Alt.Cardiff Magazine: The Wellness Issue

alt.Cardiff January 2024 | Issue one

Bye bye booze Change in Welsh drinking culture Photographer praises Wales’ creative community

Writing for wellness & diversity

Strengthen your sleep at Cardiff’s Mountain Yoga

alt.Cardiff | NEWS SOCIAL

Mountain yoga studio hosts sleep retreat Set back in the mountains of Taff’s Well Cardiff, this forest-view yoga studio knows that the first pillar of health is sleep

ew research shows consistent lack of sleep is related to depressive symptoms. A yoga studio in Taff’s Well’s mountains is hosting a winter sleep retreat to tackle poor sleep.

Research by University College London shows sleeping less than five hours a night makes people 2.5 times more likely to experience poor mental health.

The four-hour sleep masterclass at Mountain Yoga, taking place on 2 December at a cost of £59, dives into sleep science. Backed by health

knowledge gained from a military sunlight, movement, and past, Chris Flynn, co-owner of limited screentime. He teaches Mountain Yoga alongside Craig participants how to manage these McCormack and Josh Odell, said: variables to set their circadian “We know that the first pillar of rhythm (the body’s internal clock health is sleep,” which many people naturally aligned with the day and are not getting enough of. Problems night cycle). such as reduced concentration and During the day, we produce mental clarity and low motivation up-regulating hormones including arise with a lack of quality sleep, serotonin, endorphins and which can be detrimental to dopamine. At night, we produce workplace productivity. melatonin in response to darkness.

Flynn explains the key to Mountain Yoga’s retreat focusses an easy night’s rest is “setting on establishing healthy hormonal up during the day” with “a sleep patterns to aid sleep routine. hygiene checklist” comprising words: Eve Davies

Apprentices needed

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PUBLIC

The construction industry key to unlocking the potential must recruit 244,000 of the construction industry. apprentices to plug skills gap Even though jobs in There is a skills shortage in construction trades are often Welsh construction trades, thought to be low-paid, UK says a report by trade workers can earn between directory Checkatrade. £26,406 and £77,500 per year.

As one third of the current An entry-level construction workforce are over 50, worker in Wales could earn there are concerns for what £26,406, while the average happens when they reach salary for graduates from retirement. The index also Welsh universities is £24,000. shows young people will be

Writing for wellbeing WORK

A local writer is building stories. Edmonds says a creative writing course this is key to inclusion across diverse groups. to improve diversity, “Writing for Joy has an accessibility, and ethos at its heart to wellbeing in the Welsh make creative writing as cultural sector accessible as possible.

Writer and poet Taylor I want to combat the Edmonds from Barry is building Writing for Joy, barriers that people face a course designed to in expressing themselves use creative writing to creatively,” she said. improve wellbeing.

Funding for Edmond’s The course is available project comes from the to individuals and community groups either Arts Council of Wales’ Creative Steps fund, online or in-person.

Edmonds hopes to which supports creatives show people how they who are struggling to can live better through access funding. creativity and help underrepresented people craft a creative voice.

She believes in the power of writing to help self-expression, allowing people to share their

Images: Eve Davies, Alice Forde

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Mountain Yoga’s studio in Taff’s Well set up for their sleep retreat

alt.Cardiff | INTERVIEW

Forde praises the close-knit creative community in Cardiff

On the right path

Forde’s most recent project, Touch Me, got her shortlisted in the fashion category of the British Photography here is an assumption that Awards and is currently displayed creatives must move to ‘the big in Ffotogallery’s Ffocws exhibition smoke’, aka London, to build a on Fanny Street, Cathays. The shift successful career. But Alice Forde in people’s feelings about touch moved the other way. After growing during the pandemic inspired up in Surrey, Forde was drawn to this project. Explaining the Cardiff’s creative scene and came to thought process behind her work, study BA Photography at University Forde said: “I like to push the of South Wales. Now shortlisted for a boundaries and make people think British photography award, she is on a of my images as a question, not a promising path. statement.”

From working Forde says the “You meet such a variety of in a tearoom on close-knit creative a children’s farm people who are willing to let you community in Cardiff to volunteering is one of the reasons pick their brains” at fashion shows she loves what she and shooting the official merchandise does. She says there’s “so much for TAFWYL festival, an annual Welshopportunity” within a smaller pool in language festival that takes place in Wales, where creative pursuits are Cardiff, the 21-year-old photographer boosting the economy, according to has put the work in. Her day job is at the Welsh Government.

Express Imaging, where she works with “Creatives genuinely analogue photography, which involves a want to help each other,” roll of film being loaded into the camera.

Forde smiles. “So many Forde’s love of photography stems conversations start, and from photographing people and not you meet such a variety of wanting to forget special memories. She people who are willing to said: “I want to capture my life and the let you pick their brains or people around me.” model for you.”

Alice moved from London to Cardiff to enter the creative industry

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Alice Forde’s Touch Me project

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words: Eve Davies

Last orders Wales is renowned for its drinking culture. Now authorities and organisations in Cardiff are taking action to form a better relationship with booze

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Image: Eve Davies | Illustration: Adobe Illustrator Generative AI

unday morning, you roll out of bed just before midday, still in last night’s outfit. You catch your reflection in the mirror. Mascara smudges down your cheek.

Remains of red lipstick cling to the edges of your lips. Your hair is matted. Your head pounds and your mouth is dry.

The night before you went out for one drink with friends to catch up after a busy week. One pint turned into two. Two pints turned into shots and before you knew it you were on the dance floor, followed by a tray of cheesy chips in Chippy Lane at 2am.

You tell yourself next weekend will be a weekend in.

But by the time Friday rolls around again, there’s nothing you want more than a bev with your mates. Sound like a familiar cycle? You’re not alone in Cardiff.

Booze in Wales

Over the past two decades, Cardiff has developed a reputation as a party-hard, boozy city, often appearing high on the UK ‘best night out’ survey lists. A Drink Well survey found Cardiff to be the fourth booziest city in the UK, behind Bristol, London, and Manchester.

The lively, often chaotic, night-time economy been good for business in the Welsh capital over the years. But now health-conscious individuals and concerned local authorities are working to change that reputation with legislation and alternative sober social events.

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alt.Cardiff | FEATURE Public Health Wales recommends drinking no more than 14 units a week spread evenly over three or more days. Yet, according to them, 45% of men and 34% of women report drinking above the recommended guidelines. In comparison, research shows 37% of men and 19% of women in England drink above guidelines.

Most people tend to drink excessively at weekend social situations. Consuming over the guidelines in binge drinking episodes can lead to a host of chronic diseases and mental health issues including high blood pressure, stroke, heart and liver disease, depression and anxiety.

Sober social

Pontcanna’s Love Live Light Healing Club has launched a Friday night social run club, pledging “nature is the new nightclub”. Hosted

by Love Live Light in collaboration with fitness trainer Lauren Green and Drink Hallett’s 0% spirits, this club involves a group 5K run followed by the chance to socialise over a non-alcoholic beverage. The club provides an alcohol-free space for seasoned runners and beginners to meet like-minded people. It is a social opportunity that nurtures the body rather than abuses it.

Image: Jessie Hallett

“It’s empowering not to need ‘Dutch courage’”

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Social media manager Jessie Hallett, who also founded the run club’s sponsor Drink Hallett’s, has been sober for one year after having a troubled relationship with alcohol, which she used to use to escape emotions brought by anxiety and depression.

She said: “I lived a life of burning the candle at both ends for pretty much a decade. I loved partying, socialising, but it’s what came after that was the problem. My hangovers were awful, and the hangxiety was even worse.” Fed up of “waking up in fear”, Hallett decided it was time to cut the booze.

“Every part of my life has improved since going sober,” Hallett said. Her physical and mental health has benefitted, as have her business and relationships. “I’m far more productive and creative, and it feels like I’ve gained an extra two days in the week now I’m not hungover in bed with a face full of Maccies.”

It is well known that the Welsh love a drink.

Does anything say Welsh culture more than a pint of larger and an under-the-influence

rendition of Max Boyce after a rugby game?

Hallett agrees that there is a huge drinking culture in Wales. However, she stresses how empowering it is to realise alcohol doesn’t need to be involved in every social situation. She explains: “If you want to see some friend or go on a date, it is highly likely you go for a drink. But it’s empowering to not need ‘Dutch courage’.”

Authorities catch on

The run club is not alone in its attempt to show people how to socialise without getting slashed.

There are many sober socials happening among Cardiff University societies, including the CU Feminist society. There are also sober online communities like Sober Gals Wales, and Welsh authorities are working to help the capital build a better relationship with binge drinking.

Cardiff Council Cumulative Impact Assessment 2020-23 sets out initiatives the council is supporting to create a safe nightlife scene. Cardiff Community Alcohol Partnership (CAP) is place to improve the population’s relationship with alcohol and reduce the negative effects of consumption.

So next time you’re craving that Friday drink with mates, consider what else you could do that wouldn’t cause a horrific headache the following day. A coffee and walk, cooking a nice meal, or joining a new club like the Friday run club are all great options. Remember, social is not synonymous with alcohol.

Jessie is a social media manager and founder of Drink Hallett’s.

She has been sober for over a year and has seen a huge improvement in her physical and mental health.