When you are a caregiver, self-care and self-love are vitally important.
When mentally, emotionally, and physically unhealthy and unhappy, life becomes unmanageable.
Being depleted, we run on empty and have little, if not nothing, to give to those relying on our care.
For this reason, my best friends from childhood and I have a girls day out (ideally with an overnight stay) every year – minus our other halves and children.
Here are my tried and tested recommendations worth a try or visiting again next time you are in London:
Eat well
China Town – nestled between Leicester Square and Piccadilly Circus tube station is a culinary delight.
It is here that I enjoy all the savoury and sweet treats on offer and where I discovered London’s first Filipino Ice Cream Parlour, Mamasons!
My must try: this hot ice cream sandwich made with purple yam ice cream in a toasted Pandesal (milk bun).
For something different, check out their full menu!
Other dessert places I love, which serve baked goods, as well as traditional hot and cold tofu desserts, include all the Chinese dessert shops, cafes, and bakeries along Gerrard Street.
My favourites for lunch and dinner are Haidilao hotpot restaurant, Cafe TPT, Burger & Lobster, and Pho.
As for afternoon tea, I adore the Charlotte Street Hotel, and breakie at The Breakfast Club (London Bridge) if you’re not eating at your hotel.
Feel well
Talking about the Breakfast Club, you must check out Call Me Mr Lucky if you are up all night ’til the sun!
After a night of dancing, there’s nothing better than a foot and back massage. My best was at Rupert Jade Thai Massage Spa Soho, with extremely reasonable prices, too!
For a spot of retail therapy, I pop into COS, Muji, Zara, Boots, Covent Garden, and Regent Street.
To get a head and hair pamper, I visit Hayato London – the best head massage givers in town!
For an overnight stay, I thoroughly enjoyed The May Fair, A Radisson Collection Hotel, and the Sanderson Hotel.
If you fancy something further afield, check out the Yoga Fit retreat in Ibiza! Next, I would love to try their retreat in Greece.
Great theatre shows include Kinky Boots and Magic Mike – next on the list is Mama Mia – The Party!
Think well
Nothing releases stress and happy hormones like a girly heart-to-heart and tears of joy laughing from all our past experiences and childhood memories.
My besties and I spend hours recalling our youth, from experimenting with over plucked eyebrows to using too much Sun In, to our underage clubbing days and our first high-school crushes.
Connecting with friends and family, chatting, and laughing while igniting all senses and enjoying everything London offers is cathartic.
It’s the perfect way to rest, restore, and rejuvenate from being a Mum and caregiver.
For more on how to look after ourselves as caregivers, head on over to this blog.
