’s Road Trip

If you’re seeking out something light-hearted to watch on your Saturday night, join best friends Gordon Ramsay, Gino D’Acampo, and Fred Sirieix as they travel around Europe on a culinary adventure of a lifetime, seeking out the tastiest local cuisine. What could go wrong? Along the way, expect lots of laughter and fun-filled adventure.

(Available to watch on Netflix)

10. Treat yourself

Lavender Relaxation Eye Pillow

Calm and Collective’s Lavender Relaxation Eye Pillow is more than just a luxurious wellness accessory; it’s a gateway to relaxation. Nurture your eyes, relieve facial tension, and embrace a moment for self-care with these beautifully designed eye pillows packed with nature’s best kept secret, dried lavender.

(£14, calm-and-collective.co.uk)