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How to make the most of a short holiday

Image by nile from Pixabay

When your holiday only lasts for a long weekend, or a few short days, it can seem like there isn’t enough time to get much done. That is not true. This is how to make the most of a short holiday.

  • Be prepared 
  • Unplug
  • Consider your hotel location
  • Prioritize 
  • Hire a guide
  • Try something new
  • Wake up early
  • Live like a local
  •  Be aware of time zones 
  • Give yourself time to relax

Be prepared

The key to any successful holiday is being prepared, but when you know you have a limited amount of time the need to prepare is heightened. To adequately prepare for your holiday, you first need to establish what type of holiday you want. Do you simply want to relax by the pool or on the beach? Or are you looking for more of an adventure, exploring a new city or town? After you’ve established the holiday you want, you can start researching what is available for you to do- guided tours, activities, restaurants in the local area, etc. Once you’ve done your research, set a loose itinerary for your holiday. You don’t want to put yourself under pressure by scheduling in too much in a small amount of time, but creating a loose itinerary as a guide will ensure that you see and experience all of your bucket-list things. 

Image by Marco Verch Professional Photographer and Speaker

Unplug

Holidays are all about escaping from your everyday reality. When on a short holiday, it’s best to soak up every moment of not being in your everyday surroundings. The best way to do this is to completely unplug. Keep your phone available and fully-charged just in case of an emergency, but don’t constantly be checking it. Leave the technology behind, and embrace the feeling of being outside of your normal routine. Before you know it, you’ll be back at work, so you need to enjoy your well-deserved time-off whilst you can. 

Consider your hotel location

Short holidays mean less time to explore, however that doesn’t mean that you need to miss out on the excitement of exploring a new place. When booking your hotel, look at what is in the immediate surrounding area and what is close by. Choose hotels close to the city or beach, depending on your holiday preference. Make sure that there are good transport links if you want to go on a day-trip further afield. Check the local bars and restaurants in the area. Make sure that you pick a hotel that will allow you to do everything you want to do in the time frame you have. 

Prioritise 

If you like adventurous holidays then there is probably a long list of things that you would like to achieve whilst away. That being said, on short holiday’s you won’t have the time to experience everything. Make a bucket-list of the top 5 or 10 things you want to see and/or do whilst your on holiday and prioritise your top 3. Doing this will ensure that, even though you may not see everything you want to see on your holiday, you will at least see the most important things you wanted to. 

Hire a guide

The best way to see a location in a short period of time is by taking a guided tour. Guided tours will take you around a city or a certain area of a country, and explain the history and cultural significance of it. Whether it’s an open-top bus tour or a walking tour, investing in a guide is a great way to see the highlights of a place in a short amount of time. 

Image by Andrew Bowden

Try something new

Part of the thrill of going on holiday is experiencing something new. Whether that is a new country, a new destination, or even a new way of living. Whilst on your short holiday, push yourself to try a new experience. It could be anything from a new cuisine, to just talking to a new person. Being on holiday is the perfect opportunity to explore new experiences you would never try in your everyday life, no matter how long your holiday is. 

Image by Engin Akyurt from Pixabay

Wake up early

If you have a long list of experiences that you want to try whilst on your short holiday, it’s best to wake up early. Some people enjoy relaxing and not having to set an alarm whilst on holiday, however, if you know that there’s a lot you want to achieve, it’s best to start your day early. Don’t force yourself to wake up early every day though, remember that you are also on holiday to relax. 

An alarm clock showing the time set at nine o’clock in the morning (09:00 / 9AM)

Live like a local 

If you’re holidaying in a country you have never explored before it can be exciting to spend your time living like a local. Before heading on your holiday, do some research into bars, restaurants, and general places where locals will go. When on your holiday, engage a local in general conversation and show a willingness to get to know about their culture and way of life. You will get a much more authentic experience out of a country if you spend, even a day, living like a local. 

Image by
Marco Verch Professional Photographer and Speaker

Be aware of time zones 

When travelling outside of your home country it’s best to remember if there is a time difference. Depending on where you are travelling to and from in the world could depend on whether you get an extra few hours on holiday or not. If you are aware of the time zones you are travelling to and from prior to your trip, you can easily plan around it. 

Image by Janiere Fernandez from Pexels

Give yourself time to relax

The most important thing to remember when going on holiday, no matter its length, is to relax. You are going on holiday to escape your normal life, have a new experience, and unwind. Remember to enjoy your time off and not stress yourself out if you don’t see or do everything you wanted to. 

Don’t worry about the post-holiday washing, leave it to us to pick-up, dry clean, iron, and re-deliver to you. You can even pre-book your laundry pick-up up to two weeks in advance. Simply head to the Laundryheap website or download the free Laundryheap app. 


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How to host a festival at home

Image by Henry Burrows

With festival season being, close to, completely cancelled because of COVID19, it’s time to bring the festival fun to you. Grab your tents, glitter, and music, because this is how you can host a festival at home. 

  • Give your festival a name
  • Make access passes
  • Create a map
  • Pick your line-up
  • Get your house festival-ready
  • Set activities 
  • Get yourself festival-ready
  • Dine al-fresco
  • Stick with camping 
  • Document the journey

Give your festival a name

Begin planning your stay-at-home festival by naming it. Don’t stress yourself out too much about creating a funny or witty name, something simple will do just fine. Naming your festival will simply put a name to the event and make it more official.

Make access passes 

It’s always nice to have memorabilia from a festival. Despite your festival taking place in your own home, and with limited guests due to COVID rules, making access passes is a fun way to commemorate the event. Make your passes by either drawing or create a simple graphic. Print your graphic on plain paper or card and fold it into a small rectangle. If you have access to a laminator, laminate the pass to avoid it becoming damaged by spilled drinks or general wear and tear. Finally, attach your passes to some string, or a lanyard if you have one, and hand them out to your festival-goers. Don’t forget to remind them that without their passes they can’t access the festival, so they must be worn at all times. 

Image by goblinbox_(queen_of_ad_hoc_bento)

Create a map

It may seem silly to create a map for your festival when it’s being hosted in your own home, but it’s part of the festival experience. Draw a simple layout of your house and pinpoint the areas where events will take place. You could even create a breakdown of which bands you will be playing at certain points of the day, just like in a real festival program. Similarly to the access passes, creating a map will provide your festival-goers with a small token from the festival that they can keep. 

Pick your line-up

You can’t have a festival without music. Unfortunately, you can’t have any live performances, unless someone in your social bubble is a musician. Luckily, there are a few music streaming options that will provide all the tunes your festival needs.

Firstly, many festivals that have been cancelled due to COVID have been showing performances from past acts. For example, Radio 1’s Big Weekend is available to watch on IPlayer. You could create your perfect festival line-up by going through performances from festivals past and playing those for your guests.

Alternatively, you could create your own playlists using a streaming service. This way it is completely up to you which songs to include in your set. Regardless of your decision, make sure that you have a headline act that is worth sticking around for. 

Image by Karen Woodham from Pexels

Get your house festival-ready 

You can’t host a festival without getting your house adequately festival-ready. Make a stage for your virtual bands to perform on by using a chair or table to prop a laptop on. Pitch a tent in your garden and allocate camping space for those staying at the festival. Use fairy lights to illuminate your food court and stage area. Create an outdoor seating area using throw pillows and blankets. Finally, finish off creating the festival vibe by using colourful streamers and banners to decorate the area. You want to create a new experience for your festival-goers, so get creative with your decorations. 

Set activities

When visiting a festival there are usually activities that can be done between seeing performances. These can be anything from face/glitter painting to playing human-sized Jenga. Plan some activities throughout the day that can involve all of your festival-goers. Do some face-painting, play some games and, most importantly, have fun with it. Make sure that your activities are appropriate for all ages so that any children at the festival can join in. 

Get yourself festival-ready

Part of the fun of festivals is dressing up for them. Think flamboyant but comfortable. Shorts, feathers, sequins, tassels, and, of course, a pair of wellies. You want to be prepared for all weather conditions, so it’s best to wear something lightweight for the sun, but also have a waterproof coat on-hand for the rain. The most important thing to remember when getting ready for your festival is… you can NEVER wear too much glitter. 

Image by ChrisPerriman

Dine Al-Fresco

Eating at festivals is all about grabbing something easy to eat at a food truck and dining Al-Fresco. Set up a BBQ and have burgers, hot dogs and other easy-to-eat delicious BBQ foods available for your festival-goers. Create your very own food court and let your guests lounge on throw pillows and blankets whilst they enjoy some, much-needed, festival food before they get back to their raving. The bonus of attending an at-home festival is that you can skip the endless food queues. 

Stick with camping

One of the best parts of going to a festival is camping. The joy of a stay-at-home festival is that you don’t have to camp in a crowded campsite, surrounded by queues of people waiting to use the portaloos in the middle of the night. Upgrade your camping experience by creating a calming campsite that your festival guests can enjoy. Pitch some tents and make them comfortable and cosy. Leave out plenty of sleeping bags, pillows, and blankets for your guests to snuggle up in, and light your tents with a multitude of fairy lights. You want to give your festival-goers a relaxing area to wind-down after a day of partying to their favourite artists. 

Image by Matheus Bertelli from Pexels

Document the journey 

Finally, make sure that you document your festival journey. Your festival is bound to be a lot of fun for yourself and your guests, so make sure that you capture plenty of photos and videos to remind you of what you created. You could even go live on Facebook and Instagram and share parts of your festival experience with your followers. 

Image by Daria Shevtsova from Pexels

The joy of a stay-at-home festival is that there is less chance of your clothes getting covered in mud from staying in a field all weekend. If you do happen to get muddy during your festival, let us take care of your clothing. Book a Laundryheap hot wash service by heading to the Laundryheap website or by downloading the free Laundryheap app. 


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Summer skincare tips

It’s important to look after your skin throughout the year, but during the summer there are many added skin-damaging risks to be aware of. Try these 10 summer skincare tips that will protect your skin and leave you care free to have fun in the sun. 

  • Lighten your skincare
  • Exfoliate
  • Try a combination moisturiser 
  • Cut down on showers
  • Stay hydrated 
  • SPF is your best friend 
  • Don’t forget your lips 
  • Your hands need protecting 
  • Stay in the shade 
  • Treat burns quickly

Lighten your skincare 

The heat and humidity that comes with the summer season means that your usual skincare products could cause more harm than good. If you regularly use oil-based cleansers and heavy creams in your skincare routine, you could run the risk of trapping sweat and making skin oily, leading to acne breakouts. To avoid this, try a foaming cleanser. Foaming cleansers are lighter on the skin, and will still remove excess oil from the face, leaving your skin looking refreshed and acne-free. 


Photo by Marco Verch Professional P

Exfoliate 

Exfoliating removes dead skin cells and helps hydrate your skin. It’s important to exfoliate year-round, however, in the summer months, exfoliating should occur more frequently because your skin needs to be kept as clear of excess sweat as possible to avoid the risk of acne breakouts. Once a week, use a high-quality exfoliator to strip away dead skin cells and remove any sweat that has been deep-rooted into the skin. This will leave your face looking fresh and feeling clean. 

Try a combination moisturiser 

It is incredibly important to remember to moisturise during the summer. Despite the fact that you may find yourself sweating more during the summer months, that is not a reason to stop providing your skin with hydration. Try using a light-weight combination moisturiser that has an SPF of 30 or more. This will both protect your skin from becoming damaged from the sun and be light enough to prevent acne breakouts from oily skin. 

Photo by Shiny Diamond from Pexels

Cut down on showers 

In the height of summer, you may find yourself having 2 showers a day in an attempt to cool yourself down. Despite the cooling effects of a shower, over showering causes dehydrated skin, which can lead to skin inflammation and even summer eczema. If you do find yourself needing to shower more often, keep them to a maximum length of 5 minutes and never shower in hot water. Additionally, when you get out of the shower, moisturise your skin to re-hydrate it. 

Stay hydrated

It’s important to stay hydrated throughout the year, but in summer your skin can become especially dry due to increased exposure to sunlight. Drinking water will keep your skin, and your body, hydrated, whilst aiding in the recovery of damaged skin cells. Aim to drink a minimum of 8 glasses of water every day to stay proficiently hydrated. 

Photo by Daria Shevtsova from Pexels

SPF is your best friend

If you know that you will be out in the sun make sure that you have plenty of sun cream available. Your sun cream needs to be amply applied to every bit of skin that is exposed to the sun, including ears, toes, and nose. Don’t forget that the SPF of your sun cream dictates how often it needs to be applied, for example, SPF 30 needs to be applied every 30 minutes. The sun can cause lasting damage to your skin, so make sure that you take sun cream with you EVERYWHERE during the summer season. 

Don’t forget your lips

Dry lips can occur during any season, however, the heat of summer can be especially cruel to your lips. If you don’t stay appropriately hydrated during the summer your lips can become dry, cracked, and even sunburnt. To protect your lips, invest in a rich lip balm with an SPF of 15 plus. This will ensure that your lips remain hydrated and protected from the sun. 

Your hands need protecting

It may sound strange, but you need to protect your hands during the summer. The skin on your hands is particularly thin, so if they are exposed to the sun without any protection they will be easily burnt. Find a hand cream that contains an SPF of 30 plus. This will leave your hands silky smooth and prevent them from becoming burnt. 

Photo by Shiny Diamond from Pexels

Stay in the shade 

When it comes to summer it can be tempting to run straight into the sun and stay there until it goes away. Doing so can lead to lasting skin damage that can be fatal. The best way to protect your skin from the sun is to stay in the shade as much as possible. If you are going to be lying out in the sun, sit under an umbrella so only minimum parts of your skin are directly exposed to the sun. Invest in a wide-brimmed sunhat and sunglasses with high UV protection, and don’t forget to update your sun cream depending on it’s SPF. If you are looking to get a natural tan during the summer, don’t forget to take regular sun breaks and sit in complete shade for 15 minutes. This will prevent your skin from overheating and limit the potential of your skin burning. 

Treat burns quickly 

If you do get sunburnt it is integral that you treat your burn as quickly as possible. As soon as you realise that you are burnt immediately remove yourself from the sun and apply a layer of aloe vera to the burnt area. Aloe vera is an anti-inflammatory and will help soothe the burn. For the duration of your sunburn, avoid going into direct sunlight, stay hydrated and continuously layer on aloe vera, making sure that you are only applying a thin layer to prevent suffocating the skin. 

Image by Rosina-Sch from Pixabay

Enjoy the summer sun without having to worry about laundry. Book your dry cleaning slot by visiting the Laundryheap website or by downloading the free Laundryheap app. Now available in Singapore.  


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Hay fever season tips

Hay fever season is in full force. Usually in it’s peak from mid-March to September, hay fever is an allergic reaction to pollen that can affect your eyes, nose, mouth, and throat. Despite the fact that there is no cure for hay fever, here are some top tips on how to alleviate your symptoms. 

  • Buy anti-allergy bedding 
  • Wash your bedding often 
  • Dry your bedding inside 
  • Shut your doors and windows
  • Keep pets out of your bedroom 
  • Drink plenty of water 
  • Shower before bed

Buy anti-allergen bedding 

If you suffer from hay fever it’s best to invest in anti-allergen bedding. Anti-allergen bedding can work in two ways depending on what type of bedding you buy. Firstly, it can work to trap dust and pollen within your bedding so that it can’t be dispersed and irritate your allergens. Alternatively, natural materials repel dust and pollen so that they can’t become trapped in your bedding. If you have found yourself in the past having a particularly difficult time sleeping due to hay fever symptoms, anti-allergen bedding is the first step to having a peaceful night’s sleep. 

Photo by Andrea Piacquadio from Pexels

Wash your bedding often 

Bedding should be washed every 1-2 weeks, but if you suffer from hay fever you must make sure to wash it every week. It is very easy for pollen and dust to become trapped in your bedding and, if not washed every week, it can build up. This could cause more severe hay fever symptoms and a loss of sleep. For the best results, wash your bedding at 60 degrees and wait until it is completely dry to put back on your bed. 

Image by Thanks for your Like • donations welcome from Pixabay

Dry your bedding inside 

It is encouraged to dry your laundry outside whenever possible, however, if you have hay fever NEVER dry your bedding outside. It is incredibly easy for pollen to stick to your laundry, so drying your bedding outside will lead to an increase of pollen in your bedding. This can lead to increased hay fever symptoms and loss of sleep. To avoid this, dry your bedding either using a tumble dryer or by hanging over a drying rack.

Shut your doors and windows

During the summer it’s always nice to open your windows and let the fresh air circulate your home. If you are a hay fever sufferer this could lead to more harm than good. Pollen showers can happen at any time, however, the pollen count is always the highest first thing in the morning, and as the temperature begins to drop at night. If your windows are open during these times it can lead to a rush of pollen entering your home and irritating your hay fever symptoms. 

Keep pets out of your bedroom

If you have pets try and avoid having them in your bedroom. Pets, such as dogs and cats, carry pollen in their fur from being outside and rolling around in the grass. If you allow your pet into your bedroom, and specifically onto your bed, they can transfer pollen onto your bedding, leaving you to suffer with hay fever symptoms throughout the night. To avoid this, take every precaution to keep your room clear of pollen, including keeping your pets out. 

Image by huoadg5888 from Pixabay

Drink plenty of water 

Congestion and sinus pressure are two common hay fever symptoms. There are a number of ways that you can clear your sinuses, but the easiest is to stay hydrated. Drinking 8 glasses of water every day will keep your body hydrated, clear your sinuses, and reduce the production of histamine in your system. 

Photo by Daria Shevtsova from Pexels

Shower before bed  

It’s important to rid yourself of any pollen residue before getting into bed at night. The easiest way to do so is by having a shower. Spending time outdoors will leave pollen residing on your skin and in your hair so before going to bed its best to thoroughly wash your hair and body to remove all of the pollen. In addition to this, if your hay fever causes you to have blocked sinuses and difficulty breathing, the steam from a shower can help clear any mucus and unblock your sinuses for a clearer night’s sleep. 

Throughout hay fever season make sure that you are consistently washing your bedding and clothing. Book your Laundryheap dry cleaning slot now by visiting the Laundryheap website or by downloading the free Laundryheap app. Now available in Kuwait, NYC and Bahrain. 


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How To Beat The Summer Heat In The Office

If you have an AC in your office, you’re lucky. For those that rely on fans to keep cool in the office during the summer, you know the struggle to concentrate at work is real. If the heat is too much to bear and you’re losing concentration as well as feeling exhausted, here are a few tips that will help you beat the summer heat in the office.

How To Beat The Summer Heat In The Office

  • Dress accordingly

Wear clothes that are appropriate for the weather that are thin and breathable. Avoid wearing layers and clothing with thick material. Choose breathable and light coloured clothing. If you have to wear a full suit, wear a short-sleeved button-down shirt if you can.

  • Stay hydrated

Remember to drink plenty of water throughout the day. Prepare some ice-cold water bottles by putting them in the freezer overnight or keep your water bottle in the fridge if your office has one.

  • Go easy on caffeine

Almost everyone needs their coffee or tea to kick start their morning and several more cups to keep them fuelled during the day. Caffeine in coffee and tea increases the heart rate and blood flow, causing your body temperature to rise. In warmer weather, it’s best to drink fewer of these caffeinated drinks to ensure that your body temperature doesn’t rise too much.

  • Eat small meals

When you eat heavy meals, your metabolism has to work hard to digest it. As a result, it increases your body temperature and can leave you feeling sluggish. It’s better to eat light meals frequently so that you don’t feel overheated. Consider eating leafy vegetables, fresh fruit and nuts.

  • Bring a portable fan

It doesn’t matter if you have a fan in the office already, get yourself a hand-held electric fan. You’ll be able to put the fan as close to your face as you want and you can take it around with you everywhere.

  • Cooling facial sprays

Invest in a cooling facial spray to get a bit of cold water on your face every so often during the day. Works wells for when you’re travelling to and from the office too. Alternatively you can take frequent trips to the bathroom and sprinkle some cold water on your face and neck.

  • Rinse your wrist with cold water

Let your body temperature cool down by running cold water on your wrists to clear out heat from your system and help lower your body temperature.

These tips are to help you keep cool during your day, but it won’t completely stop you from sweating. If you find yourself going through twice as many clothes this summer resulting in a mountainous laundry pile, let Laundryheap take your laundry troubles away.


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5 Tips For Exercising Outdoors In The Summer

Exercising outdoors in the summer is a great chance to get some fresh air and gives you a change of scenery from indoor workouts. Whether you’re jogging in a park, doing yoga or a cross fit work out in your back garden, here are some tips for exercising in the summer heat.

5 Tips For Exercising Outdoors In The Summer

  • Avoid the hottest part of the day

If you don’t have to follow a strict workout plan that requires you to work out midday, the best time to exercise is during the cooler parts of the day which is any time before 10 am and after 3 pm. Generally, morning exercises are the best as it keeps you fuelled for the rest of the day. 

  • Wear cool clothing

Wear synthetic workout clothes that are lightweight and breathable. Choose moisture-wicking clothing as its sweat absorbing properties can keep you dry and cool. Opt for light coloured clothing as it will be able to reflect the heat instead of absorbing it.

  • Wear UV protection

It’s essential to protect your skin from the harsh UV rays of the sun to avoid sunburn as well as other skin related problems. Always wear waterproof sunscreen as this lasts longer on your skin and wear a hat! If possible, stay in a shaded area.

  • Stay hydrated

Keep your body well hydrated by drinking a few glasses of water before your workout. Stay hydrated during your workout by drinking water every 15 mins or so, and when you’ve finished working out, drink more water!

  • Take it easy

The humidity and heat can wear you out more quickly and limit the workouts your body is usually capable of doing. It’s better to keep exercise time short to get your body used to the heat. Try to divide your workout and do, for example, 30 mins in the morning and 30 mins in the evening.

Due to the summer heat, you will sweat excessively and naturally go through twice as many clothes whether you’re exercising or not. If your laundry pile becomes too much for you to handle, let Laundryheap give you a helping hand so you can focus on your workouts.


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How To Keep Yourself Cool During Summer in Dubai

Dubai in the summer is famous for its unbearable scorching heat, often reaching above 40°C (104°F). Fortunately, many, if not all places in Dubai are equipped with air-conditioning and indoor activities to help keep cool during the summer. There are also several things you can do for yourself to help you beat the heat.

Whether you’re an expat new to Dubai, a tourist or a local, here are some tips to keep yourself cool during the summer in Dubai.

  • Wear the right clothing

Stick to lightweight, loose fitted clothing for maximum protection from the sun. Avoid wearing dark colours, especially black, as these tend to absorb the heat quickly. Wear light colours instead to keep yourself cool and do wear a hat.

If you’re a tourist who is culturally unaware of what clothes are appropriate to wear in Dubai, check out our post- Tourist Advice: What To Wear In Dubai.

  • Start your day early

The heat is at it’s the highest temperature from 10 am, so it’s best to start your day as early as 7 am. Whether you need to run errands or want to do an activity, you’ll be able to get things done without having to worry about being in the unbearable heat.

  • Stay Hydrated

An obvious way to keep cool is to remain hydrated! Make sure to drink water frequently and carry around bottled water with you. The best way to drink water in such scorching heat is to consume small quantities at regular intervals rather than infrequent gulps.

  • Eat lighter meals

Avoid indulging in heavy meals and snacks such as fried and fast food, as this requires more energy to digest thus making you feel quickly drained of energy. Instead, eat light and healthy meals at frequent intervals to keep you refreshed throughout the day. 

  • Stay in air-conditioned places

All buildings and transportation in Dubai are fully air-conditioned, so staying anywhere other than outside will definitely keep you cool. Take advantage of the mall, a restaurant, museum or gallery.

Although it might seem unlikely, there are many activities to do in the summer in Dubai that will keep you cool, such as going to water parks, swimming in pools and indoor ice skating.

If you want to go to the beach, go before 10 am or in the early evening. This way you’ll avoid the burning heat of the sun and the sea.

It can be hard to not perspire at all, unless you’re always in a cool, air-conditioned environment. If you need to freshen up your clothes, you can book a laundry collection with Laundryheap and expect to have your clothes clean and delivered to you within 24 hours.