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Published On: Thu, Jan 4th, 2018

Four fun things to try out in 2018

With the new year, comes the traditional new year resolutions. So, what have you promised to do differently in the upcoming 12 months? Eat differently? Do more exercise? Change your career? Or maybe… inject more fun into your life? To get more social, to take up some new activities.

photo/ Alexandr Pirogov via pixabay

Here are some ideas for things to try out in 2018!

Hit the slopes

Ever tried skiing or snowboarding? If not, then why not hit the slopes this winter, ringing in 2018 in style? There are plenty of places at home and abroad, where you can find plenty of the white stuff for the next few months.

It’s not a new sport you should throw yourself into without any preparation though. To pick a place to go to get to grips with the skis or snowboard, then why not ask your friends or family – if they have already had a go themselves. They may well have some top tips on best resorts and locations to find your feet. Different areas cater for different levels of expertise, from beginner to advanced. So, best to do your homework – and find a location that’s comfortable and fun for you, and anyone else in your party.

As well as choosing the right place, you also need to think about clothing and equipment. You need to be wearing the right clothing for the conditions. Most importantly, you need to stay warm, dry and safe. You also need to think about protecting your eyes and your skin, with the snow reflecting the sun’s powerful rays.

Once you’ve picked somewhere to go, and you’ve got yourself the right gear to wear – although you could always hire this at your destination – you need to be thinking about booking in some professional lessons on the slopes.

Check out what is available locally, it may be cheaper to book in advance. But make sure you go with a professional, trusted school or trainer – with all the necessary requirements in place. Lessons can really help you to learn the basics, when you are stepping out onto the snow for the first time.

Can you escape?

Do you love solving clues and puzzles? Why not try out the phenomenon of an escape room in 2018? It’s a great way to bond with work colleagues, or to spend time with family or friends.

You basically get locked into a room, and then you must try and crack the mysteries and puzzles to get out again. There are venues all over now, including the Cincinnati Escape Room. Check out online where you can find one nearest to you.

Escape rooms can be lots of fun. But you need to work together and have a strategy to succeed – and to get the most enjoyment out of it!

When you go into a room, you need to hunt around – lift up everything, look behind everything, don’t leave any stone unturned. Don’t be afraid of moving stuff, unless you have been told not to of course!

As with most things in life, it’s all about teamwork. Make sure everyone is involved in your mission to escape. So, when a clue is found, always check that everyone has heard it. And, then give everyone a chance to shout or their ideas or possible answers. There’s no point in having one or two dominant members of the group, with the others remaining silent. Everyone should come together, and then hopefully you will find the answers you need!

If you are a large group and you have more than one puzzle to solve in an escape room, you can divide up into sub-groups, to get solving more quickly. You may want to even think about having one person standing back and monitoring, in a kind of supervisory role, to pick up on anything from the ‘outside’ – it could help make the difference.

photo/ Steve Buissinne

Zumba!

If one of your resolutions is to lose weight or to improve your general health, then when not spice up your exercise routine with some Zumba classes? The craze has gone global. The whole ethos behind it is to have fun. And don’t be worried about learning all the steps and keeping in time – you should be able to pick up it fairly easily. Whether that’s down your local gym in a professional group session, or in your spare room at home with a DVD or online download.

The four basic steps which are used in classes are reggaetón, cumbia, merengue and salsa. Picking up and learning these steps will help you get your feet in the right place and move much faster. So, mastering the basics is really important.

The Zumba routines, whether you’re in a class or at home, are not complicated. As with most fitness routines, it’s a case of following the leader – the instructor. You need to be mirroring what they do, following the movements and patterns and hopefully keeping up with them!

Don’t be afraid to get all your energy flowing. Zumba can be fast-paced, it’s supposed to be fun, so let it all out. When following your instructor, try to follow their energy. This will help you get the most out of your routine, while providing a great workout – which can help you reach any health goals you have set for 2018!

Learn a new craft

If skiing, Zumba and escape rooms are sound a bit much for you, then there are lots of other slower-paced activities you can try your hand at in 2018. Why not take up a new craft? There are many classes on offer, at local colleges and community centres, where you can enjoy everything from painting to cookery.

Painting and drawing classes can be a great way to put your creative skills to use on paper or canvas and, for many, offer a chance to reflect on life – to take some time out of the fast lane. Classes for all levels are available, and they can be a great way to meet new people too.

With more and more cookery programmes on TV, there’s a real hunger to pick up new skills in the kitchen. Check out what kind of culinary classes are available near where you live. Or you could check what’s on offer online – masterclass videos, podcasts, blogs and so on. With so many different ingredients available, and lots of ideas out there, is it time to spread your foodie wings in 2018?

Author: Carol Trehearn

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