Tori Attwood finds alternative routes to happiness
'THIS IS THE MOST DEPRESSING TIME OF THE YEAR' my news app reads. I have just spilt coffee on myself before marching into a puddle by the bus stop, so it’s safe to say that I am far from chirpy this morning.
In the week spear-headed by the infamous Blue Monday - the most depressing day of the year – the blues appear to have hit hard and heavy. We’re all broke, deflated post-Christmas and clinging on for our dear lives until magical payday arrives.
Well, no more. It’s time to shake off that gloomy fog that is clouding your January and beat off those winter blues.
From releasing your inner child to meditation classes, here’s how to bolster your mental health in Manchester this winter.
Meditation and Mindfulness
Think meditation and you probably think orange robed monks, spiritual chants and incense. But modern meditation is a whole lot more accessible than a pilgrimage to the outer corners of the globe. For as little as £3 and taking just 10 – 25 minutes of your time, both The Kadampa Meditation Centre (Portland Street) and Inner Space (Spinningfields) will help you meditate on your lunchbreak with short meditation sessions designed to recharge you at lunchtime. Those looking to fully embrace a meditative state will enjoy the free weekly meditation workshop hosted by Sahaja Yoga. The charity runs free meditation workshops across the North, with the Manchester branch taking place every Tuesday evening (Friends Meeting House, 7.15pm to 8.45pm – register here). Or for a full immersion into the world of meditation, the Life Centre is offering a four-week course on how to integrate meditation into the modern lifestyle.
Gongs baths and float pods
Sometimes all you need to wash away the toils of the day is to soak in a bath. But if the world of wellness is anything to go by, there’s far more to baths than bubbles.
Try swapping your go-to lush bath bomb for something a little more radical; the soothing notes of a brain-rattling banging gong, perhaps? Whilst listening to a repeatedly pounded drum doesn’t quite scream relaxation, by immersing yourself in the waves of sound, participants can ‘bathe’ in the music of the gong in pursuit of a cleansed mind. Find your nearest gong bath event here.
For those times when your average soap and suds don’t quite cut it, there’s floatation baths. For £35, participants are invited to lie in a futuristic container filled with salty water that buoys your body, whilst music and flashing lights lull you into a serene sleep. Call it the bathing ritual of the future or just a cool gimmick, a 1-hour session is sure to help you chill out.
Adult 'bouncy castles'
Have you ever seen a sad child on a bouncy castle? (Aside from when they go head-crashing into one another). No – that’s because bouncing around like a maniac is conducive to happiness. We all know that exercise releases endorphins, but sometimes getting yourself in gear to hit the gym can be harder than the workout that awaits. Cue inflata nation, the adult’s alternative to the bouncy castle. The activity park is bursting with inflatabale activities designed to release your inner kid – from bouncy pillows to Gladiator-style duels (complete with pugil sticks). If you’re younger self was a bouncing purist, then head to Oxygen Freejumping’s Trampoline Park – 150 interconnected trampolines line the floor and walls to guarantee you some serious airtime.
And for those of us who spent much of our childhood clambering around the padded walls of Wacky Warehouse, there’s finally an adult alternative; KICKair, the North West’s largest adult indoor play area. The neon-charged assault course features all your nostalgic playpark favourites, including trampolines, climbing walls and inflatable cushions.
Cuddle up
If you’ve ever been branded ‘needy’ for demanding a daily dose of cuddles, now you can add some ammunition to your cuddle demands; cuddling releases oxytocin, which is also known as the feel-good hormone. Psychologists claim cuddles increase overall happiness, so if you’re feeling a bit blue this grim January then there’s no better time to pester your snuggle buddy. And if your family/friends/significant other/neighbour is refusing to put out, then its time to find your cuddles elsewhere. Which is where the Cuddle Network comes in – the platonic group invites participants to snuggle, spoon and cosy up together in the pursuit of oxytocin (sessions £20).
Make some furry friends
If you tend to prefer animals to humans, then this ones for you. Scientists claim that being around animals is proven to uplift your mental health – as if you even needed an excuse to hang out with pups more often. Fortunately, there’s still hope for those who don’t have a furry friend of their own. For cat lovers, Manchester’s famed cat café offers the chance to cuddle with kittens as you sip your coffee (103 High Street), or for those more loyal to canines there’s the Beach Dog Café at Central Bark doggy day care (Wythenshawe). If you’re ready to take your animal relationship to the next level, then check out borrowmydoggy.com. The website lets you find local dog owners in your area and borrow dogs for walks – meaning all the perks of a pup without the long-term commitment.
Get your giggle on
As the mantra goes, laughter is the best medicine. Whoever said the estranged slogan, they were right; life can seem a whole less rubbish when you try to see the funny side. And what better way to relieve your 9-5 stress than to enjoy gut-busting wit at one of Manchester’s comedy outlets. For inner city jaunts, the Comedy Store runs regular stand-up nights Thursday-Saturday (tickets £18), whilst Frog and Bucket’s flagship show Barrel of Laughs promises to provide oodles of funny business every Friday and Saturday night (£19/£16 on the door). For up-and-coming acts, Comedy Balloon at the Ape and Apple, XS Malarkey at the Bread Shed, and the Didsbury Comedy Club all offer popular nights showcasing new talent at a fraction of the mainstream comedy prices.
Indulge in art
Sick of swiping through your phone? Then soak up some real culture at one of Manchester’s art establishments. Manchester Art Gallery has a schedule of activities designed to merge art with mindfulness to enhance your well-being this winter. Practice mindfulness as a wellness manager guides you through a study of a single piece for 30 minutes, or de-stress as you draw to music under the watchful eye of local artist Naomi Kendrick. The Creative Life Drawing group meet every Tuesday in Ancoats for a drop-in session of life drawing, perfect for those who want to give the style a go without committing to a full course. If drawings not your thing, Fred Aldous has a host of crafty workshops on offer, from jewellery making to sewing. Or for cheap crafts, Cass Art Supplies is hosting a Pizza and Paint session for students complete with free pizza and art workshop.
Feel good about giving
Whilst many the new year mantra will encourage you to focus on yourself to create a better 2018, studies indicate that focusing on others is also important for a happier, healthier self. That warming feeling you get when you treat a friend to coffee or give to charity is down to science; studies show that giving to others stimulates the reward areas in the brain, creating positive feelings (source). For small gifts, both The ‘Happiness Café’ in Afflecks Palace and Nexus Art Cafe on Dale Street offer ‘pending coffee’ schemes allowing customers to donate a £1 to the pot – essentially buying a brew for yourself and one for a homeless person.
If a clear out is on the cards this month, then consider giving away those throwaways. The Mustard Tree homeless charity welcomes donations of good quality bedding and household items, whilst The Wood Street Mission gives donated clothes directly to people in need. Manchester’s Foodbank has a range of drop-off points to donate unopened food across the city centre and south Manchester – if you can’t make it to a drop-off point, then the OLIO app connects you with neighbours and local shops to giveaway and share unwanted food. Or for those who have more time than money, Manchester City Council has a host of volunteering opportunities that help you give back to your community, from volunteering at your local library to working with young people or supporting the upkeep of a nearby park. National volunteering website Do-It lets you find volunteering opportunities in your area, covering everything from business admin to cooking and care work
