Best friend – Clairey Sweetie

I recently treated my best friend and I to a day at a Bristol health club and spa, Bannatyne’s.

Like many people, I have learnt the value of a good spa and how needed a day relaxing does for both my body and mind. My usual spa of choice is the Nirvana Spa near Wokingham that I have visited a few times now.

My best friend recently had a significant birthday (one I’ll be having next year myself), and so I treated us both to a spa day at Bannatyne Spa Bristol.

Treatments

As part of an offer on Groupon, I booked a full body massage for my friend and I, in addition to having full use of the pool, jacuzzi, sauna, gym and classes at this Bristol health club and spa.

If you take nothing else from the rest of this post, or even this blog, take this: full body massages are worth Every. Single. Penny! The massages we had at Bannatyne’s were incredible. Afterwards, both of us could hardly move for being so sleepy and relaxed, and our bodies were busy soaking up all of the oils that had been used.

Refreshments

Massages are thirsty work so after our dreamy session, we needed some refreshments before hitting the pool. Inside Bannatyne Spa, there’s an area just beyond the entrance for people to sit, relax and order food and drink; providing you don’t come in dripping wet from the pool, you’re welcome to use this part of the facility dressed in your robes.

In an ideal world, rather than a smoothie I would have been able to have had a coffee or some hot chocolate, but unfortunately hot drinks could only be made via a Costa Coffee machine and non-dairy milk wasn’t on offer; for a health club I found this incredibly poor.

Bristol health club and spa: summary

I think for a spa, there’s not quite enough there for a full experience, but for a health club I think Bannatyne Spa Bristol is perfectly reasonable. Had our massages not been moved from 2pm to 11:15am, Kate and I would have done a class or two before getting changed to use the spa facilities. That being said, all the two of us really wanted to do was have uninterupted conversation while relaxing and to be fair, that’s exactly what we got.

What are your favourite ways to relax?

Until next time x

One thing I learned fairly early on in life, was how to enjoy and be in my own company and be my own best friend. That’s not because I was an only child, or had a lack of friends, but I simply learnt that I haven’t always got to be with people.

Of course there are many times when there’s nothing nicer than having a day out with your best friend or your Mum/partner etc. but in equal measure knowing to be comfortable with yourself is important, particularly when they’re not available or around.

Five Schools, Moving Out, and Uni Life

As a child, I went to five different schools owing to my Dad’s career taking us to different areas of the country to live before settling in Devon (where they still are). Then when I was 19, I moved by myself to London to pursue dental nursing for a couple of years, and in 2009 I took myself to University in Bath.

I lived in a shared house for the first year or so, and then for the latter half of my degree I moved into my own little annex where I lived until moving in with Ian after graduating.

To cope with all the moving, I had to not only be okay in my own company, but it also took a level of confidence to be able to continually readjust to new locations and immerse myself within new groups of people. It has been a big blow that in the last few years, social anxiety has taken hold, so I can find new groups of people and unfamiliar places very intimidating.

Having Me Time

One of my very favourite things to do alone is to take myself to a coffee shop and enjoy a cappuccino and a book; it’s my perfect me time.

Every now and again, I also have the excuse to properly take myself out for the day and I don’t just mean out shopping (while that may be an element), I mean like to somewhere that gives me the opportunity and the excuse to do a number of things in my own company.

Most recently this was a couple of weekends ago when I took myself into London, met Ella Woodward (of Deliciously Ella) at a book signing, and explored a part of the city I am fairly unfamiliar with; I had a blast!

Learn who You Are

I think being okay just with yourself is important, I think it’s also one of the quickest and most fulfilling ways to really learn about yourself, what your strengths and weaknesses are, and how to find situations and opportunities to challenge yourself. Some people thrive in groups and others –like me- actually prefer more intimate friendships and relationships with people but it all depends on what you’re used to and like doing.

One of my most recent challenges was my holiday with Trek America last October and as a result, it has become one of the best things I have ever done for myself and forced me to tackle my social anxiety head on.

Tell me about you guys, are you people that enjoy your own company or do you prefer hanging out with friends and family? What are some of your favourite things to do?