Bored Meeting or Board Meeting!?
Swap your work suits for wet suits!
I don't know about you but just looking at this photo makes me want to leave my desk and head to the water immediately!
Being near the water is so relaxing, it helps me to re-center after being in the hustle and bustle of the city and leaves me energised and full of life...
"Nature is fuel for the soul"
Richard Ryan, lead author and a professor of psychology.
"Often when we feel depleted we reach for a cup of coffee, but research suggests a better way to get energized is to connect with nature"
I spend a lot of time on/ in the water. I grew up by the sea near Brighton and used to live in Cornwall, where we would often surf on our lunch breaks- *inhales deeply, wistfully romanticising of the beach*... time for a holiday I think!
I currently live in London so popping down to the beach for lunch is a bit tricky. However I do spend as much time as possible on The River Thames, nr Richmond- not the yucky brown bit in central London. When I have some time off, my favourite past time is Stand up paddle boarding.
Stand up paddle boarding and stand up paddle surfing (SUP), (Hoe he'e nalu in the Hawaiian language) are sports originating in Hawaii as an off-shoot of surfing. Fastly becoming extremely popular in the UK, in the surf or on calmer waters of our many beautiful rivers.
There really is no better way to spend a sunny day... or rainy day for that matter. The learning curve is fast and it can be a brilliant cardio and core work out, or a gentle, meandering adventure down river, depending on how hard you paddle! Either way it's brilliant exercise that will leave you feeling relaxed and exhilarated.
In our increasing busy, demanding lives SUPing is a fantastic way to unplug, logoff and spend some meditative time alone, or a fun way to catch up with friends.
Many people are now booking up SUP lessons/ hiring for parties, team building and even work meetings!
Just a few of the many great reasons to take to the water and your meetings outside:
Improved physical and mental health
Reduced stress in a natural environment
Enhanced energy levels
Strenthens the body and posture
Aerobic exercise generally protects long-term cognitive function
Fresh air and Vitimin D
Sitting for long periods is extremely detrimental to your health: BBC Heath article
Stronger relationships are formed while at 'play'
Our friends at Back of Beyond Adventures offer private 1-1 or group lessons and could facilitate your party, team building event or meeting with lunch/ refreshments if required. Getting wet is optional as you're unlikely to fall in (unless you want to) as the boards are stable and bouyant enough to support even the most weeble of you. So you can even keep your work suit on.
Ditch the board room and win your client over on board instead!
