The temptation when you go (and then come back) from your summer holidays is to always think that where ever you’ve just been is “better than here” (as in, the town that you live in).
But the reality is that it’s no better, it’s no worse, it’s just “different”.
And because the people, the views, the weather and even the food and drink might be slightly different, it even feels better.
And there’s something in that for you to consider for these next 6 weeks. Doing something different really is the trick to ensuring that every day feels as good as it does when you’ve been on holiday.
Take this weekend gone in Hartlepool for example:
Wasn’t it great to see the “Friends of Ward Jackson Park” put on such a wonderful day for families and their children in one of the towns nicest spots to spend time. I enjoyed a few hours there on Sunday, and speaking to others in the park, the hot topic of conversation was “why isn’t this type of thing on more often” because when it’s on, people turn out and are really glad that they did.
And let’s look at who benefits:
For one, all of the people in Hartlepool who get to experience something different that weekend. The people who put on the stalls, they get to raise money or awareness of whatever it is that they’re passionate about, whilst educating curious passers by and children about their “thing”. Kids get to play on some new rides and run around (healthy) and take a break from computers. The nice coffee shop in the park which does a wonderful job all year round gets a few extra customers on the day, and maybe a few returning ones too.
And how about the health of everyone who made a trip to the park on Sunday?
We all know that walking is one of the best exercises you can do. It’s kind your knees, easy on the hips and because pretty much everywhere in Hartlepool is flat, it’s nice for your lower back, too.
So after spending a few hours walking in the park on Sunday, I decided to continue with my walk. And I left via the Elwick road gates and continued through the burn valley (with a pit stop to play on the swings with my little boy in there), continued along towards the Newburn bridge and along to Seaton front to take a stroll on the nice new promenade that the council have given us all to make use of (even stopped for fish and chips).
Then, turned around and walked right back along to the Marina. Stopped for a quick drink and to watch a few boats set sail (and the odd jet ski) before heading back home via Summerhill and to show my little boy the horses what live there.
Now, we did all of that in about 6 hours.
And I can safely say it was one of the nicest days that I’ve had in years and was a timely reminder with the summer holidays upon us that you don’t have to jump on a plane, or even hop in a car, to find something different to enjoy. All of these things are right on your doorstep and if you use all these places wisely, you can even top up your “tan” AND your health account at the same time. Enjoy 😉
Article printed in the Hartlepool Mail on 22nd July, 2014. Written By Specialist Physio Paul Gough.
You might know Paul as an expert Columnist who writes weekly health articles for TWO of the North East's biggest daily Newspapers, The Northern Echo And The Hartlepool Mail, he is a regular Speaker at Industry Seminars around the globe and a Radio Personality, often heard on the BBC. Paul has been an expert guest on dozens of Radio shows and regularly interviewed in newspapers, magazines and trade journals all over the world, including the Guardian.
Paul’s background included working extensively in the Premier League with a Top Professional Football Team, and since quitting his job in Professional Football in 2007, his Physio Practice has become the fastest growing in the UK and biggest in the North East. So successful, that companies like BUPA, ASDA, The Vela Group And Coast & Country, repeatedly retain his Physio company's services to keep healthy their own staff and workforce. Paul Gough Physio Rooms is now a large multi-physio, multi clinic speciality practice in Darlington, Durham, Guisborough and Hartlepool.
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