We’re almost at the beginning of a new year, and this means that promises of self improvement are soon going to be sweeping our nation. It’s arguably one of the best times of year to start afresh and work on making healthier choices.
It can be overwhelming to figure out where to start, though, especially if you’ve found yourself winding up with some unhealthy habits towards the end of the year. Setting yourself the goal of improving your mental health can be tricky during the bleak winter months, for example, or setting the goal of losing weight can be hard during the festive season.
With this in mind, today we thought that we would give you a hand with making some positive changes in your own life for this new year. As this great post by Invisibra states, setting new year’s resolutions and aiming to improve yourself is a great way to achieve mental stability and become the person that you’ve always dreamed of being.
Here at the Grapevine, we’re dedicated to finding the most interesting and alternative sources of entertainment and media in Birmingham. Whether you’re looking for a new healthy restaurant, a local brewery or an interesting show to watch, we’ve got you covered.
Today, we’re going to be looking at the best ways to keep healthy whilst in Birmingham, and identify some of the most interesting local haunts to check out while you’re at it.
Find an interesting local class to attend
To start off with, one of the best ways to get yourself in shape and stay healthy is to find a local class to attend. This doesn’t mean that you have to sign up for a regular aerobics or martial arts class, though. The fitness industry is constantly on the move, and there are always new, creative classes being set up for visitors to enjoy.
A great example of this would be a pole dancing class. It’s an art form that many people nowadays still view as taboo, due to its links to the sex work industry. However, many people use it as a great tool for empowerment and fitness. It’s also a great way to meet new people, as there is a bustling community surrounding the art.
Some great pole dancing classes that we found include the classes at Studio Stellar and Body Synergy classes at the One Academy- they’re both very highly reviewed. Pole fitness can be a great way to get stronger, both physically and mentally.
Keep yourself hydrated
This is an obvious point for most people, but it’s one that is worth repeating nonetheless. Making sure that you drink a lot of water is vital for keeping your body and mind healthy.
Luckily, it’s become somewhat of a trend to drink water. People nowadays are obsessed with infused water, and people all over social media can be seen adding all sorts of delicious herbs, fruits and vegetables to their iced water bottles. There’s also some fantastic products available on the market, like crystal infusion water bottles or the Kool8 water bottle.
Get out the house and explore
Another great thing to do to improve your fitness and wellbeing is to simply get out of the house and explore Birmingham. No matter whether you’ve lived in Birmingham for 10 weeks or 10 years, there will definitely be something new for you to find and explore.
Going geocaching is a fantastic way to get yourself active and out of your bedroom. If you’ve never gone geocaching before, it’s essentially a global treasure hunt that uses GPS to help pinpoint real prize drops in the real world. Check out the official blog to find out more.
Go on a hike
Following on from the previous point, there are some fantastic locations for scenic walks and hikes in the Birmingham area. Hiking can be incredibly rewarding, especially if you enjoy being in nature, and can be very fun to do with loved ones too.
Some of the best places to check out in Birmingham or nearby Birmingham include;
● Moseley Bog
● Woodgate Valley Country Park
● Sandwell Valley Country Park
Of course, it’s important to make sure that you’re adequately prepared if you’re going on a trek, especially if you’re new to hiking. If you’re searching for somewhere to get hold of some great hiking gear, make sure to check out this handy GiftWits guide.
Explore local healthy food options
Going out to eat is often thought of as an unhealthy treat, but there are actually some wonderfully healthy food options in the Birmingham community. If you’re careful about where you go and what you decide to order, treating yourself to a meal out could be very healthy.
A great place that we found whilst researching was the vegan restaurant Fressh. It’s incredibly well reviewed on Google, and is a plant based establishment. Customers note in their reviews that the food is healthy and great value for money, and that the staff is nice and friendly too. Take a look at their website here to get a feel for the style of food that they offer.
How the Grapevine could help you today
If you’re based in Birmingham and looking to make positive changes for yourself in the new year, you’ll be pleased to see how many options there are available to you. It’s a beautifully vibrant city, with plenty of alternative, intriguing local haunts to check out.
No matter if you’re looking to meet new people, get fit or keep yourself happy, there will be something great for you to spend your time doing this year.
To find out more about what Birmingham has to offer, make sure to check out the rest of our website. We’re constantly updating our site with the latest news and gigs for the local community, and we have plenty of interesting articles to read as well. Check them out today, and fee free to get in contact with us if you want any further information or to give feedback.