From busy work lives to overscheduled personal commitmentsand unprecedented hyperconnectivity everywhere in betweentravelers are more harried than ever. Luckily, the new crop of wellness resorts have upped the ante on restorative vacations, pairing the best medical technology with holistic treatments to help you recharge, replenish, and find your balance.

But unlike the retreats of old, luxury is at the forefront, leaving you feeling pampered and ready to get back to the grind. Here are 10 stunningly stylish escapes to help you open up and say ommmmm.

New Yorks summer playground has become synonymous with decadence, but elemental simplicity is key at Shou Sugi Ban House. This wabi-sabiinspired wellness getaway channels the palliative effects of the natural world in healing four-, five-, and seven-day retreats and spaces that could be described as anything but rustic.

Thirteen cabins awash in soothing blonde woods and crisp white linens come with freestanding tubs, Scandi-mod furnishings and cedar slatting make you feel like youve never left the sauna; public spaces follow suit with cozy fireside sectionals and a communal table in the dining room.

Meals are the creative brainchild of Noma co-founder Mads Reflund and feature plant-heavy dishes sourced from local farms. But the real star is the spa, which features an infrared sauna, hydrotherapy plunge pools, and restorative treatments with names like Deep Within and Clear the Path.

Rates begin at $4,650 for three nights. Book Now

If youre escaping New York, a drive on rambling Berkshires country roads past red-barn farmsteads and foliage-fringed vistas is enough to make you breathe more deeply. But one step on Canyon Ranch soil will send your parasympathetic nervous system into overdrive.

The Lenox outpost of the Arizona-based brand offers the gold standard of all-inclusive wellness: a 100,000-square-foot spa with Pilates and yoga studios and indoor and outdoor pools, on-staff physicians and nutritionists to help you achieve optimum health, and targeted programs (think sleep clinics and digital detoxes) to tap into your specific needs.

The pice de rsistance? An 1897 Carrere and Hastingsdesigned mansion where health-forward ingredients sourced from local farms are served overlooking manicured gardens and the propertys great lawn.

Rates begin at $1419 per night. Book Now

In the heart of Sedonas red-rock Boynton Canyon, Mii Amo is one of the worlds most celebrated destination spas. It also resides on a vortex, a metaphysical energy center revered for its healing properties by ancient Native Americans. As the name suggests (it means ones path in the Yuman language), the resort offers three-, four-, and seven-day all-inclusive journeys to help you find your light and recharge your spirit.

Choose chanting rituals, meditative walks through an on-site labyrinth, or chakra-opening massages, and enjoy organic, locally sourced meals made with ingredients from the chefs garden. The propertys 16 adobe-style casitas provide their own therapeutic benefits thanks to beehive fireplaces, heated floors, and private patios.

Rates begin at $2027 per night. Book Now

The town of Calistoga may be nestled in the heart of wine country, but its mineral-rich watersthe result of a geothermal aquifer that sits just below ground levelare the real reason you should visit. The hot springs feed mineral baths all over town, but most luxuriously at Calistoga Ranch, a 157-acre retreat where the cedar-shingled cottages come with outdoor showers and glass wallsthe better to soothe the senses with round-the-clock forest bathing.

If the spas essential-oil massages and outdoor mudbaths arent enough to send you into a trance, perhaps private painting lessons, a perspective-building hot-air balloon ride, or a tour of the on-site vineyard will do the trick.

Rates begin at $3930 per night. Book Now

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Mountain Trek Fitness Retreat & Health Spa

If you prefer a more rigorous approach to self-improvement, the Mountain Trek Fitness Retreat is the wellness escape for you. Here, retreats include tough-love professional instruction (a clinical psychologist and lifestyle coach is available for consultations even before you arrive) and three to four hours of hiking daily through pristine British Columbia wilderness.

One- and two-week programs for just 16 guests encourage overall well-being, bringing hormones into balance, lowering stress levels, detoxifying bodily systems, and improving sleep with sunrise yoga, mindfulness lectures, and a healthy menu thats more gourmet than granola. But its not all work. An on-site spa offers everything from infrared saunas and hydrotherapy pools to massages and soaks in natural hot springs.

Rates begin at $5400 for a week. Book Now

In addition to their contributions in architecture, astronomy, and writing, the Maya created sophisticated systems for healing. Some of those customs form the basis of the wellness program at Chabl, a beach refuge that blends indigenous rituals with the sybaritic luxuries of a modern resort. At the 17,000-square-foot spa, guests may indulge in locally sourced herbal treatments, hydrotherapy pools, and a traditional Temazcal ceremony performed by a local shaman.

The 70 stone-and-wood casitas provide their own opportunities for relaxation with indoor-outdoor showers, private pools, and tech-forward amenities like retractable glass walls. The regional focus continues in two restaurants, where celebrity chef Jorge Vallejos Mexican delicacies (think prickly pear and watermelon salad and octopus tacos) join grilled fresh-caught fish and homemade breads.

Rates begin at $620 per night. Book Now

What better place to engage in some healthy self-reflection than along the pristine waters of Lake Wakatipu in New Zealands remote Southern Alps? The primordial backdrop is the setting for Aro Ha, a sustainable wellness resort that feels a little like boot camp for the spiritually downtrodden.

After waking to the sound of Tibetan chimes in one of the 20 minimalist cabins, guests participate in sunrise yoga sessions and rigorous nature hikes to exercise the mind and body, as well as mindfulness and meditation practices and curated activities like cooking classes and kayaking excursions. Daily massages help ease aches and pains and get blood flowing to aid in detoxifying efforts, as does the garden-grown, Paleo-friendly menu served in the main house.

Rates begin at $4832 for seven nights. Book Now

Located just outside bustling Ubud, COMO Shambala Estate is worlds away in spirit and takes a pampering approach to holistic healthwitness the suites, where canopy beds and thatched roofs meet locally made furnishings and airy open-air pavilions.

Though guests engage with Ayurvedic doctors and specialists in Chinese medicine in formal regimens, the resort also offers fitness classes, rock climbing, hiking, and white-water rafting in the nearby Ayung River for a more adrenaline-pumping approach to spiritual and physical healing. After an intense morning, kick back in the spring-fed pool, then expect to be dazzled with spicy curries and wok-fried seafood (caught earlier that day), served in a stunning 150-year-old house filled with intricate carved wood.

Rates begin at $473 per night. Book Now

The path to enlightenment runs through Vana, a 21-acre ashram nestled into a valley in the Himalayan foothills near the northern Indian city of Rishikesh, also known as the birthplace of yoga. Designed by Spanish architects, the LEED-certified resort is the picture of luxury, with organic linens, private plunge pools, and shower water heated by solar panels, plus expansive windows overlooking endless forests (and a monkey or two).

The wellness regimen is even more thoughtful. A host of Tibetan doctors, nutritionists, and yoga instructors prescribe everything from Ayurvedic remedies, breathing, and meditation classes to daily yoga sessions and soothing spa treatments to help you find balance. There are plenty of secular activities to help guide you as well, including traditional Indian weaving and landscape painting lessons. Best of all, cellphones and laptops are banned in public spaces. Disconnecting never felt so good.

Rates begin at $480 per night. Book Now

Who better to lead you on your spiritual journey than Marina Efraimoglou, a Greek bank chairwoman who traded in finance for Chinese medicine when she was diagnosed with cancer and channeled her recovery efforts into the sybaritic Euphoria Retreat? Designed to reflect the pristine natural surroundings, as well as the medieval ruins of the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Mystras, the 45-room resort feels like a series of Zen caves carved into the mountainside, with olive oil-infused mattresses, oak furnishings, steam showers, and marble and gold accents.

The holistic spa specializes in targeted programs that incorporate treatments inspired by the five elements, from detoxifying body wraps to metabolism-boosting activities like rafting, climbing, and hiking. Best of all, the premises feature a Roman-style tepidarium, a Finnish sauna, a Byzantine hammam, and a womb-like thermal pool scored by the sounds of dolphin and whale song.

Rates begin at $325 per night. Book Now

Icelands Blue Lagoon is renowned for its healing properties, so its only natural that the geothermal pools aquamarine waters have become the backdrop for one of the worlds most stylish escapes for soul-searching aesthetes. Seemingly carved into inky black lava fields, The Retreat feels at once futuristic and eternal, rising out of the rock in minimalist forms that feature wood and concrete walls, freestanding tubs, and floor-to-ceiling windows that allow the moss-covered landscape to set the tone.

While the 62-room resort offers group hiking trips and daily yoga classes, no stay would be complete without a visit to the subterranean spa, where you can steam up in a cave, indulge in an in-water massage, or simply hover above the mineral-rich waters in nest-like wrought-iron hanging chairs.

Rates begin at $1,180 per night. Book Now

Capital One does not provide, endorse or guarantee any third-party product, service, information or recommendation listed above. The third parties listed are not affiliated with Capital One and are solely responsible for their products and services. All trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

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The 10 Luxury Wellness Escapes You'll Want to Book for 2020 - TownandCountrymag.com

Despite all the good that came out of the Enlightenment including the recovery of ancient sources of all kinds, and an interest in their historical substance (see my lecture on The Bible and the Reformation in JETS), there was, as Wright notes Enlightenments radical split of cosmology and history are bound to produce false readings.if we think of a closed continuum of Epicurean world-development then anything to do with God must by definition be entirely separate.This is one reason why Bultmann turned eschatology into a metaphor for private spiritual experience. (p. 130).

Wright continues to promote the perspectives of his teacher, G.B. Caird, and his famous book The Language and Imagery of the Bible. He thinks it helps to deal with the imagery and metaphors in apocalyptic literature, and he is quite right about that. The Jewish two ages notion (this age and the age to come) takes a particular twist in the teachings of Jesus and Paul, namely that the age to come has already broken into this age, inaugurated by the death of Jesus, if not by his earlier ministry itself. Wright points to Qumran which also seems to have thought that some eschatological events had already transpired.

The burden of chapter 4 is to critique false views of eschatology and apocalyptic, having already found the imminentist view of Schweizter and others defective (i.e. the end is coming soon to a theater near you), as well as konsequent eschatology which over-emphasized the already aspect of the already-not yet schema of eschatology. His particular target is several false notions: 1) that apocalyptic means what Schweitzer said namely it refers to the near end of the world. No says Wright, apocalyptic is a literary genre (see below), not a particular point of view on the timing of the last things; but also 2) Wright wishes to critique Lou Martyn and his whole approach to apocalyptic that wants to argue for an incursion model (see pp. 133ff.), divine invasion from above. Divine disclosure or victory with no historical antecedents. And Martyn tags this to the death of Jesus, whereas his teacher E. Kasemann links it to the future end things, particularly the victory brought about by the parousia.

Wrights own view, based on Cairds, is that the apocalyptic language has to be decoded, not demythologized, and this involving seeing that apocalyptic is a socio-political critique of empire, where the cosmic battles are actually transpiring (p. 134). My problem with this is not that there is not critique of empire in Revelation, for example, because there is, but that there is also much said about what is going on in the non-material realm as well, in particular in heaven. Apocalyptic cant be reduced to political critique in theological clothing, though it certainly involves such a critique. And while we are at it Rev. 6-19 certainly suggests action in heaven that brings judgments to earth. Apocalyptic is not merely a this worldly critique of historical forces and processes. And if the book is talking about Christ returning, the proper question is where did he go in the meanwhile?? In other words, apocalyptic is also about the heavenly realm.

And then there is Wrights exegesis of Dan. 7 as about the ascension and exaltation of Christ, which simply doesnt work (nor is Mt. 28. 18-20 simply a rerun of Dan. 7.13-14 p. 148). Dan. 7 is about the coming of Gods kingdom on earth to eclipse the previous human kingdoms. In particular its about the Son of Man coming from heaven to judge the world, to fulfill the Yom Yahweh. Where Wrights exegesis of Dan. 7 completely falls apart is when we are told that the nations will worship the Son of Man and he will reign forever. This clearly has not happened yet, and is associated in Revelation 21-22 with the final stages of the new creation. In other words, while there is plenty of political critique of beastly empires in both Daniel and Revelation, in neither case is that all that the apocalyptic language refers to. It also refers to the future breaking into human history of Gods just judgments through the person of the Son of Man. On the other hand, a text like Mk. 9.1 certainly could refer to the Transfiguration being a resurrection of Christ preview if it is not a parousia preview. There are also problems with Wrights take on Rom. 9-11, because there it is made clear that by Israel Paul doesnt mean Jew and Gentile united in Christ, indeed he means Jews temporarily broken off from the people of God while Gentiles are brought into Gods people, but that at the return of Christ all Israel will be saved, by which Paul means a large number of Jews at the return of Christ. In other words, there are some issues with reducing apocalyptic to just socio-political critique in the present.

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Tom Wright's History and Eschatology Part Six - Patheos

Lets start off with some simple facts of life. Water is wet, grass is green and the Drug Abuse Resistance Education (D.A.R.E.) has been even when keeping its modest mission in mind a failure for most of the people who sat through it in their youth.

Most of us raised in the United States remember D.A.R.E., if not for the riveting curriculum, then at least for the cool shirts that are almost exclusively worn ironically.

To provide students with the knowledge and tools they need to resist drugs, alcohol and other high-risk behaviors is D.A.R.E.s mission, according to its website. Developed in the '80s with the Just Say No movement by the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD), which has a reputation regarding its community outreach, and the Los Angeles Unified School District, D.A.R.E. became nationwide and then grew to international use.

When it comes to the general inefficacy of its program, D.A.R.E. seems to understand why.

When detailing its history, D.A.R.E. is eager to explain where it went wrong. While discussion was encouraged, the prevailing approach in the original curriculum involved the D.A.R.E. Officer teaching each lesson, according to the website. Undoubtedly, thats one of the primary issues concerning a program like D.A.R.E., which relies on visiting instructors whose job is to throw some information your way.

Lectures are the name of the game in college, but when youre in a room full of 13-year-olds, its clear that that approach wont work.

Post-2007, it seems that the program got the message that walking into a room, introducing kids to a whole bunch of drugs theyd never heard of and telling them not to do them wasnt a winning strategy.

This isnt to discount all of the work it has done before 2007, but it ties into the lack of real grappling with D.A.R.E.s mission.

Since its moment of enlightenment, it has been noted that its teaching style became interactive with an emphasis on facilitation, rather than a didactic presentation model. Instead of listening to a lecture, students spend most class time working in small cooperative learning groups, guided by the D.A.R.E. officer as they apply a decision-making model to develop their own unique ways of positively addressing high-risk situations in their lives.

This was, undoubtedly, a step in the right direction, but there are aspects of the D.A.R.E. program that are far from conducive to meeting its long-term goals.

One of the crucial tenets to effective pedagogy is building upon a students prior experiences and learning. The National College for School Leadership (NCSL), a former branch of the United Kingdoms Department of Education, listed taking these past experiences as one of the nine keys to quality teaching.

In the mid-20th century, research into childrens learning and cognitive development was heavily influenced by the work of (Jean) Piaget ... Piagets approach to child development emphasized three elements: the way a child explored her environment, the developmental stages through which children passed in making sense of the environment and the role of adults in assessing a childs readiness to learn, a report from the agency stated.

This ties back to the irony of the progenitors, and current teachers, of D.A.R.E.s message: the police. In many communities around the country, to put it simply, the police arent trusted. A 2017 Gallup poll reported that 57% of Americans have a great deal or quite a lot of confidence in the police, which is the historical average.

Regardless of whether you think thats a good number for the police in general, its not the best for people who are required to teach the youth. When a police uniform is enough to turn off a student to what theyll hear, its clear that having a police officer teach D.A.R.E. programs is hustling backward in large swathes of the country.

D.A.R.E. also has an interesting take on the increasing legalization of marijuana. It correctly stated that it is neither safe nor healthy for students and all children under the age of 18 to use marijuana, but with the stated goal of effecting future use, the way it has taught that marijuana is to be avoided in any circumstance is, once again, contradictory at best.

These are far from the only reasons why D.A.R.E. didnt work, but it has substantial issues with the program. Cool t-shirts aside, all you have to do is walk down Easton Avenue any given Saturday night to see that D.A.R.E. didnt always, and probably rarely, met its own marks.

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Dare to criticize D.A.R.E., ineffectively educating our youth - RU Daily Targum

Former actor Bijay J. Anand, best known for playing Kajols ex-boyfriend Rahul in the 1998 hit Pyaar To Hona Hi Tha, is now unrecognisable in his long salt-and-pepper beard, man bun and a pair of sparkly bright eyes. He is now a yoga guru who teaches all around the world and claims that stumbling upon the practice of kundalini yoga in Rishikesh changed his life. t2 recently attended a three-day kundalini yoga workshop by Bijay at the Atmantan Wellness Resort in Pune and came back rejuvenated.

The three-day wellness and healing experience organised by Atmantan Wellness Centre and Anahata Retreats was a near life-changing experience for us. Atmantan, that sits atop a unique crystal hill overlooking the majestic Sahyadri range and the Mulshi Lake in Maharashtra, was our home for three days of the workshop. Located a little over a three-hour-drive away from Mumbai, the Atmantan Wellness Resort in Mulshi is spread over 42 acres.

When we reached, it was raining and the ambience was beautiful and serene. We were handed schedules of the next three days, curated to relieve us of stress, depression and ill health and lead us to renewed vigour and vibrancy like the blossoming of the lotus.

What is kundalini yoga?

I have done yoga before but not kundalini yoga, so I was intrigued to find out more about this new form. Kundalini yoga claims to heal one from the inside as well as outside. The practice uses mantras, kriyas, and mudras that go deep into your subconscious mind and connect you with your suppressed emotions of grief, anger, pain and toxicity. In addition to that, it aims to heal ones chakras and realign them to offer a holistic and rejuvenating experience.

Beginning to heal

Our orientation on the first day began around 4.30pm. On the first day, we were taught about the nature of the Anahata (heart) chakra and its connection with our aura. Im a very anxious and hyperactive person by nature so I must admit that I did face difficulty in concentrating on the first day. But I also felt a sense of calm that was hard to ignore. I finished my dinner by 7pm and was already calmly sleeping by 8.30pm a first ever!

The next day began early at 7am with an hour-long morning sadhana followed by breakfast. Today, we were learning about how to open our heart chakra. We chanted, we meditated and we tried an exercise where we were taught how to get rid of all the toxicity of our lives. I suddenly realised I had tears in my eyes this was something I had never felt before, it was a completely different experience. We broke for lunch and I must mention here that we were only served light, vegetarian food during the three days of the retreat.

Atmantan has a private waterfall inside their property and we hiked till there after lunch. It was our very own Mandakini moment, standing under the cold waterfall and feeling cleansed from the very core. We got back in the evening for the Healing of the Heart session.

Our kundalini yoga teacher

Apart from the regular kriyas and mantras that we practised, what really caught my attention was how Bijay was as a teacher. He was completely zen-like and in control he knew exactly what he was doing. Bijay was certified by the Kundalini Research Institute, Los Angeles, after he learnt kundalini yoga from Rishikesh. The principle philosophy behind Bijays teachings is love and its connection with the fourth chakra in our body the Anahata chakra. He told us all about his life experiences, about enlightenment and how even a few minutes of meditation in our busy, daily lives can heal us to a great extent.

He told us that the first 10 minutes of his exposure to kundalini yoga to cleanse the chakras moved him so deeply that he knew instantly that he had found what he had been searching for his entire life. It greatly affected me and I mentally noted that once I got back to my regular life, Id take up the practice in whatever little capacity I can.

Blossoming of the lotus

The crux of the entire workshop was that we are as beautiful as a lotus and just like a lotus looks beautiful even in muck, we too, can blossom beautifully in this world full of negativity around us. The session on the last day was called the Blossoming of the Lotus. I dont know if it was the serene ambience of the retreat, the mighty mountains, the chants or the power of kundalini yoga itself, but I was a changed person after that weekend my husband could feel the difference once I was back and even asked me why I was being so much quieter than my usual chirpy self.

If youre stressed with your daily routine or feel like you need a breather, contact Atmantan Wellness Resort for their next kundalini yoga retreat.

A chat with kundalini yoga teacher Bijay J. Anand on the sidelines of the workshop:

How did kundalini yoga happen to you after being an actor and then an art dealer?

I got a lot of fame being an actor, signing a lot of autographs, experiencing the whole whirlwind of being mobbed by 300 people at the airport. Then at some point, I got disillusioned with it. I just had enough at the peak of my career... I was offered 20 films after Pyaar To Hona Hi Tha had released. I didnt want to work any more and people thought Ive gone crazy because thats what every actor dreams of, to get that big hit. But some intuition in me made me stop. I gave it all up and pursued art as a career; I became an art dealer and made a lot of money there. Then, apart from fame, I experienced wealth and luckily for me, I used that for travelling. I travelled to more than 60 countries. That taught me a lot, when you go to a new country you lose yourself in everything. You dont know the language, the people... you lose yourself and thats where you find yourself.

Somewhere the seeds of spirituality and enlightenment were sown in all the travelling and experiences that I had. One day, I got done with art as well and gave up everything to pursue spirituality. I devoted all my time in learning vipassana and going for various yoga and spirituality courses. In one of them, I found kundalini yoga and in the first five minutes of starting it in the class, I knew Ive found something Ive been looking for my entire life. I was so excited with that discovery that I signed up for the next teachers training course and after that I realised that its so beautiful that I want to share it with the world for the rest of my life.

How has kundalini yoga changed your life since then?

Our teacher had taught us one thing that I really love When you want to learn something, study it. When you want to master something, teach it. Learning kundalini yoga changed a lot about me my priorities, my energies, the way I deal with people, the whole understanding about auras. But what really helped me was the fact that I teach because as a teacher, you keep working towards improving yourself as a human being. The authenticity and integrity as a teacher lies in being true to your practice in teaching. When Im telling you to be honest and a good human being and if Im not a good human being myself, youd know that Im lying. When you practice that goodness in your life, that shows in your face. Kundalini yoga changed my life, yes, but teaching it and travelling to all these countries and sharing it has made me evolve even more and made me what I am today.

How would you describe the three-day Blossoming of the Lotus retreat that we just attended?

The lotus is a metaphor for you as a human being, as a soul how you are in this world that is totally corrupt, volatile, negative and full of violence. Just like the lotus looks so beautiful in a ugly swamp of dirty water, you can shine, too, as beautifully in this ugly, sad world. This three-day programme that we practised here was designed to make you understand what the Anahata chakra is. The connection of the Anahata chakra with your aura and what you need to do to heal the Anahata chakra... its only when you heal your heart chakra can you blossom like a lotus in this world.

What made you choose Atmantan for this retreat?

Atmantan has these crystals all over the property thats embedded in the bedrock, which is part of the geography of the place. Its because of that theres an energy here thats really healing. The nature and the scenery all around is very beautiful and pure. The hospitality and service we get, the way they look after every need, make it a natural choice. Im looking forward to working with them. The maximum number of events we do from here on will be with Atmantan now.

What would be your message for people who are still on the fence about taking up kundalini yoga?

Start with the first step. You dont dive into the swimming pool without knowing how to swim. You start with a small step and in this case, it is having the desire to heal. Understand that theres a heaven on earth now, not after you die. Have a desire to experience that heaven on earth and know that its possible to experience that heaven. The first step you take for that is by becoming healthy, by eating right, by exercising, by doing yoga. Its a small step but its the first step to enlightenment. When you clean up the body and mind, thats when you clean the environment for a clean and beautiful aura. Thats when you polish that aura and make it shine like a diamond.

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The Telegraph goes on a kundalini yoga retreat in Pune and comes back zen - Telegraph India

Worried stress may have begun to affect your health? Discover how you can start taking back control and make your stress levels more manageable

Stress may be a natural reaction leftover from our caveman days, but knowing that what we are feeling is normal doesnt feel very helpful in the moment. Between work, family, relationships, and finances not to mention the ongoing climate and political upheaval dominating the news its no wonder than nearly three in four (74%) of us have felt so overwhelmed that we feel unable to cope during the past year.

In the UK, over the past year weve losing 12.8 million working days thanks to stress, depression and anxiety. Lets not even get into the impact that has on our home lives. More and more of us are reporting feeling stressed about our lack of sleep, our mental health, and even how clean were keeping our homes.

At a time where we should be reaching out and seeking help, more and more of us are expressing feelings of reluctance. New research released in time for International Stress Awareness Week 2019 by EOS Scientific revealed that 30% of us are wary about approaching our doctors about mental health, as we dont want to be prescribed medication that may be too severe for our symptoms or may have negative side effects.

Medication for depression: what are my other options?

Nearly half (47%) of those surveyed who expressed reluctance to speak with their GP about stress and mental health were aged 18-34. While speaking with your GP should always be the first port of call if you are seriously concerned about your health and wellbeing, nearly a quarter (24%) of us are managing our own mental health using holistic and alternative remedies. What are our other options?

We all experiences different kinds of stress at different points in our lives. You may have the ongoing stress from a long commute, or the short-term stress of a big deadline looming at work. Clinical hypnotherapist Jon explains how solution-focused hypnotherapy can give a way for us to track and better understand our stress.

In solution-focused hypnotherapy, we often like to discuss the concept of a stress bucket. It is an analogy for the way in which stressful thoughts and incidents will eventually disengage our intellectual mind and engage our primitive emotional brain.

Imagine a bucket inside of you a bucket that gradually fills up each time you experience a challenging event, ruminate over upsetting aspects of the past or imagine things going wrong in the future. As the bucket gets fuller and fuller, the influence of the intellectual mind diminishes. Our mind and body misunderstand this increasing stress as a threat. We can find ourselves in the grip of a vicious circle the negative forecasting creates anxiety that fills up our stress bucket even more which only causes more negative thinking and so on.

REM sleep is natures way of emptying our stress bucket during REM we dream and move stressful experiences from the primitive brain, where they cause an emotional response, to the intellectual brain, where they become narrative memories over which we have better control. A skilled therapist will help you develop an optimal sleep pattern to maximise the benefits of REM.

Hypnotherapy can help you change unwanted thought patterns, directly addressing the issues you face through a solution-focused approach. Discover more about how hypnotherapy can help you to deal with stress, anxiety, and depression.

Sitting down with a cuppa and a good book isnt just relaxing it can have a positive impact on our mental health. The Reading Well book scheme offers helpful information and support, highlighting some of the best books on mindfulness, mental health, and a whole host of issues as chosen by professionals.

Discover more about mood-boosting books, or check out our top five recommendations to help you uncover your stressors, create a healthier work-life balance, and overcome feelings of being overwhelmed with these five stress-reducing reads.

What we eat can have a surprising impact on not only our overall sense of health and wellbeing, but also on how we are feeling, and how able we feel to face lifes unexpected challenges.

As one nutritionist from Nutritionist Resource explains, there are small changes to your overall diet that can make a big impact on how you are feeling and able you feel to handle stress.

Increasing your vitamin D, zinc and omega-3 fatty acid intake by eating more eggs, oily fish, walnuts, flaxseed, or sunflower seeds can help to protect against depression. Ensuring you start the day with a balanced breakfast can improve not only your mood, but also your memory, concentration, and energy levels throughout the day.

If youre a big coffee or tea drinker, cutting back on caffeine and increasing your water intake could help; caffeine can exacerbate feelings of depression and anxiety, and may lead to dehydration without us realising. This can go on to cause headaches, mood changes, feelings of lethargy, slower responses, and poor concentration.

Stress can negatively impact digestion, lead to weight fluctuation due to changing eating habits, and may even lead to chronic fatigue. As Nutritionist Vanessa explains, although stress may now seem like it has become an accepted part of modern life, nutritional and lifestyle changes could help improve your situation.

Generally, if strategies for calming the brain and nervous system can be put in place at the stage of feeling stressed and strung out, then burn out can potentially be averted. However, if this doesnt happen then the adrenal and nervous system dysregulation can become a significant issue, sometimes leading to a virus resulting from lowered immunity.

It is thought there may be a certain personality type who is more likely to develop chronic fatigue syndrome and who will generally find it more challenging to manage stress (at least until they have developed an understanding). These are often A types, high achieving perfectionists who are usually highly sensitive. Recognising the pros and cons of these traits can be vital to recovery and to understanding and handling stress better in future.

If youre a stress eater, Nutritionist Joanne suggests making healthy, positive food choices before you feel too tired or stressed, as this can be when rational thoughts around healthy eating go out of the window.

Ensure you eat enough protein in each meal. Options include eggs, fish, chicken, seafood, meat or dairy, [or for vegetarians] vegetable protein sources include chickpeas, lentils, beans and tofu.

Introduce small protein based snacks to help keep you sustained in the morning or afternoon. For example, a few nuts, a matchbox amount of cheese or even a boiled egg.

Plan ahead by spending 10 minutes writing down what your meals will be next week. Stick it on the fridge or somewhere easy to see. Make use of healthy ready meals with chopped and frozen vegetables.

Being more mindful of which herbs we are choosing to use can also help to reduce feelings of stress. As one chinese and western herbal expert explains through Therapy Directory, herbs have been used for centuries to help with mood and health.

If you are experiencing digestive problems thanks to stress, incorporating chamomile tea may help with mild symptoms. Lemon balm or lemon verbena can also have a positive digestive effect.

It feels like theres an app for just about everything but is that really a bad thing? If you struggle to fit self-care in or learning more about small, positive changes into your regular routine, an app could be a great way to fit around your busy schedule.

Weve shared five of our favourite apps to help ease stress, or check out these seven great apps to help with feelings of stress and anxiety, as recommended by Counselling Directory.

Time-management is one of those adulting skills that can feel like it's just out of our grasp on a good day, let alone when were feeling stressed. If you feel like youre always running out of time or are struggling with productivity, working with a coach could be the answer.

Life Coach Directory member Rachel, explains

If we look at things in a different way, understand what heightens levels of stress or anxiety and learn to respond and think differently, the feelings will naturally subside. It may be difficult to do this alone but with help, it can really work.

If you find the right coach, they will be able to help you deal with your anxiety or stress and feel like yourself again. Look for someone who is happy to have a chat and listen to what you have to say - rather than someone who is just trying to sell themselves.

Ask how they might approach your situation. Also, ask how many sessions they think you may need and costs. Although the coach might need to meet with you first they should be able to give you a rough idea based on experience. Then you can decide if it is worth it to you.

There are many people out there who believed being stressed and anxious was just part of who they were and theyd have to put up with it. Yet, weeks later, after working through it, their panic attacks have subsided, they feel much more in control and far less stressed.

Find out more about how you can start decreasing your stress and maximising your productivity, or find out how technology may be able to help. If work-related stress really are becoming too much, it could be a sign that its time to make some changes in your career.

Between smart watches that track our sleep patterns to apps that help us feel calm before bed, for some, technology has given rise to a new kind of stress orthosomnia. If you find yourself struggling to get a restful nights sleep thanks to insomnia, or stressing about how much and what quality sleep you are getting, there are a number of small tweaks you can make to help have a more relaxing night.

Making your bedroom a more sleep-friendly space can be a good first step. Removing unneeded gadgets and electronics, investing in heavy curtains, and creating a calm, relaxing environment can all help.

Incorporating mindfulness or meditation before bed can be a key component in creating a pre-bed self-care routine that works for you. If you find yourself feeling restless or tense, engaging in light exercise such as yoga can be a relaxing way to burn off that extra energy.

During periods of high stress, it can feel like your life is spiralling out of control. As Counsellor Greg explains, When stress builds up you may notice your reactions become more conditioned and automatic. You probably end up feeling overwhelmed.

Find yourself a quiet place like a bedroom, a park bench, or your garden. Any place that you use as a safe haven. Play some relaxing music, close your eyes and slowly turn down the white noise in your mind. Focus on your breath, until some calm is restored and your thoughts go down a few notches.

By working with an experienced, qualified therapist, you can not only address issues that may be causing you undue stress and anxiety, but can also learn how you can break negative cycles through self-regulation and other techniques.

If traditional routes of managing stress dont feel like theyre quite the right fit for you, there are a whole host of complementary therapies and alternative options out there that may help.

EFT (or tapping) can be used to help manage stress and anxiety. Essential oils can be a key component in de-stressing through aromatherapy massages, the use of scented candles, meditation, or the use of diffusers. Or working with a holistic therapist can help you to create a self-care routine that works for you. Discover more about the different kinds of therapies available.

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What Stress Solution Is Right For Me? - Happiful Magazine

Ranbir Kapoor, who is considered one of the finest actors of Bollywood, marked his debut in the year 2007. The actor is known for his ease of presenting his characters on the screen and has reportedly worked in 17 movies so far. Fansand the audience have always praised RK for his choiceof scripts. Here are some of the songs from the Roy actor's films you can listen anytime to motivate yourself:

READ |Deepika Padukone-Ranbir Kapoors On-screen Chemistry Sparkles In Ad

Penned by Javed Akhtar, composers Shankar-Ahesaan-Loy composed the track Aaj Kal Zindagi. The song was vocalised by singer Shankar Mahadevan who was praised for its relaxing music and relatable lyrics. The song is picturised on Ranbir Kapoor and KonkannaSharma in the film Wake Up Sid.

Though the Priyanka Chopra and Ranbir Kapoor starrerAnjaana Anjaani was a debacle at the box office, the music album of the film was an instant hit. The song Aas Paas Khudawas sung by singer Rahat Fateh Ali Khan. The lyrics written by Vishal-Shekhar was praised by masses.

READ |Kartik Aaryan Reveals Why He Is Envious Of Actor Ranbir Kapoor

The song Kun Faya Kun by A.R Rahman, Javed Ali and Mohit Chauhan is penned by lyricist Irshaad Kamli. The song picturised on Ranbir Kapoor was appreciated for its restful music. The music track has picturised the struggles of Ranbir's character in the film.

Barfi was not only critically acclaimed for the actors' performances but also loved for its background scores. The song Aashiyaan which presented the life of Barfi andJhilmil were much-loved by fans. Singers Shreya Ghoshal and Nikhil Paul George lent their voice to the song.

READ |5 Ranbir Kapoor Hairstyles That Will Give You Major Style Goals

The song Safarnama featuresin 2015's release Tamashawhich stars the Bachana-E-Hasseno duo, Ranbir and Deepika. The lyrics are pennedby Irshaad Kamil and the music composition is done by A.R Rahman. Itwas sung by Lucky Ali. The other song Tu Koi Aur Ha,vocalised by A.R Rahman, Alam Ferovic and Arjun Chandy, is considereda masterpiece by fans.

The Jagga Jassos actor's filmSanju caught the attention of the audience and also became the highest-grossing film of Kapoor's career so far. The song Har Maidaan Fateh on courage and hope sung by Sukhwinder Singh and Shreya Ghoshal is penned by Shekhar Astitwa. The song was an instant hit and joined the playlist of many fans.

READ |Lucky Ali: Here Are Iconic Songs In Bollywood Of The Famous Singer

Get the latest entertainment news from India & around the world. Now follow your favourite television celebs and telly updates. Republic World is your one-stop destination for trending Bollywood news. Tune in today to stay updated with all the latest news and headlines from the world of entertainment.

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Ranbir Kapoor: Songs featuring the Barfi star that cannot be missed - Republic World - Republic World

Sometimes throwing on a tune is the best way to blow off some steam, but sometimes it's hard to find that one perfect song for the moment. Well you're in luck: scientists have determined the most relaxing songs and we can even show you what they sound like.

What do you do when youre stressed? Go out for some fresh air? Or lie down quietly, stick your headphones on and put on some calming music? If you generally opt for the latter, weve got something for you. Manchester based trio Marconi Union, have an album of five songs that could come in very useful.

You may not have ever heard of Marconi Union before now. But their music is ranked as some of the most relaxing in the world. The song ranked as the most relaxing is titled Weightless. The eight minute track has been written and designed in collaboration with the British Academy of Sound Therapy. Its virtues have been scientifically proven. Scientists from the Mindlab Institution used the music in an experiment.

11% more relaxing

They recruited the help of 40 female volunteers who were made to listen to a whole playlist of music, some tracks being more relaxing than others. Whilst connected to sensors, the volunteers had to listen to the music, whilst they tried solving a puzzle in record time. For each track, the heart rate, blood pressure, brain activity and breathing of the participants were meticulously monitored.

All tracks labelled as relaxing helped to lower the heart rate and blood pressure, a sign of reduced stress. But Weightless was the most effective of them all measured as 11% more relaxing and helped in reducing stress by 65%. According to Lyz Cooper, founder of the British Academy of Sound Therapy, Marconi Union used a scientific theory to design the worlds most relaxing music.

To further strengthen the relaxing side, the group were shown a Zen style video clip. This was a time-lapse made with a drone that filmed for several hours a stretch of water in the mountains of the Lake District.

The 10 most relaxing tracks

But Weightless isnt the only effective track to relax. Here are the 10 most relaxing pieces of music, as approved by scientists.

10- Cafe Del Mar- We Can Fly

9- Mozart- Canzonetta Sullaria

8- Adele- Someone Like You

7- All Saints- Pure Shores

6- Barcelona- Please Dont Go

5- Coldplay- Strawberry Swing

4- Enya- Watermark

3- DJ Shah- Mellomaniac (Chill Out Mix)

2- Airstream- Electra

1- Marconi Union- Weightless

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According To A Study, These Are The Most Relaxing Songs Ever - Gentside UK

Hello, passengers. Seth Richardson is grounded today, so Im in the cockpit. You can follow me, Sabrina Eaton, on Twitter for coverage of Washington news that affects the Buckeye State.

Contracting economies in the Midwest could be a campaign theme in upcoming months, as both political parties plan outreach to key contingencies including rural voters and white working class women.

Dont bank on it: The economies of several states that were key to President Donald Trumps 2016 victory Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin - will contract over the next six months, report Bloombergs Alexandre Tanzi and Gregory Korte. Presidents seeking re-election do well in a growing national economy but are endangered in downturns. The state-by-state data show a more complicated picture for Trump: The Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia expects the national economy to grow by 1.48% -- but with slower growth in battleground states that Trump most needs to win.

Rural revival: Trumps re-election campaign hopes to secure an advantage by increasing his support among rural voters in states like Wisconsin, writes McClatchys Alex Roarty. He found its voters view Trumps blunt, outspoken style as an antidote to Washingtons pervasive corruption. Democrats are taking the threat seriously and arms of the party have launched their own counter-effort in states such as Wisconsin, Michigan, Pennsylvania and Florida dead-set on running the kind of effective campaign in these places they say was missing during the last presidential election.

Womens work: Reporting from Iowa, McClatchys David Catanese describes buyers remorse from white, working-class women who voted for Trump in 2016. They liked Trumps populist stance in 2016, but now these key voters in eastern Iowa, central Minnesota, southwestern Wisconsin, northern Ohio and throughout Michigan see his rhetoric as divisive, impulsive and hostile. Additionally, they say their wages arent keeping up with the cost of living, leaving them open to other options. The profile of the eventual Democratic nominee will matter to these voters, as will the issues he or she chooses to prioritize.

What Iowans care about: Cedar Rapids Gazette columnist Lyz Lenz disputes the idea advanced by some of the states politicians that Iowans dont care about the behavior by President Trump that triggered an impeachment inquiry in the U.S. House of Representatives. The cynicism and amoral politicking on what Iowans care about is a game that no one wins. And misses a fundamental aspect of Midwestern nature, which is that Ive seen Iowans bleed from the head and aggressively insist they were fine and there is nothing to talk about, just to be polite. Why should it be any different for the open wound in the White House?

Gloves coming off in Iowa: Democratic candidates vying for their partys presidential nomination are escalating their attacks on one another as the Iowa caucuses approach in less than three months, writes Des Moines Registers Stephen Gruber-Miller. Youve seen some light sniping, some candidates trying sort of backhanded comments, but youre going to see open attacks, open criticism, good old-fashioned attack ads, said Grant Woodard, a Des Moines attorney and former Democratic campaign operative who is not aligned with a 2020 campaign.

The cost of debate: The University of Michigan agreed to pay at least $2.5 million to secure the Oct. 15, 2020 presidential debate at Crisler Center, according to a contract obtained by The Detroit News. The university is visiting schools that hosted past debates to figure out their full costs, so it can fundraise and budget appropriately, reports Beth LeBlanc.

Digging out coal: Last weeks bankruptcy filing by Ohios Murray Energy mining company has raised concerns that the states funds to clean up abandoned mines will be overwhelmed, writes cleveland.coms Jeremy Pelzer. An actuarial report released earlier this year indicated the state would have to pay $202 million to reclaim all 13 of Murrays Buckeye State locations, but the states Reclamation Forfeiture Fund only has about $23 million in it meaning the remaining money would have to come from the states general revenue fund.

Coal comfort: The Environmental Protection Agency has proposed relaxing two Obama-era regulations on waste products from coal-fired power plants, a move environmental groups say would prolong the risk of toxic spills or drinking water contamination, writes Reid Frazier of State Impact Pennsylvania. The agency wants to ease restrictions on coal ash the solid residue left over from burning coal and wastewater from coal plants. In the rule changes announced Monday, plants could have up to three more years to begin closing unlined coal ash ponds, which can leak contaminants into surrounding groundwater.

Carpe diem: Michigan says it remains willing to contribute $8 million toward initial stages of a project to prevent Asian carp from reaching the Great Lakes, the Associated Press reports. Department of Natural Resources Director Dan Eichinger affirmed the commitment Tuesday in a letter to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The funding would pay for preconstruction, engineering and design of a planned barrier system at the Brandon Road Lock and Dam near Joliet, Illinois. Congress has been asked to cover most of the projects $778 million cost.

Dayton drive-by: Determining that Dayton displays almost every trend affecting modern America, from the opioid disaster to mass shootings to the departure of large factories, The Atlantics James Fallows is planning a series of regular dispatches from the city. His inaugural installment discusses the August shooting with Mayor Nan Whaley, who told him I would like us to be known as a place that action came out of.

Gun policy under fire: An Ohio gun store owner is running a 30-second TV ad that criticizes Toledo Mayor Wade Kapszukiewiczs woke policy of questioning the vendors from whom it buys guns about whether they make assault weapons and sell them to civilians, writes Sarah Elms of The Blade. Steve Thompson, who owns ADCO Firearms in Sylvania, says that if the commercial prompts at least one person to question the mayors policy, it will be worth the $1,000 he spent on the four-month slot on Channel 24.

Abortion case: Indiana backs Ohios efforts to ban women from getting abortions if the fetus has Downs syndrome, according to Dan Carden of nwi.com. The states GOP Attorney General, Curtis Hill Jr., submitted a legal filing Friday on behalf of Indiana supporting Ohios efforts to restrict a womans right to abortion based on the reason why the woman wants to terminate her pregnancy. His friend of the court brief filed at the federal appeals court in Cincinnati says states should have the right to limit abortion based on the womans reason for choosing the procedure to prevent eugenic targeting of certain characteristics.

Expedite expungement: Michigan lawmakers want to make it easier for people with felony convictions to expunge their criminal records, including a proposal that would allow for automatic expungement after 10 years without another crime, writes Riley Beggin of Bridge Magazine. Research shows that expungement which makes certain criminal offenses invisible to the public while remaining visible to police and prosecutors improves access to higher wages and better jobs without threatening public safety. But the process can seem labyrinthian for people who cant afford a lawyer, and criminal justice advocates argue far too few people qualify under existing law.

Pot arrests a plus: Having a pot-related arrest or conviction used to be a liability for job seekers, but a criminal record might lead to a job in Illinois legal marijuana industry, writes Tom Schuba of Chicago Sun Times. The states legalization law gives an edge to budding ganjapreneurs vying for licenses to sell and grow recreational weed if most of their employees have been arrested for or convicted of a cannabis offense thats eligible for expungement. In addition, companies can get a leg up in the process if their workers live in an area disproportionately impacted by past drug policies or have an affected family member.

Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar appeared at a coffee house in Philadelphia on Monday night, according to Allison Steele of The Philadelphia Inquirer. She spent most of the event making a case for her electability before a crowd of about 350.

https://www.inquirer.com/news/amy-klobuchar-fishtown-philadelphia-20191105.html

Former Vice President Joe Biden was holding a fundraiser in Pittsburgh on Tuesday night, writes Julian Routh of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Attendees were to include real estate executives, deep-pocketed Democratic donors and the youngest son of the late Steelers chairman, Dan Rooney.

Dignitaries who spoke at Mondays funeral of longtime Michigan Democratic Congress member John Conyers included former President Bill Clinton and Detroit music legend Stevie Wonder, report Kathleen Gray and Todd Spangler of Detroit Free Press. The most important thing to remember is how different the playing field was when he began and when he ended, how steep the mountain he climbed over and how many real lives were improved by his labors, said Clinton. Like all great jazz musicians, (John) Coltrane, Miles (Davis) and Charlie Parker, he wasnt perfect. But that makes his achievements all the more important.

Entrepreneur Tom Steyer will attend several campaign events in Milwaukee on Wednesday, his campaign says. They include a breakfast with Milwaukee Latinx leaders, a speech before an American Federation of Teachers Forum, and a town hall hosted by Milwaukee Democrats.

Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders will make a series of Iowa appearances with New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez on Nov. 8 and 9, according to the Des Moines Registers candidate tracker. The pair will hold a rally at Iowa Western Community College on the 8th, conduct a climate crisis summit at Drake University on the 9th, and a rally later that day at the Coralville Marriott Hotel and Conference Center.

I worry about him the most because I think a lot of voters, particularly in the bubble, forget its more about a gut check than a policy list. Its a gut-check thing.

-Republican former Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker, referring to Bernie Sanders being a formidable opponent for Donald Trump in rural Wisconsin, according to Alex Roarty of McClatchy. Walker, however, emphasized that rural voters would be drawn to Trumps authenticity and anti-establishment moxie, Roarty writes.

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The economy, stupid : The Flyover - cleveland.com

As we began to climb the near 90-degree slope, it felt like one step forward, two steps back, our feet sliding through the sand back down the slope.

Dune du Pilat is 360 feet high and stretches for two miles along the French Atlantic coast from Arcachon in the north towards Biscarrosse Plage in the south. It attracts scores of tourists climbing the slopes up to its rim and then down to the sea.

For those less adventurous than us, there are flights of steps helping people to enjoy the summit without the challenge of the sandy slopes.

But my wife, 11-year-old daughter and eight-year old son were determined that the dune would not defeat us and eventually we made it to the top, to rest in the white sand and admire the scenery. From its peak are stunning views across the bay and, as a popular paragliding spot, you can watch the enthusiasts taking to the skies.

We were staying with Eurocamp at the five-star Domaine de la Rive in the Landes department of Nouvelle-Aquitaine a family-focused parc complete with pools, slides, a spa, bars, shops and restaurants.

Eurocamp has a wide selection of accommodation offering different sizes and specifications of holiday home. We stayed in the three-bed Avant, which has a fully-fitted kitchen and living area, shower, deck and gas barbecue. The layout of the parc means accommodation is fairly tightly packed in, but the space of the surrounding area more than makes up for this.

The parc is located at the edge of Biscarrosse Lake and seven miles from the town of Biscarrosse with its wine shops and markets. Its setting means there is plenty of opportunity to enjoy water sports such as windsurfing, canoeing or pedaloes.

Another of the options is cycle hire. We borrowed bikes for a day, touring the area which is mainly flat around the lakes, but with some surprising hills towards the coast.

The region has an excellent set of cycle routes both on designated pathways and shared roads. On the whole, its easy going, whether youre an experienced cyclist or a novice. We followed the routes direct from La Rive through winding lanes and along the lake. There was something quintessentially French as we cycled along, especially listening to the accordion music drifting across the route from one of the roadside bars.

It was then on up and over the hills and through the woodland to Biscarrosse Plage a popular town and seaside resort where we took time to visit the many tourist shops, get a bite to eat and then spend time on the beach, enjoying the heat of the afternoon sun.

Back we then pedaled along the picturesque routes into Biscarrosse in time for coffee and milkshakes before heading back to La Rive. It was a fantastic way to spend time together as a family and feel a sense of achievement as we climbed the hills and later totted up the number of miles we had covered.

The area is fairly rural with a gentle feel and slow-paced lifestyle, but just an hours drive north is the port city of Bordeaux, famed as the centre of the wine-producing region. We drove to the outskirts and then caught the tram into the bustling city with its narrow streets and tall buildings. The historic part of Bordeaux is a UNESCO World Heritage site due to its 18th century architecture.

Buying a Citypass you can get free or discounted access to many of the tourist sites, including the iconic Cit du Vin museum, which takes you on a journey through the world of wine.

We also enjoyed a tour of the city on an open-top bus before walking along the riverside towards the Cit du Vin, taking in the views across the famous water mirror and watching the street artists. You can jump on board a river boat, borrow a bike or ride the tram to take in more of the city.

The south west of France is a region which has been missed off my list previously,, but has so much to offer.

Flights are available to Bordeaux, but we opted to take the car and travel with Brittany Ferries to Santander a four-hour drive on to Biscarrosse. The overnight ferry journey takes about 24-hours, or more with Brittanys Economie service, but means you dont have to think about the journey and can relax on board. On the way back we travelled aboard the quicker Pont-Aven and enjoyed a superb four-course evening meal before relaxing in our cabin, ready to wake up the following morning well on track for our journey home.

Spending just a week in the Grand Lacs was only enough to scratch the surface of what this area has to offer. Im sure at some point well be back on the bikes, climbing the sand dunes and soaking up the history of this beautiful stretch of the Atlantic coast.

Accommodation:Tim Hopkinson and family stayed as guests of Eurocamp at La Rive. Prices start from 333, for a family of six staying in a two-bedroom Azure Plus. For more information visit http://www.eurocamp.co.uk Travel:Brittany Ferries operates the longer routes from Portsmouth and Plymouth directly to northern Spain. Fares from Portsmouth to Santander start from 648 return for a family of four and a car including an en-suite cabin on both sailings. Book online at brittany-ferries.co.uk or call 0330 159 7000.

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Exploring new heights on France's record-breaking dune with a view... - The Scarborough News

(Credit: Janine Guldener)

The Berlin-based mezzo-soprano Bettina Ranch dreamed about a career as a singer since childhood. And while she started off her musical path as a violinist, she eventually made the switch, which has led her to a major vocal career greater than even her dreams could handle. She has been an ensemble member of the Aalto Musiktheater Essen since the year 2016 and has performed with such companies as the Berlin Staatsoper Unter den Linden, the Deutsche Oper Berlin, the Komische Oper Berlin, and Salzburg Festival, as well as such orchestras as the Hamburg Philharmonic, the Stuttgart Bachakademie, the Kammerakademie Potsdam, the Dresden Philharmonic etc.

She recently talked to OperaWire about her career and its development over the years.

Bettina Ranch: I always wanted to sing, as long as I remember myself. I would say to my parents that I will be a singer and I was singing every day, even when I felt sick.

My father was a violinist though; he was the first chair in the orchestra so violin always had a role in the family. Playing the violin was fun for me as well, I enjoyed it and Im sure I had talent. Also, I always felt too lazy for this profession although I played for a long time and I was studying in Berlin academy. I knew I will not make to be the first chair in the orchestra and I wanted no other chair.

Then I made my decision to go back to singing. Actually I started relatively late to professionally learn to sing, but it was not too difficult, because I knew I always had singing in me. To this day there is just no alternative of what I could do in my life. After quitting violin I started to take private lessons and made my soloist my solo debut in concert with the Bachakademie Stuttgart under Helmuth Rilling and on the opera stage with the title role in Handels Giulio Cesare at the Staatstheater Kassel. I always wanted this.

BR: As a kid, I was going a lot to the operas in Berlin. I was visiting Berlin Staatsoper Unter den Linden, the Komische Oper Berlin and it kind of felt like at home. I was listening to how singers then were talking about rehearsals and their work. I used to think that they were very cool. So the theater world and its air was a familiar place to me. I really grew up listening to opera. And the reality is not that far away from my idea of it.

Of course, when you experience yourself, you understand that not everything in this profession is just glitz and glamor. Its lonely, it requires hard work. Of course, I wouldnt think about that when I was the kid. But the emotional payoff is as real and strong as I imagined it.

BR: Yes. There are so many singers that have prior played the violin because it is a very melodic bel canto instrument. Still, the violin sings, I always had this impression. Not like a piano that has percussive qualities.

So since childhood, I could express myself with violin, learning about phrasing, dynamics, and dramaturgy of the sound. It was important for my singing career. Its a big advantage to have such musical training.

BR: My singing teacher is the most important for me in my work. We dont meet every day, but she is like my voice-mother, to which I can call and ask for advice. During the years she has taught me a lot. Of course, many things about vocal technique and interpretation. She herself was a very fine singer and she had sung in many opera houses worldwide, she has lots of experience.

I like that she is honest with me, and often says yes, what you think is correct, but unfortunately things do not work in this way. She reminds me about the emotional origins of music and singing, you have to understand the reality of the situation. Only she can give me that.

BR: The main difference between Berlin and the other music centers of other European countries is that in Germany, each opera house has a permanent ensembles of singers. As an opera soloist, you commit to one opera house for few years. In other countries they dont have such a system they commission new artists for every performance. You are usually asked to perform the same roles you performed well before, so there are not that many possibilities for growth.

While working on different productions in one opera house you can broaden your repertoire and challenge yourself with new roles. And you grow to start your residence with smaller roles and later on performing as a lead vocalist in an opera production. That is the main difference.

BR: It comes down to the organization. When everything is clear the trains drive and the plains fly then there is no stress. But too often things dont go according to plan and that is tiring. In general, I feel good while traveling; every day is a new experience. For instance, few days earlier I visited Ljubljana for the first time and it was beautiful. You get in touch with new cultures, different lifestyles and you always take something for yourself. Of course there is discipline, there is work. But nevertheless it is so exciting to share the music with the whole world.

BR: I exercise my body and my voice every day. I go to the fitness studio, try to keep myself fit. I am also in contact with my vocal teacher in Berlin. For me as a singer, it is important to have someone that would give some feedback because it is difficult to hear yourself. Maybe it sounds absurd, but human ears are pointed to the sides so we never really hear ourselves in the way we truly sound.

BR: I work in Opera Theater for 11 months a year, so I dont listen to opera in my free time. During my summer holidays, I go to Greece and try to forget everything that has to do anything with my professional life. Maybe I listen to only Sirtaki music. Classical singing and opera are just not on my head at that time.

Of course, after the vacation I cant go straight to work, I have to start exercising my voice somewhat a week prior. Again, like sports athletes. Human voice works just like any other muscle and it has to be trained. For my voice I can stop singing for three days and be okay, but if I stay silent for long, I have to train and warm up again.

Now after the summer holidays I will have a week to go back to my daily professional regime. Others try to sing every day, but I think it is very important to take breaks to relax your voice and nourish your body and soul. Even the athletes go on vacation. In order to be good at your job, you have to be well-rested and healthy. There is just no other way around. After the holiday I always feel so fresh, as if I would be born again.

BR: In the beginning, you must prepare your repertoire or your role alone or with a pianist. The interpretation usually comes from within me at this period. Sometimes it works out you go to the conductor with your idea and he thinks its great. He also has a similar approach to music as you do. Of course, thats a dream, it happens, but rarely. Usually, another scenario plays out you come to rehearsal and the conductor has his own idea about the piece that is different from your interpretation. Then you have to work that no one would have to give up on their interpretation and find a compromise that would more or less satisfy everybody.

Same goes in staging the opera. You rehearse for six weeks and you are looking for compromises with conductor every day. You try to understand each other and to come up with the solution. Sometimes it is important to say, that one or another idea would not work because of the limitations of your voice or of your physical abilities. As a singer, you always know your voice better and some compromises just cant be made, because that would compromise the quality of the performance. You have more time, though.

Rehearsing for a concert you have a day or a few, so you have to make compromises quicker, all the process is just faster. But for a concert it is enough. Of course, prior to orchestra rehearsals, you work alone and know every detail of how do you want to perform this music.

BR: It depends on the role and on the repertoire. Some roles feel close to me, I can understand them immediately and therefore the interpretation comes with ease. Sometimes I have to bring male roles to life. This is not so easy, but it is very interesting and you have to watch men a lot and depict the way they walk and stand, how do they carry themselves. This can take a long time for me. Sometimes it happens that I fully form an interpretation only after the premiere of the opera. You try one thing, you try another, you think you understand what the performance is about, but after the premiere, everything falls into its place.

When creating a character I usually start with getting familiar with their story and trying to understand the lines they say. I try to understand why he or she is behaving in this way? What are they reacting to the most? I look at the past and the future of their story. Then, when I get a grasp of what kind of person they are, I try to connect to these qualities in myself.

BR: Yes. Baroque music is very much ornamental; you have a little more artistic freedom for improvisation than in pieces of the romantic repertoire. While performing Wagner you have to be more accurate and focused. I also like performing contemporary music. It is more difficult for intonation and I usually struggle learning it, it takes time.

BR: I try to avoid stress. I try to relax, take a walk, and meet people. If the weather is nice, I stay outdoors. Usually, I take a short nap and after that, I feel like it is a beginning of a new day you wake up at afternoon, you take a shower, you eat something, you go to work, they get you in a costume and you go on stage. I take my time before the performance; I need to find my voice, to make sure people around me are okay.

My usual fear is that I will forget the text at the opera performance. Then I read everything again, make sure I remember the entire libretto. But that doesnt happen at the concert, so then I just try to stay healthy and happy. Of course, you are disciplined on a day of the performance, but I try to avoid stress and keep myself relaxed as much as possible.

BR: I try to express with my voice everything that music and text are trying to say. It is also important to me to perform through my heart. Through the interpretation, I also try to express my voice, my individuality. Some like the performance some dont, but it is important to bring quality on stage. I also think people should come to opera to relax and forget the stress. Its a pity when people are stressed about watching the opera, then they usually criticize it and leave unsatisfied.

One time it was a performance of the second Mahler symphony and I notice that two people in the audience were crying. I thought that was amazing. I like that people are allowing themselves to really relax. There is too much stress already. I also genuinely enjoy when people are satisfied with the performance, that it had reached their hearts in some way. That is important to me.

I think it is getting difficult for singers today because there are so many music recordings and people are choosing less to go to concerts. I think that is a shame. Of course, you cant compare life performance and voice from the edited CD recording. At concerts sometimes there are very difficult conditions, you have to sing in the very hot or very cold temperature, maybe you have some allergies going on, sickness, and your voice is being affected. Of course, it is easier to stay at home with your headphones. But going to a concert is an entirely different collective experience. You are giving yourself time to relax after work; the singers also stay disciplined in order to bring others a nice moment in the evening. It is a shame that now we consume everything so fast one entertainment, then the next.

BR: I hope that people will still be interested in operas and concerts. Organizations like Wiener Staatsoper or Salzburger Festspiele in Austria are very successful and popular amongst people. I think that proves that we still need these types of cultural events and organizations. I hope the ticket prices will be lower in the future because it is still very expensive to go visit opera and it is a shame. I believe there are people that love opera but cant afford the ticket.

So my biggest wish for the future is that concerts and opera performances would be more affordable and that the recording industry would not take away the moment of live singing and playing instruments. It is a different connection to music when you hear it live. I also wish more children and young people would be educated about classical music, I believe it is important. That is still a long way to go.

I am worried about the future of church vocal music. Germany has a beautiful tradition of church concerts. When I perform there I see only elderly people in the audience. Then you start to think about whether anyone would go to such concerts a few decades later. Church music has long traditions it is in many ways a foundation of contemporary music. It is important to keep such traditions alive, I think.

BR: For me personally, I would like to broaden my repertoire and in the future still on other Wagner parts and e.g. the Eboli work. I dont know if I would dare to ask for more because so many dreams have become the reality in my life. To have performed in many major opera and concert halls and the Salzburg Festival this was not a concrete dream of mine, but I am happy for what I have achieved and I look forward to what the life will bring to me.

I would like to stay healthy; I would like to keep my voice healthy so I could continue doing what I am doing. And of course, I would like to stay happy. Work-life balance yes, this is a dream of mine.

I am crazy grateful for my career. To dream of becoming a singer in childhood and actually becoming it this is the biggest dream come true moment of my life. How many children dream of professions and then move on to do something different, probably more fitting to them? I had a desire to sing and it didnt abandon me throughout my life. Now people want me to sing and opera houses hire me. I am happy because of it. Maybe my desire for singing will end; I also can lose my voice at any moment.

But I know that the world is full of beautiful things to do, anyways. I know it would be just fine and this is very relaxing.

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Q & A: Mezzo-Soprano Bettina Ranch On European Musical Tradition, The Future of Singing - OperaWire