By Anya Cooklin-Lofting
Do you ever find yourself longing, not for absolute silence, but for quietude punctuated only by the churn of sand under yawning wavelets, the fissle of leaves touseled by a warm breeze? And what about solitude? Not the reluctant entrapment of a metropolitan flat under lockdown, but the liberating aloneness that fills your lungs and deposits time and energy at your feet in an unexpected oblation? Thought I wasn’t the only one.
For some, a second home in a sleepy seaside village or atop a remote, rocky outcrop in a Bond-villain-style compound doesn’t provide the necessary distance from the ‘real world’ to induce complete and undisturbed restfulness. Luckily, there exists a plethora of paradisiacal options for these peace-pursuers, solitude-seekers and horizon-hunters. The private island is a marker of luxury living, and it’s easy to see why. From X to Z, there are islands, archipelagos and atolls to suit all sensibilities. Here are a few stand-out options on the market today.
Little Whale Cay
What and where?
Set in The Berry Islands in the heart of the Bahamas, Little Whale Cay is a 40-acre, self-sustained private island flanked by the deepest blue lagoons, sprawling coral reefs and unending seascapes. The island is accessible by plane from Florida or Nassau and features a 2,000 ft landing strip.
The hook…
The island is a wonder of surprises which include a church built from native coral stone, a private lake with flamingos, a sea-view infinity pool, a yoga deck and tennis courts. Its waters are also perfect for snorkelling and sailing.
Who?
Sotheby’s International Realty, $35,000,000.
Crown Pigeon Island
What and where?
Crown Pigeon Island lies just off the shore of the North Eleuthera, the Bahamas, and is set between idyllic white sand flats to the west and the crystal-clear waters of Harbour Island harbour to the east. Its 11 acres offers wildlife-friendly, lush flora including native hardwoods and coastal vegetation, as well as three natural beaches.
The hook…
The island’s four-acre harbour is a sea turtle sanctuary, so lucky visitors have the opportunity to observe some of the most exquisite, exotic wildlife from the privacy of their own gardens.
Who?
Sotheby’s International, $44,495,000.
Hoffman’s Cay
What and where?
Pristine in its natural, untouched glory, Hoffman’s Cay is a 350-acre island set in The Berry Islands, 50 miles northeast of Nassau. Accessed via deep water channels, the island is a short distance from Great Harbour Cay and New Providence.
The hook…
Hoffman’s Cay has its very own blue hole, a mesmerising depth of deep, royal blue water to explore.
Who?
Christie’s International Real Estate, $18,000,000.
Viscontea Island
What and where?
Steeped in history and laden with interesting architectural details, this island is around half an acre of Italian land, afloat in the waters of the River Adda. Viscontea Island is located in Lecco where a branch of Lake Como flows into the river and comprises part of the ancient structure of the Azzone Visconti bridge when the materials were deposited into the water, forming the landmass itself. The island is a mere 50-minute drive from Milan Malpensa and Milan Linate, and just 30 minutes from Bergamo airport.
The hook…
Some researchers have suggested that Leonardo Da Vinci may have been involved in the construction of the bridge and thus the island as early as 1500.
Who?
Sweet Dreams: The Power of a Good Night’s Sleep
By Amira Hashish
As we kick off the year our minds are abuzz with what lies ahead and the goals we hope to achieve. Coupled with the cold days and dark nights of winter and the tyranny of getting back on that treadmill, it’s little wonder that insomnia has a tendency to rear its ugly head during these months. The weight of the pandemic adds an extra layer of discomfort.
The power of sleep is not to be underestimated. It is a vital ingredient of our physical and mental health. Leading medical spa Lanserhof, which has retreats in Austria and Germany, takes sleep very seriously, explaining it is essential for tissue repair, cell regeneration, the immune system and memory functioning. “When people are sleep deprived or develop a persistent sleep disorder, the consequences include loss of energy, drowsiness, impaired concentration or memory and disturbed mood. Inadequate sleep has been associated with increased risk of hypertension, type 2 diabetes and the risk of developing anxiety or depression,” say the experts.
Getting a good night’s rest is easier said than done but there are ways you can improve your cycle. Here are some essential steps.
Let There Be Light
The more sunlight the merrier. When our bodies release the happiness hormone serotonin there is a direct correlation with the elimination of stress. Several studies associate low levels of vitamin D in your blood leading to a higher risk of sleep disturbances and reduced sleep duration.
Natural and artificial light absorption helps your body to stay more alert during the day whilst increasing the quality of your sleep in the evenings. Small changes can help; try to go for a walk outside during your lunch break or use a lamp with a daylight bulb at your desk. Use natural sunlight to wake up where possible or a device that simulates this.
Dr Victoria Revell, a senior lecturer in translational sleep and circadian physiology, outlines the significance of our circadian rhythms: “The duration, timing and quality of our sleep are determined by two different processes – our sleep homeostat and our circadian clock. The sleep homeostat acts like a timer with sleepiness accumulating during the day the longer we are awake. The circadian clock drives 24-hour rhythms in nearly all aspects of our physiology and behaviour, including our sleep-wake patterns, and determines the timing of our sleep. Light is the most powerful stimulus for synchronising our circadian clock to the 24-hour day.”
Adapt Your Diet
A varied diet that is rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins and dairy is ideal. Avoid caffeine, fizzy drinks and alcohol from late afternoon. You may also consider introducing a supplement which includes melatonin (a man-made version of the hormone that controls your sleep patterns) such as Lanserhof’s Beauty Sleep.
Consider CBD
Wellness brand RAIN harnesses the power of the botanical world to help people find calm and balance. CBD is a key ingredient. According to RAIN: “The boom in popularity for CBD stems from both scientific research and substantial anecdotal and experiential reporting to suggest that it has beneficial effects in helping to alleviate anxiety and stress, reducing inflammation, as well as improving mood and sleep.”
Establish a Routine
Eye health specialist and ophthalmologist Alastair Lockwood at Feel Good Contacts encourages consistency with your patterns: “No matter what time you go to bed, wake up at the same time every day as much as possible. Having a consistent bedtime will help you to sleep better because your body will start to get tired on cue. After a while of doing this you might find that you naturally wake up just before your alarm. Even if you don’t always manage to stick to your routine, the more you can do it, the better.”
Get Moving
As well as helping to reduce anxiety, which can impact the ability to nod off, exercise can cause changes in your core body temperature. According to the Sleep Foundation: “During exercise your body increases its temperature, and afterwards your body’s temperature drops. That drop in temperature mimics a similar temperature change that happens before you fall asleep, when your body cools down in the evening in preparation for rest. The similarity between these changes may signal to your brain that it’s time to sleep.”
Stop Scrolling
It is all too tempting to check those emails or see who’s doing what on Instagram just as we should be winding down but the issue isn’t just that you are keeping your mind active. Our screens emit a type of blue light which keeps us awake and boosts reaction times by suppressing the release of melatonin. Your body’s natural circadian rhythm is disrupted and you are tricked into thinking it is still daytime. So it’s a big no go for electronic devices, including the television, at least half an hour before bedtime.
Set the Bedroom Tone
A clutter-free space with a soothing smell and cool temperature (apparently 18C is spot on) can work wonders. Add an excellent mattress and pillow to the mix. Bed manufacturer Hypnos emphasises that choosing the right fillings in your bed and bedding can help regulate your body’s temperature to keep your cooler at night. Natural, sustainable fibres promote healthy air flow and wick away moisture, helping achieve that good night’s rest.
HOME ACCESSORIES & APPS FOR A DREAMY NIGHT’S SLEEP
Lumie Bodyclock Luxe: £199, lumie.com
Bramley Sleep Spray: £16, bramleyproducts.co.uk (Become a member of BBB to receive 20% off)
The Morphée sleep aid: £79, evesleep.co.uk
RAIN CLOUD CBD pen: £40, raincbd.co.uk
1001 Remedies Sleep Balm: £29, 1001remedies.com (20% off for BBB Members)
The Dual Pillow: £52, melacomfort.co.uk
BetterYou Sleep Bundle: £24.95, betteryou.com (15% off for BBB Members)
Headspace sleepcast: start with a free trial, headspace.com
Calm Sleep Stories: download the app with a 30 day free trial from the BBB Boutique, calm.com/sleep
*Click here to become a BBB Member and take advantage of these amazing discounts!
How to Achieve a Healthy WFH Lifestyle
By Anya Cooklin-Lofting
Falling into a less-than-ideal routine while working from home is unsurprisingly easy, especially over the winter. Long, dark mornings do very little to inspire early rising, pre-work jogging or green smoothie breakfasts while cool afternoons call for pantry raids and frothy coffees. The eradication of our commutes keeps us at our desks longer, eroding quality family time and racking up our Zoom time.
Cultivating a healthy lifestyle when you work from home is incredibly rewarding and by setting achievable goals, you can bring more fulfilment and productivity to each day. The key is to make and keep promises to yourself that helps to build self-trust, thus self-respect and a sense of pride in your day.
Here are a few tips for elevating your WFH schedule, prioritising a holistic attitude to your health and your productivity.
Keep Tabs on Your Overtime
It’s easy to work longer hours when there’s no rush to get home. Before the pandemic, leaving the office in the evening signalled the beginning of the race to hit that gym class, get back home, prepare dinner, squeeze in some wind-down time and get a full 8 hours of sleep. These days, we’re working smarter and using the time we save from our sofa-to-desk commute to tackle some life admin, get our endorphin fixes and pre-heat the oven. However, try not to fall into the trap of working overtime just because you can. If, like me, your dining table doubles as your desk, it’s important to keep tabs on the hours you spend there. If your choice of evening activities is a toss-up between binging a new series on Netflix or clearing your work inbox, why not try something new? Removing yourself from these patterns can help to curb the urge to burn the midnight oil.
Commit to Your Commute Time
Once you’ve put healthy boundaries in place around the time you spend at your desk, it’s time to look at how to enrich your spare time. Using your usual morning commute time to read, learn a new skill or language or get in a yoga session will set you up for a productive and happy day. Knowing that you’ve accomplished something before work, even if it’s just some time taken for yourself to think, provides a sense of ownership of your day. It’s easy to let work take over, so reclaiming some time before the workday starts is crucial.
Keep Moving
Moving your body throughout the day will improve your concentration, keep you physically healthy and will contribute to a more positive mindset. You don’t have to join a running club or go to a spin class to feel the benefits. A lunchtime walk or a mid-morning stroll to the local cafe for a coffee will blow away the cobwebs. If your work diary is fit to burst with unending calls and Zoom meetings, why not take one or two of those calls outside in the garden or while you walk in the local park?
Stay Hydrated
Coffee doesn’t count here! Make sure you have a glass of water on your desk at all times while you work from home. Not only does keeping hydrated help to keep organs functioning properly, but it also improves our cognition, our sleep quality and our moods. If you feel you need a reminder to drink more water throughout the day, why not invest in a beautiful glass carafe for a deskside visual cue?
Create an Inspiring Home Office Space
Finding inspiration and motivation in a plain, under-loved home office is next to impossible. Make sure your workspace, be it an entire study or a corner of the dining room table, makes you feel creative and confident. Houseplants make great deskfellows, as do framed family photographs, special stationery and a really lovely paperweight. Bring art, soft furnishings and good lighting into the mix and you have yourself a haven for the working hours that will keep stress levels low and cheerful industriousness at an all-time high.
Give Yourself Some Closure
At the end of the working day, it’s important to create physical distance between yourself and your laptop and other accoutrements of your employment. If your living room has taken on more of a multifunctional role since the beginning of the pandemic, ensure all signs of work are packed away neatly, ready for the morning. Dedicate a drawer to store your laptop, pens and notebooks to keep work out of sight and out of mind, allowing you to truly switch off in the evening. If you work from a dedicated study or office space, clear the space of clutter and close the door. You’ll thank yourself come the morning when you have fully decompressed and feel refreshed and ready to take on the next challenge…