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The Beat Goes On - August Edition
August has a habit of feeling different depending on what life looks like for you.
For some, it's holiday season. For others, it's carrying on as normal while everyone else seems to be away. Schools are on their summer break, routines become less predictable, and days can start to blur together a little.
There can be pressure to make August memorable. To squeeze every last bit out of summer before September arrives with fresh schedules and familiar routines.
But sometimes the best parts of August are the simplest ones.
A quiet morning before the house wakes up. A walk somewhere green. A decent meal shared with family or friends. A bit of sunshine on a day that wasn't particularly special.
Not every summer moment needs to become a highlight reel.
Making space to slow down
August can bring a welcome change of pace, but only if we allow ourselves to take it.
Many of us spend most of the year moving from one task to the next. Work commitments, family life, social plans and everything else in between can leave very little time to properly switch off.
If you get the opportunity this month, try making space for things that genuinely help you recharge.
That might be reading a book, getting outdoors, having an early night, or simply sitting somewhere quiet without feeling the need to be productive.
Rest isn't something you have to earn.
Sometimes the most useful thing you can do is pause for a while.
Comparison steals enjoyment
Summer can sometimes bring a surprising amount of comparison.
Social media is full of holidays, days out, festivals and picture-perfect family activities. It can be easy to feel like everyone else is doing more, seeing more or enjoying life more.
The reality is usually very different.
Most people are navigating the same ups and downs as everyone else. Busy days. Tired days. Financial pressures. Unexpected challenges.
Your August doesn't need to look like anyone else's.
Whether you're exploring somewhere new, working shifts, spending time with family or simply getting through the month one day at a time, that is more than enough.
🍴 Lottie's Wellbeing Kitchen
This month's recipe comes from Lottie, Nutrition and Wellbeing Officer at ESS Compass Group, who support policing and government contracts with catering and wellbeing initiatives.
Lottie will be sharing simple, nutritious and affordable recipes throughout the year, alongside practical wellbeing tips to help keep us fuelled and feeling our best.
If you'd like to get in touch with Lottie, whether it's for nutritional advice, wellbeing support, you can contact her at:
Bean & Vegetable Burrito Filling with Brown Rice
Serves: 4
Ingredients
• 1 tbsp oil
• 1 onion, chopped
• 1 red pepper, chopped
• 1 carrot, grated
• 1 tin sweetcorn, drained
• 2 tins mixed beans or black beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 tsp cumin
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• 1 tin chopped tomatoes
• 200g brown rice
You can also swap the beans for chicken or halloumi if preferred.
Method
Cook the rice according to the packet instructions.
Heat the oil in a large pan and cook the onion for around 5 minutes.
Add the pepper, carrot and spices and cook for a further 3-4 minutes.
Stir in the beans, sweetcorn and tomatoes and simmer for 10-15 minutes.
Serve with brown rice or spoon into wholemeal wraps.
Simple, filling and ideal for those evenings when you want something nutritious without spending hours in the kitchen.
Local Reset – Ashridge Estate, Near Berkhamsted HP4 1LT
If you're looking for somewhere to recharge this month, Ashridge Estate is hard to beat.
Stretching across thousands of acres of woodland, meadows and open countryside, it's one of those places that feels miles away from the noise of everyday life, despite being right on our doorstep.
August is a fantastic time to visit. The woodland paths provide welcome shade on warmer days, and there are plenty of gentle walking routes whether you fancy a longer hike or just an hour away from everything.
You don't need an ambitious adventure.
A flask of coffee, a comfortable pair of shoes and some fresh air can be enough to reset your thinking for the week ahead.
Sometimes a change of scenery is all that's needed.
As We Move Through August...
August can feel like a bridge between seasons.
There may still be warm days ahead, but the evenings begin arriving a little earlier. Holidays come to an end, routines gradually return and September starts appearing on the horizon.
So before the month disappears, take a moment to enjoy what's right in front of you.
A walk. A conversation. A quiet coffee. A meal shared with people who matter.
Small moments have a way of becoming the ones we remember most.
Look after yourself this month and check in on those around you too.
Take care,
On the Beat Team 💙
P.S. Sometimes a small change of scenery or a new experience is all it takes to lift your mood. One of our upcoming events could be exactly that...
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