Lisa's Glow & Tell

Lighting up my life recently is a real mixed bag including infrared therapy, blissful birdsong and a high vibe Tuk Tuk ride through Soho.

I just had a word with Life and explained that it was lemons it was meant to be chucking at me - not melons! Well…that’s how it’s feels sometimes doesn’t it? But I didn’t have to dig too deep to find those little sparks of magic that have kept me sane, brought me joy and supported me to breathe through the poo times…

Infrared Glow at the Sweat Lounge

A few weeks ago, I booked in for a 30-minute Solo Pod session at Sweat Lounge - I’d heard it was all the rage (do we say ‘all the rage’ still?) with celebs like Gwyneth, Jennifer Aniston and Lady Gaga for its wellbeing benefits and wondered whether the hype was real. Well, by the time I emerged, I had endorphins popping like I’d had a sea swim, massage, and a nap all in one (thankfully, minus the soggy hair and freezing water). My mind felt so much clearer and I wafted through the rest of the day with a grin and an unexpected spring in my step. It was that good and I’ve told everyone I meet about how they just have to get on board with infrared therapy!

Sweat Lounge was founded by the lovely Allison Huff, a fellow peri-menopausal mum who discovered the power of infrared therapy while recovering from chronic pain, stress, and exhaustion in the US. It helped her feel so good again that she brought the concept back to the UK - setting up a space to help others experience the same benefits. She told me that, after discovering infrared, her health improved so dramatically she was inspired to lose four stone.

If hot sweats are the bane of your life, don’t let that put you off - infrared therapy can be brilliant for us menopausal midlifers. A few of the glow-giving benefits include:

• Relief from joint and muscle pain
• Reduction in hot flushes
• Improved mood and sharper mental clarity
• Deep detoxing (deeper than regular saunas)
• Boosted skin health and collagen production
• Better sleep and a sense of deep relaxation

Just as I was floating out the door, I bumped into a friend who said she swears by her Sweat Lounge membership for post-tennis muscle recovery - and with my new love for Padel - that’s great to know!

At £35 for a single Solo Pod session, it’s not just effective - it’s a pretty accessible treat and a great gift idea too.

Birdsong - My New Morning Meditation Anchor

Photo by Jen P. on Unsplash

Here’s what I’ve added to my midlife morning routine lately: I’ve been waking up and letting the gorgeous birdsong guide me into the day. Literally, just five minutes, sitting in bed or by the window with eyes closed, breathing deeply and tuning in to that natural chorus.

It turns out, there's actual science behind this - studies show that birdsong reduces stress and promotes feelings of calm and wellbeing. I now use it as an anchor for a short morning meditation, and it’s become a gentle, grounding way to start the day - and it’s free! Give it a go tomorrow and see how easy it is to shift your energy.

Sitting in the Messy Middle

This quote by best-selling author, leadership expert, and motivational speaker, Robin Sharma landed with me this week:

“Everything is hard at the beginning, messy in the middle, and glorious at the end.”

It really made me think because whenever there’s something new I’d like to try - I’m a fiend at putting it off - not because I don’t want to do it, but because the start feels too hard. And I also think this happens as many of us lose a bit of confidence as we get older.

We often avoid starting new things - whether it’s a fitness routine, a creative project, a career pivot - because we know the beginning will be uncomfortable, and the messy middle might feel even worse. But, we need to remember that the mess is where the good stuff brews and where growth, reinvention, and self-belief start to take shape.

So let’s trust that Robin Sharma quote and simply begin even if it’s bad, awkward and imperfect. I’m holding onto the hope that the glorious part is coming, so I’m also taking note of my last post and going for the 5-Minute Push!

Talking Tweakments – HELLO! Second Act Column

I love to write - and annoy myself that I don’t do it more often! Especially when I write a feature that I’m really invested in - like my latest piece in HELLO! Second Act.

Here’s a little excerpt:

“…Because when women choose to share what's worked for them, it feels like they're not just revealing secrets - they're offering support. They're helping the rest of us make more informed, empowered choices about ageing well”

You can read the rest of It's breaking midlife girl code to be coy about tweakments here.

Mean Girls, Disco Beats & Glorious Chaos is Just What I Needed!

Sometimes, feeling incredible comes not from rituals or routines - but from a good old cheesy night out with the people you love most.

A couple of weeks ago, my daughters and I went to see Mean Girls in the West End. You already know that I’m going to say the show was brilliant. It was sparkly, silly, full of big laughs and girl power - but the highlight for me?

The tuk tuk ride getting to the theatre!

We’d gone for a pre-theatre drink, mistakenly thinking the show was at a different venue. Realising we were about to miss curtain-up, my eldest swung into action, hailing a bright pink, fluffy tuk tuk. The Music was blaring, lights were flashing, and we sped through the streets of Soho, singing along to disco classics like something out of a movie. It was completely ridiculous and joyful and utterly perfect.

I went to bed with a huge smile on my face and it still makes me giggle and grin just thinking about it even now!

Here’s wishing you lots of ‘tuk tuk’ moments in your life!