As journeys were restricted we all benefited from a big improvement in air quality and all the mental and physical benefits of getting out and about under our own steam. The government and local councils are keen to keep the momentum going, and even before COVID were planning to invest billions of pounds in cycle-lanes and pedestrianisation.
So – what’s the real benefit of active travelling? Here’s our top 5.
1) Mortality - Research from The University of Edinburgh suggests 150 minutes of walking and cycling each week can reduce mortality by up to 11%, and reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease, some cancers, and Type II diabetes.
2) Mental health - Exercise helps us control the hormones responsible for stress, which can help us stay in better control of our emotions. Stress is believed to account for over 30% of sickness absence in the NHS, costing the service £300m-£400m per year (NHS Employers), boosting our ability to take control of these hormones is critical for our long-term mental wellbeing.
3) Productivity at work - Participants in the “Physical Activity for Health Research Centre” (PAHRC) study who lived shorter distances from work, as well as those who walked or biked to work, reported feeling more calm, relaxed, enthusiastic, and satisfied with their commutes and as a result were more productive on the job than those who had long commutes and those who drove in cars or took the underground, trains or buses.
4) Environmental changes - As well as the substantial health benefits to be gained from building physical activity into our daily lives, there are also important environmental implications. Recent figures for the UK reveal that the transport sector is responsible for 27% of greenhouse gas emissions, the most of any sector. A global lock-down saw superpowers such as China’s air pollution halve and smog-filled cities such as Milan and Italy have set out plans to permanently reduce car usage.
5) Saving Money - The Cycle to Work Scheme offers a tax-efficient route of travelling to the office — even if only part of your commute is on two wheels. If your company has signed up to the scheme, you can buy a bike and related safety equipment worth up to £1,000 via salary sacrifice, which could unlock savings of up to £400 for higher rate taxpayers. The remaining cost is spread over a year in monthly, interest-free payments. With rising public transport costs, you are also saving the cost of rail & bus fares, or fuel and parking if you currently drive to work.
With Sadiq Khan aiming for 80% of all journeys in London to be made by public transport, walking or cycling by 2041, there is certainly impetus behind active travel, and we are beginning to see the impact. Cycling seems to be increasing quickly in London with reports from some bike shops of an 80% increase in sales. Certainly, with fears around maintaining social distance on the Tube, trains and buses, active travelling looks like a very attractive option.
]]>COVID-19 has shocked the tourism world. And as Europe slowly re-opens its borders, a significant number of UK holidaymakers will not be risking heading abroad, with fears such as local lock-downs and invalid travel insurance becoming a reality. However – like in other sectors of the UK economy, such as online retailing – coronavirus appears to have accelerated a trend that was already becoming apparent.
Coronavirus has led to a 150% increase in staycation bookings this summer, as families and friends alike look to spend their precious holiday time in familiar territory.
But research from Barclays Corporate provides an insight as to the changing behaviours of Britain's holidaymakers before the global pandemic and it suggests that this shift in behaviour actually began years ago.
There has been a surge in domestic tourism in recent years and a major shift away from the traditional urge to go abroad, with 31% more holidaymakers pre-COVID planning to spend their holidays in the UK. Barclays’ research shows the trend is being driven by millennials, with 52% stating they want to spend more of their holiday time in Britain. And this has been reflected in a 20% increase in revenues at holiday and leisure businesses across the UK, pre-COVID, since 2017. VisitBritain has called this a ‘turning point in what we had previously identified as a decline’.
But what exactly is driving millennials to dump their passports and head to the seaside?
The main reasons cited are the “positive experiences on domestic travels” they are wanting to repeat, and the convenience of staying within the UK. As the habit of travelling to beauty spots in our own country is consolidated, it is great news for our tourism industry because habits are often formed across generations, meaning the children of millennials will likely follow in the footsteps of their parents.
The increased positive experiences is likely due to the huge investment in our own leisure, hospitality and tourism industries; resulting in over 55% of tourism businesses reporting higher demand. By offering services they have come to expect, such as Wi-Fi and streaming services, as standard in holiday accommodation, UK holiday operators have tapped into the millennial demographic. Hungry for new experiences, they are also keenest to know about local offers and deals from providers in the area, with investment in digital services key to bringing visibility of those to smartphones.
This is wonderful news for the industry, and for employment prospects and the general health and vibrance of communities, with perpetual favourites such as the Lake District, Cornwall, and Devon retaining their pull as the “go-to” destinations. But the North East and Midlands are reported to be the ‘up and coming’ places to staycation at, showing a 67% increase in demand.
In terms of activities and the ‘type’ of staycation, city breaks top the demand list with 40% favouring it, whilst countryside camping equates for a whopping 39% of people’s holidays, with another 16% choosing to spend their time in a caravan or campervan park. And this is despite restrictions on socially distanced showers and toilet facilities.
And as the population grows, and tastes change, this has resulted in the number of Brits holidaying in the UK almost doubling in 2017 to 59 million, from just over 30 million in 2009.
As lock-down restrictions are rapidly eased, and Boris Johnson has encouraged us to ‘take a holiday in Britain this year’, this could be an exciting time for UK tourism as the foundations laid over the past ten years bear fruit.
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It’s October and that means lots of you will have just started your GAP Year—no more studying, earning money and dreaming of where your travels will take you very soon! So, at Shower in a Can we thought we’d put together a list of top tips for planning your GAP Year so you can make the most of your travels...
1. Budget vs. time
So you’re working in a bar or a shop or temping to pay for your travels which means you’re going to have a budget for your Gap Year. It’s important to do your research about how much it will cost to live in your chosen destination and how far your money will go. For example, £1000 will allow you to backpack in Australia for about 2 weeks, whereas £1000 will allow you to stay in India for at least 3 months!
It’s important to decide what your priorities are: do you want to be away for as long as possible, or do you want to live more comfortably and be away for a shorter amount of time? There is no right or wrong answer, but it’s an important question to ask yourself as the last situation you want to be in is not having enough money to do the activities that you want or missing out on potentially once-in-a-lifetime experiences because you’ve run out of cash.
2. Organised travel vs. independent travel
For many of you your Gap Year will be the first taste of travel freedom that you’ve had away from your family. For some people, this is exactly what they want and there are plenty of resources online to make planning your trip independently relatively straight forward. For example, websites like Rome2Rio can help you workout your transport options and Facebook travel groups such as Lonely Planet Travellers are a great place to ask questions, get inspired and even meet a travel buddy!
For others, travelling is exciting, but daunting and they’d prefer the comfort and security of an organised tour. Organised tours are obviously more expensive than travelling independently, however you get the benefits of a knowledgeable tour guide, you don’t have to worry about buying tickets and you get an instant group of people to travel with. If you’ve never travelled before, starting off on an organised tour and travelling independently afterwards can ease you into your GAP Year and give you the confidence to travel by yourself. Companies like STA Travel, G Adventures, Intrepid and Dragoman are all good places to look at if you’re interested in a more supported GAP Year travel experience.
3. What climates will you experience?
Be aware of the seasons that you will be travelling in and the climates that you will experience. Particularly in the Southern Hemisphere seasons don’t just mean spring, summer, autumn and winter, they also refer to the wet and dry seasons. Do your research and try to avoid the wet seasons as much as possible as extreme amounts of rain often cause flooding and landslides which creates travel chaos.
Also, use this information to help you refine your packing list. If you’re going to go from tropical environments to mountains, make sure that you pack clothes that you can layer. Furthermore, bear in mind that warm locations often air condition their buses and trains, so you will need to take warmer clothing if you’re doing longer journeys otherwise you will find yourself turning into a popsicle!
4. Travel essentials
Do your research on what products will be easily available in your destination. Normal toiletries such as toothpaste, shower gel and shampoo are almost always available so you won’t need to pack 6 months’ worth of it when you leave the UK. However, other products—particularly medicines (including over-the-counter ones)—might not be so easily found or deciphered in a foreign language, so it’s a good idea to take a good supply of them with you. If you can’t live without some Lemsip when you’ve got a cold, take it with you!
Also, packing small items that will make your life a little more comfortable will contribute to the success of your GAP Year. Think earplugs for loud snorers in a shared dorm and Shower in a Can to stay clean and fresh with no need for water when camping or when the hostel showers are less than inviting!
5 . Get a good travel bag
There are thousands of travel bags on the market ranging from luxurious flashpacker-style bags with wheels which open like a suitcase to more traditional lid backpacks with multiple pockets and compartments which are ideal for hiking. Think about how much walking you will be doing with your bag—will you be catching local buses, walking to get to your accommodation or trekking? Then you might want to consider a backpack that is easy to pick up and comfy to carry on your back. If you’re mostly going to be dropped directly at your accommodation and you’re not going to have to walk with your bag that much, then a wheelie suitcase would perhaps be more suitable.
The most important thing to do though, is try the backpacks on! You can get some great deals on the internet, but make sure that you visit a shop and get them to put weights in the backpack to find out how it really feels and sits on your body before you make your purchase.
We hope that you have an amazing GAP Year wherever you go—share your adventures with us using the hashtag #ShowerCanLife!
Find out more about Shower in a Can by visiting our FAQ page.
If you’ve enjoyed this post, please share it and we’d love to hear any top tips that you have too!
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So a couple of months later, we thought we’d check in with Simon and find out how the expedition went...
So Simon, tell us how you got involved with Operation Olympus...
I have been a member of the Hockey for Heroes squad since 2016 and have completed one previous tour, Operation Stretcher where we carried a wounded veteran, Dom Lovett from Cardiff to London and played 30 games of hockey in 10 days. We managed to raise over £70,000 for Help for Heroes on this tour. So when the call came through from Joel, the CEO of Hockey for Heroes, I jumped at the chance to be involved in the OpOlympus expedition.
How did you prepare for the expedition?
I have been physically preparing for the next men’s tour, OpValkyrie, since December 2018 which has involved lots of gym work, cycling, and swimming all of which was great physical preparation for the World Record attempt. Specific to OpOlympus, my wife and I took a weekend to climb Pen-Y-Fan in Wales which was great fun, albeit only 886m—a long way short of the 5130m we would be reaching in Nepal.
What were your biggest challenges while on expedition?
Luckily, I didn’t get hit too hard by altitude sickness, just minor headaches that would come and go. However, some of our group got severe altitude sickness with nausea, vomiting and fatigue. Moreover, the travel was a huge challenge: before we even started hiking there were three full days of travel. Due to the heavy rains, the roads in Nepal were thick with mud and it took us two days to travel the 95 miles between Pokhara and Jomsom! There were many hair-raising moments that were like something out of one of the Top Gear Specials, and plenty of times we had to push the Jeeps out of the mud. By the time we arrived in Jomsom we were raring to go and ready to tackle the world record attempt.
What was your highlight of the trip?
Answering these questions has brought back so many incredible memories, to pick just one is very difficult. But there was a special moment when we visited a school in Jomsom after we had finished the trekking phase. We took a load of hockey equipment to show the children how to play and they absolutely loved it, even chanting for the Hockey for Heroes to win the exhibition game vs Lincoln Minster School (our expedition partners)! We are hoping that we have left a legacy behind in the local schools and that they will continue to play hockey. The enjoyment on the kids’ faces was enough to make the months of expedition preparation completely worth it!
How does it feel to be a World Record Holder?
I don’t think it’s fully sunk in yet! I’ve spoken to friends since I’ve been back and they think we were completely mad for even attempting OpOlympus! I think it will fully sink in when the actual certificate comes through.
Did Shower in a Can come in useful?
Definitely! There were some nights when there were no showers, so having the Cans meant that we were able to wash and get clean and fresh. There was one night in particular when they were priceless: we were forced to make an unscheduled stop at Tatopani between Pokhara and Jomsom due to the rain and several landslides blocking the road. Because of the weather, the water coming out of the taps and showers was saturated with silt from the river and were unusable, so we took the opportunity to wash with the Cans. I’m sure the others in my Jeep were thankful for that!
What’s next? (sounds like you’ve got a crazy plan for next year!)
In May 2020, the Hockey for Heroes men’s squad will be taking on Operation Valkyrie: a 10 day tour where as a squad of 25 we will play 30 games of hockey, row across The Channel, run a marathon, swim 2.4 miles, cycle 112 miles and complete a 10 mile stretcher carry! This is a huge step up from anything anyone in the squad has ever attempted and to say I am nervous is a huge understatement. I’m hoping that we will be able to raise close to £100,000 during the tour, all of which will go to Help for Heroes and the wounded service men and women and their families that suffer from injuries as a result of serving their county.
Congratulations again on a successful Operation Olympus and good luck with preparation for Operation Valkyrie. It sounds like a huge challenge and we look forward to seeing your progress! Hopefully Shower in a Can will come in useful during training!
Find out more about Shower in a Can and how it keeps you clean and fresh with no need for water here.
If you’ve enjoyed this post, please share it and visit the Help for Heroes website to make a donation.
]]>“I haven’t got time!”. “I haven’t got the energy!”. Sound familiar? It’s not always easy fitting exercise into our busy lives, but studies have shown that spending even half an hour working out during our lunch break can have lots of positive health benefits. These health benefits aren’t limited to the obvious physical ones such as better fitness and weight loss, but also include better memory recall, an improvement in mood—thanks to the release of serotonin—as well as lower stress levels.
And there’s even more of a reason to give lunchtime exercise a go with the recent launch of Shower in a Can. Our tiny Can contains up to 20 “full body” washes with no need for water or a towel. So, you can get clean and fresh even if your workplace has no shower facilities—so…what are you waiting for? Check out our top 5 lunchtime exercise ideas and join the fitness revolution!
With 67% of office workers eating lunch at their desk, let’s start simple. Get up, leave your office and go for a walk! This is perfect for anyone who wants a bit of alone time, some fresh air and the chance to reflect on the day so far. It also doesn’t require you to buy any specialist equipment or change your clothing. All you need are some comfy shoes and the discipline to actually move away from your desk at lunch. Try setting an alarm to remind you that it is actually time for a break and enjoy the health benefits of burning up to 200 calories during a 30-minute walk.
If you’re feeling more active, going for a 30-minute run during your lunch break can burn up to 355 calories! Plus, the cardio workout releases serotonin which will last well into the afternoon to improve your mood.
Lunchtime running requires a little more forward planning, so get organised and bring your running gear with you to work or even wear it under your normal clothes for a quick change time.
It’s not always practical to fit in an actual lunchtime yoga class if you have to travel, get changed and eat your lunch all within one hour! Why not try taking your yoga mat to work with you and asking your boss to use a space in the office for your practice? If it’s sunny, you could even take your lunchtime yoga outside to a nearby park to enjoy the benefits of both the lunchtime exercise and the fresh air.
You don’t need fancy equipment to get a full-body workout during your lunch break! Change into your workout clothes and check out these staircase circuit training routines from VeryWellFit.com. You’ll definitely be needing to use Shower in a Can after!
This activity is great for people who like to be sociable when exercising. Grab a friend (or 10!) and head to the nearest park. Not only will you be keeping fit but taking part in a team sport is proven to improve communication, develop your feedback skills as well as helping to manage stress levels—all of which are beneficial in a work environment.
Let us know whether you try any of these lunchtime activities and don’t forget to keep a Shower in a Can in your desk so you can get clean and fresh after working out with no need for water or a towel!
If you’ve enjoyed this post, please share it and we’d love to hear any suggestions that you have too!
Written by Christine Kavanagh
]]>Check out our top 5 things that you should consider before you start run commuting.
If your commute is longer than 4 miles (perhaps even 1 mile!), then the prospect of running there might seem a bit daunting. Why not get off the bus or train early or drive and park before starting your run? That way you can build up your stamina and as your fitness increases, so can the distance that you run.
Fellwalker and celebrated author Alfred Wainwright said: "There's no such thing as bad weather, only unsuitable clothing." Given that he spent a lot of his life hiking around the Lake District, it’s safe to say that the man knew what he was talking about! Making sure that you are wearing the right clothing for run commuting is essential. DO NOT attempt to run in your work clothes! We hope that is a given, but thought it was mentioning just in case!
Investing in merino wool clothing is better than spandex or lycra as it is sweat wicking, odour resistant and adapts to both warm and cold weather.
No one wants to sit at work feeling sweaty and gross all day, but not everyone has access to a shower at their workplace. In fact - according to an article in the Evening Standard in 2017, in London’s City and West End there is only one shower for every 240 employees. Not to worry though, a tiny Shower in a Can weighs just 150g, but contains up to 20 “full body” washes with no need for water or a towel, so you can get clean and fresh in time for your first meeting. Plus, at just 100ml it’s small enough to fit in your run commuting backpack.
You don’t want any excuse to not start run commuting, so get organised. If you are running to work, pack everything that you need the night before. Also, try to leave your change of clothes and toiletries at work the day before so that you only need to carry the essentials—mobile, keys, bank card and any identification you might need to access your office building.
Equally, if you are running back from work, leave anything non-essential there such as your work clothes and take them home on a day when you are not running
Also, buy yourself a specially designed running backpack or running belt so that you can carry the belongings that you need comfortably.
If you’re running to avoid being crammed in public transport, it’s unlikely you’ll want to run through congested traffic. So, plan a route that tries to avoid busy roads as much as possible and takes you on a route that you are going to enjoy—maybe through a park (but make sure that it is well lit and not empty) or along a tree lined road. Also, make sure that you know where you can catch public transport in a worst-case scenario and perhaps keep in mind where the closest bathrooms are along your route! You can find lots of popular running routes on Strava and even keep track of your progress!
We hope that you have a fantastic first running commute—let us know how you get on!
Find out more about Shower in a Can by visiting our FAQ page.
Written by Kate MacKellar-Still
]]>My tips focus on the things that nobody tells you about, but that I wish I’d known before my first triathlon which started in a cold lake in the Cotswolds many years ago.....
People forget that as well as the swim, run and bike sections of a triathlon there are also two transition periods and these can have a huge impact on your overall event time. Spending time practising taking off your kit and putting it on again sounds silly but could save you precious time—especially if you haven't worn a wetsuit before.
I spent over 3 minutes on my first triathlon struggling with my wetsuit (as I was disorientated after the swim). The next time, I saved nearly 2 minutes in changing time which equated to nearly 20 seconds per km— that would have taken a lot of run sessions to achieve!
Also, think about whether you need to put socks on for the bike ride—the time saved from drying your feet and struggling with socks could be worth a couple of minutes alone.
As much as organisers do their best to make sure the signs are as clear as possible, when you are in the middle of a race—tired and stressed—your ability to make decisions is reduced. Thinking through the triathlon route beforehand in your head and/or walking the course can minimise the risk of wasting time during the race.
Also, you often you need to count the number of lengths during a swim, or laps on a bike route. This isn’t a problem if you have an expensive triathlon watch (and remember to press the right buttons for each transition!) but there are other ways of remembering...
For example, I sing a song in my head about how many laps or lengths to go... it’s weird, I know, but it works for me!
The first time you do a triathlon with a lake swim can be daunting—especially if it’s the first time you've been in a lake. You often can't see the bottom, it's cold and you may be swam over by other triathletes at the start.
My advice is to try and go to a tri-lake before the event, if only to experience what it's like getting in the water in a wetsuit. Then, during the event wait for the rush to go at the start and take your time—get used to the cold and focus on breaking the swim down into sections. This helps to keep you focused and stops you getting overwhelmed.
Now, this isn’t talking about the right trainers or shorts, it’s more about those little things that you won't think of until you're doing the event.
For me, it was safety pins to attach your race number (either to make a hole for your race belt or to attach to your top), a small towel to stand on when in transition after the swim, a pen to fill out the race number contact details, and Vaseline to stop chaffing on the back of your neck in the wetsuit, but it can also be used in other places...
Most of these little items will be down to personal preference and will be learnt after making your own mistakes, but if I can share my own mistakes, then hopefully your first triathlon can go more smoothly than mine!
I completed my first triathlon on my Dad's old 1988 Kellogg's Tour of Britain Raleigh racer which in its day was the bike to have. However, my Dad’s bike weighed a ton, or at least it felt like it over the 20km bike circuit!
For my next triathlon I spent around £1,000 on a shiny, new, light bike and whilst undoubtedly I looked more professional, I saved all of 1 minute on my bike time. Compare this to the 2 minutes I saved from being able to get undressed quickly and it’s clear in what you should invest and that is time and practice.
We hope that you have a fantastic first triathlon! Don’t forget to take a Shower in a Can to get clean and fresh with no need for water so you can get to the celebrations quicker! Find out more about Shower in a Can by visiting our FAQ page.
Also, keep an eye out for us and come say “hi” at The London Triathlon or at the Salty Sea Dog Triathlon Series!
Written by Stuart Budd
]]>Last week, we were granted the right to include the Vegan Society Trademark on our Cans for the second year in a row. Now this doesn’t just mean that we are vegan-friendly (we definitely are!) it also means that our Shower in a Can product has gone through a rigorous approval process to make sure that every part of our product meets Vegan Society regulations.
Lots of products claim to be Vegan Friendly, but we’re extremely proud of our Vegan Society credentials because we know what we have to go through to get approval, So you know it’s a Mark you can trust, we thought we’d share exactly what carrying the Vegan Society trademark actually means and what you have to do to get it.
In 1944, the Vegan Society created the word ‘vegan’ and it has been the authentic international vegan standard ever since. Whenever you see the Vegan Society trademark it shows that the product contains no animal or animal-derived products both in the final product or during the manufacturing or development process. It also means that none of the products used during the manufacturing or development process or the actual product have been tested on animals.
Step 1
We have to obtain written, detailed confirmation from each of our ingredient suppliers (including companies from Italy, Germany and France) regarding the origins of the ingredients and to ensure that they were not derived from or tested on animals. We refresh this regularly to make sure that our vegan credentials are always accurate.
Step 2
We have to obtain confirmation from the board of our manufacturer that they do not undertake animal testing, which is again confirmed regularly.
Step 3
We send all of this information to the Vegan Society and it is then audited by an expert team before they grant us the Vegan Society Trademark.
Step 4
We proudly present the Trademark on each and every can of Shower in a Can.
Written by Christine Kavanagh
]]>With Bestival banning plastic straws, Glastonbury not selling single-use plastic bottles and Live Nation pledging that all of their venues and events will eliminate single-use plastics by 2021 and achieve zero-waste by 2030, it feels like the eco revolution has well and truly arrived. While it may take a few more years to fully organise zero-waste festivals, here are a few ideas about how you can minimise your plastic waste this festival season.
The food on offer at festivals across the UK is no longer a soggy burger and chips—more often than not there are mouth-watering global gourmet offerings! Lots of food trucks have already begun to use biodegradable packaging, but one sure-fire way to avoid any plastic waste is to take your own reusable plate and cutlery set. If you have to use your own set, make sure you tell the vendor that it is time they invest in biodegradable or reusable alternatives!
Even the so-called “flushable” wet wipes don’t actually biodegrade, because most of them contain plastic. So, what happens is that they fragment and fibres break away which contributes to the huge problem of microplastics in our oceans.
Choose a more sustainable option to get clean this festival season with solid, plastic-free toiletries or even a Shower in a Can which is made from recyclable aluminium, gives you up to 20 full “body washes” (so you’re less likely to leave it!) and doesn’t require water or a towel to get you clean and fresh all festival long!
It’s festival season and that means GLITTER...EVERYWHERE! No festival look is complete without some sparkly glamour, but traditional glitter is made up of microplastics—the worst kind of plastic! Fear not though, there are lots of biodegradable glitter alternatives now on offer, so switch over and get guilt-free festival fabulous!
Love the tote! We’ve all got a pile of them in a cupboard somewhere from various freebies, so put them to good use this festival season and organise your clothes and shoes in tote bags. Got food that you’re taking? Pop it in tupperware to keep it fresh and eliminate single-use sandwich bags and clingfilm.
99% of toothbrushes are plastic and they contribute to the massive 8m tonnes of plastic that enter our oceans every year. One simple way to reduce your plastic waste this festival season (and in general!) is to switch to a bamboo toothbrush.
Refillable bottles are an essential in everyday life and you can take them to festivals too! You might be asked by security to empty the contents before entering the arena (just in case there might be something other than water in there!), but as soon as you are in, you can head to the nearest water station to fill back up!
We hope that you manage to reduce your plastic waste this festival season! Wherever you end up, don’t forget to take a Shower in a Can to stay clean and fresh with no need for water and share your photos with us on social media! Find out more about Shower in a Can by visiting our FAQ page.
Written by Kate MacKellar-Still
]]>So why is this a problem? Well, according to the latest Youth Sport Trust Impact Report, 82.5% of young people are not meeting the CMO guideline of 60 minutes of activity each day, one in three pupils in their last year of primary are overweight or obese and 27% of 10-15 year olds are unhappy. It is not hard to see the link between a lack of activity and a decline in the overall wellbeing of our young people which is why Ben and Stuart were so keen to find a way to help kids get clean and fresh without showering.
The benefits of being active are numerous and contribute to the entire wellbeing of our young people.
Children who regularly exercise and meet the CMO daily activity requirements have healthier BMI levels than those that do not. Moreover, scientists have found a correlation between being active as a child and improved bone density and metabolic rate in adulthood, thus reducing the chances of osteoporosis, diabetes and cancer in later life.
According to the UK Active, Generation Inactive 2 Report “Children that participate and engage in regular physical activity
show higher levels of confidence and self-esteem, have improved sleep, and show reduced feelings of anxiety and stress, tension, and depression.”. With 92% of 15-16 year olds experiencing exam stress, getting active and doing sport is a great way to alleviate this.
The UK Active report also highlighted that, “Physical activity experiences and environments also have the potential
to bring communities together, provide platforms for social integration and community cohesion, and offer hope to those feeling isolated or lonely. Play aids socialisation and provides environments where children become active and competent participants in one or more communities.” More and more young people are feeling isolated and lonely, particularly during the long summer holidays and participating in sports clubs or groups can provide a solution to this. Moreover, the fast-paced highs and lows of taking part in a game help build resilience and social skills.
With UK Active highlighting that the poorest children in the UK lose up to 80% of their fitness during the summer holidays, you can support Tanni Grey-Thompson and Lawrence Dallaglio in their call to open school sports facilities during the holidays: https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/may/03/school-sports-facilities-child-healthy-fitness-holidays
Sign the petition to establish P.E. as a core subject on the National Curriculum: https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/255414
Make sure your children are spending at least an hour a day being active and model the behaviour yourself. The University of Essex study showed that pupils that participated in exercise with an adult family member outside of school were twice as likely to shower after P.E and as such more likely to be gaining maximum benefit from their P.E. lessons.
Find out more about Shower in a Can and how it is helping to remove the barrier of not wanting or being able to shower after exercise by visiting our FAQ page
If you’ve enjoyed this post, please share it and we’d love to hear any suggestions that you have too!
Written by Kate MacKellar-Still
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No, Easter Egg Hunts are not just for young children! An active egg hunt brings out everyone’s competitive nature and gets the legs moving and the heart pumping!
Print out and laminate at least 100 egg pictures (it doesn’t take as long as you think!). Pick a large space, like a park or playing field and hide the eggs. Then, set the timer and let the chaos commence! The winning person/ pair are the ones that find the most amount of eggs in the given time and they win the prize!
If that sounds like too much effort, the National Trust has partnered with Cadbury’s and will be running Easter Egg Hunts all over the UK throughout April.
Going for a bike ride is a great way to get fit, breath fresh air and explore some of the beautiful countryside that the UK has to offer. You may never have noticed them, but there are many hidden cycle trails all around the UK. Whether you want a gentle woodland ride or more extreme mountain biking, the Forestry Commission can recommend routes near your home.
Try something new this Easter! There are more and more climbing centres popping up around the country and they normally include a bouldering room too. You can find your nearest one using the BMC directory. Bouldering is easier than climbing as a beginner as it does not require any harnesses or supports and you can do it by yourself. It uses all of the muscles in your body and you can burn anywhere between 500 and 900 calories an hour depending on how many breaks you take.
Once you’ve got confident indoors, get inspired by some of the best outdoor bouldering spots in the UK.
Trampolining has been an Olympic Sport since 2000 and there are now around 200 trampoline parks around the UK. According to a NASA study jumping on a trampoline for 10 minutes is equivalent to running for 30 minutes and we know which one we’d rather be doing!
Airhop also offers ‘Airhop Chill’ inclusive sessions which are designed specifically for those on the autism spectrum.
You won’t even notice how fit you are getting when you are running through a forest trying not to be hit by paintballs! Fast, furious and fun, this is the perfect activity for a group of friends. You get to experience a real adrenaline rush and put all of the strategic skills developed by playing video games in to practice in real life.
We hope that you have lots of fun getting active this Easter! Wherever your adventures take you, don’t forget to take a Shower in a Can to stay clean and fresh with no need for water and share your photos with us on social media! Find out more about Shower in a Can by visiting our FAQ page
If you’ve enjoyed this post, please share it and we’d love to hear any suggestions that you have too!
Written by Ben Cooper
]]>Spring is officially here and that means that DofE expedition season is upon us! Whether you are doing your Bronze, Silver or Gold expedition, you are probably about to step outside of your comfort zone, learn new skills and be challenged.
Rest assured though, you are not the first person to do this, so we thought, why not share with you what our intrepid team member Kate learned from doing her Gold DofE expeditions.
So, strap that bag on your back, tie those laces nice and tight, take a deep breath of fresh, country air and make sure you’ve read these 5 things Kate wished she’d known before doing her DofE expedition…
Trust me.
This is the most important thing to remember.
You already have to carry a lot of kit, so keep anything non-essential to a minimum. You will not have time to read a book; you will not have anywhere to charge your phone; you do not need any makeup. When you’re packing your bag at home you might not realise how heavy all of these things are, but they add up and when hiking up a mountain, you will regret having weight that you can’t throw away.
There is nothing nicer when on expedition than getting to camp and being able to change in to clean, dry clothes and snuggle into a warm sleeping bag. Keeping one set of clothes just for in camp will make you feel good and give you time to let the clothes you’ve worn in the day dry.
Also, make sure all of this stays dry even in the rainy UK by using rubble bags. These are an inexpensive alternative to branded waterproof bags, but they are a lot more durable than bin bags which are not recommended for keeping kit dry.
After a long day’s hike it’s good to get clean, but most of the places that you camp will not have shower facilities and you might not fancy stripping off in the nearest river! Popping a tiny Shower in a Can in your bag will give you up to 20 full body washes with no need for water or a towel, meaning you can get fresh in the privacy of your tent.
If you want to reduce weight and space even more, you could share one Can between your expedition group. Also, the Can is made from aluminium and is fully recyclable, so you won’t be damaging the environment, unlike with most wet wipes which don’t biodegrade.
You have to carry all of the food that you are going to eat on expedition, so you are going to want to plan your meals carefully.
Firstly, if you are going to take heavier items like tins, plan to cook with them on your first night, so that you lighten your load quickly.
Secondly, don’t make your dinners too complicated. You want to cook something that will be ready with minimum preparation (no chopping!), using a maximum of two hobs and that you will be able to eat within 20 minutes. When you have walked all day and it is dark and potentially raining, the last thing you want is to be cooking a complicated dinner.
Finally, take food that makes you happy, but that is also full of good calories. Crisps are a terrible idea as they will crumble and contain almost no useful energy. Nuts, on the other hand, are full of slow-burning fats that will help keep your energy levels steady. My favourite snack was a homemade trail mix in a bag which we kept in our pockets. It was full of nuts, dried fruits, M&Ms and jelly beans and it kept us going all expedition long.
When booking camping spaces with local farmers, find out where the actual campsite is rather than the farm house. The disappointment when you’ve walked for hours and think that you’ve reached your camp for the night only to be told that it is actually a mile back up the road you’ve come from is not worth the pain!
We hope that you’ve found these tips useful and wish you lots of luck on your expedition! If you’ve enjoyed this post, please share it on social media and we’d love to hear any tips that you have too!
Written by Kate MacKellar-Still
]]>It’s been a busy week - but we’ve pressed “Go” on production! Exciting! This is really happening ... 😳😂
Watch this space for updates, or Sign Up for our email updates to be the first to get your hands on a Can of the good stuff and details of any launch offers!
Can we take the plunge knowing we have loads of support ... ? (thank you) Yes, we Can!
Written by Christine Kavanagh
]]>Thursday 28th February was an exciting day for us as we headed to the bright lights of Coventry and the Ricoh Arena for the annual YST Conference. YST stands for Youth Sport Trust and Shower in a Can has been a proud member of the trust since October 2018. In fact, the last time we attended a YST event we launched Shower in a Can, so we were very excited to have the opportunity to spread the word even wider about our little fluffy clouds of clean - with our very own stand at the conference!
Set up with our jazzy, on-brand stand and plenty of Cans to give out, we were ready to tell the world about Shower in a Can. Given that Shower in a Can was inspired by wanting to remove one of the barriers to youth sport participation—not wanting to shower after PE— the Youth Sport Trust Conference was the perfect place to connect with like-minded people.
1. We need to make sure that our young people are mentally and physically equipped to learn
The opening speech given by the CEO of the YST, Alison Oliver, stated that,
“The world is moving faster than ever. Things keep spinning and moving but at the same time the world is slowing down and has almost stopped in terms of physical activity. Young people are getting less and less active but more stressed.
Children along with the elderly are now the loneliest in society and we are working children’s brains harder than ever but because of this, their brains are working less well.”
This means that it is more important than ever that young people have as few barriers as possible when being encouraged to get active, whether that’s not wanting to shower or not having access to the proper facilities.
2. There are so many incredible and inspiring people doing great things in the UK to get young people active
From Jenna Downing (Inline Skating World Champion) and Lipa Nessa (footballer and host of ‘I Think She’s Offside’ podcast) and the work they do as YST ambassadors, to all of the exhibitors who are passionate about helping schools and communities get their young people moving. It was a privilege to be among so many people who share our passion and to hear their ideas for the future of youth sport.
3. Shower in a Can has huge market potential
Not only did we make over 100 contacts at the conference, but we had loads of positive feedback from people across many different disciplines. From head teachers and skaters to mountain climbers and endurance athletes; they all thought Shower in a Can would come in useful when being active! Great stuff!
4. It’s not about the winning, it’s about the taking part
Shower in a Can was nominated for the Outstanding Innovation Partner Award which meant that we got to go to the swanky YST Awards Dinner in the evening. While we didn’t win on the night, it was a fantastic opportunity to network and to hear from ultra-marathon runner, Ben Smith, who completed 401 marathons in 401 days (crazy!). Huge congratulations go to the Mentally Healthy Schools Programme in Manchester who did win the Outstanding Innovation Partner Award and as for us, well, there’s always next year and we can’t wait!
Written by Christine Kavanagh
]]>Dave at GadgetLine Films is busy pulling together some more awesome video from our shoot last week. We spent the day on location, and then back to the “office” at Bristol and Bath Science Park. It’s a tough job!
We’re really looking forward to sharing all the new content with you! 😁
Can we nail a day’s filming? Yes, we Can!
Written by Christine Kavanagh
]]>It’s NSPCC’s Parents in Sport Week!
Parents play a key part in helping and encouraging Children to get active and to play sport. I know we’ll be among the parents across the country by the side of pitches, swimming pools and Athletics tracks this weekend watching and supporting our kids do their thing!
The Youth Sport Trust has identified Parents as one of the key groups that need to be engaged and encouraged, so in turn they can support their children into getting active. And they have developed a portal for parents to help children reach both their sporting and academic potential.
And it’s not just about being the taxi service to and from their events - it’s about providing positive influences and encouragement to help children overcome the barriers to them getting involved - whether they are physical or mental hurdles.
Can you help Children get more active? Yes, you Can!
Written by Christine Kavanagh
]]>As we prepare for launch, we’re busy ensuring we’ve got all our ducks lined up. We already own the trademark for “Shower in a Can” and now we own the trademark for our “o-drop” logo.
We use the logo on social media, and it’s going to feature on our newfangled website ... coming very soon!
Shower in a Can. Yes, you Can ...
]]>Great news - We’ve become a Youth Sport Trust Member!
Here we are with Youth Sport Trust’s Commercial Director James Kyte and Membership Manager Emma Whitby yesterday, where we further cemented our relationship. Head of Commercial Development Jenny Rouse was hiding behind the camera!
We’re so proud - and keen to help Youth Sport Trust meet its aim of creating “A future where every child enjoys the life-changing benefits that come from play and sport.”
Can we help get kids into PE and Sport? Yes, we Can!
]]>Hi Canners! Exciting times. Our Vegan Society Certificate has arrived! Yay!
See our cutout and keep picture - it features our owners Ben and Stuart with cheesy grins! Print it out and put it on your mantlepiece. Next to the one of your cat ...
Can you be clean, fresh, kind to animals and the environment, all at the same time?
Yes, you Can!
Written by Christine Kavanagh
]]>Written by Christine Kavanagh
]]>Written by Christine Kavanagh
]]>We've got an exciting scoop to share with you!
Safety testing of Shower in a Can has finished, and we’re amazed ... I mean chuffed ... to say the foam’s secret formula has passed with flying colours! Yay!
The boffins have undertaken numerous tests over the past 12 weeks, to check the good stuff for stability, for any changes in pH level, and numerous other things that we last looked at in GCSE Chemistry about 20 years ago!
Suffice to say - the feedback has been really positive, and we’re another step closer to launch on 26th September!
Exciting times!
Written by Christine Kavanagh
]]>Hi Canners! So ... here they are! 🎉🎉🎉
Just a couple of weeks after you overwhelmingly plumped for the blue Can - these are images from the suppliers of how the cans will look! Exciting!
The eagle-eyed amongst you will notice we’ve added additional stuff on the front and back - this is to make us US Friendly! We’re going international! 😁
We’ve almost finished the initial testing for the foam itself - and it’s looking (and feeling) good! It‘s all coming together!
Do you like the look of the cans? Any thoughts or comments? Let us know! It’s great to get feedback from our Canner community!
Written by Christine Kavanagh
]]>Whether you are heading to Glastonbury, Download, Reading or one of the hundreds of other festivals happening this summer, you can be sure that Shower in a Can’s Ultimate Festival Survival Guide will set you up to have the best festival experience ever!
Do not underestimate how much water you need to drink while you’re at a festival, especially if it is hot (we can all dream!). The NHS recommends that on a normal day you should drink 6-8 glasses of fluid with water, sugar-free drinks and tea and coffee all counting. However, if it is hot and you are walking and dancing loads, then this needs to be more. A top tip on hydration management, given to us by a World Challenge expedition leader, is that your pee should be straw coloured and if your lips are dry, then you are dehydrated. Of course, everyone is different, but this is a good rule of thumb to follow.
Also, unfortunately, alcoholic drinks do not count as part of your fluid intake as they actually dehydrate you. So, a good idea is to take a plastic-free, refillable bottle and fill it up from water taps throughout the day.
There is nothing worse when it is hot and you’ve been dancing (and sweating!) than not being able to freshen up. Popping a tiny Shower in a Can in your bag will give you up to 20 full body washes with no need for water. Our little fluffy clouds of foam mean that you can get clean and fresh in the privacy of your tent without damaging the environment, as the can is made from 100% recyclable aluminium. Plus, all your friends will hugely appreciate it!
Technology is good, but it is currently not that good—when there are thousands of people gathered in one place the phone signal and 4G often don’t work. This can lead to friends left adrift at a festival because they wanted to go and see a different band. Avoid this (pretty scary) situation by agreeing on a meeting point and time if you and your friends are going to split up. Also, make sure that you are wearing an old-school analogue watch so that you know when you should be meeting in case your phone battery dies. Which leads us conveniently on to...
You might have the latest iPhone, designer sunglasses and designer watch, but unless you are in the VIP section, a festival is not the place to bring them! Instead, take a burner phone, a cheap analogue watch and clothes and jewellery that you don’t mind getting covered in mud/sweat/lost. You don’t want to ruin your festival experience by losing something valuable to you.
If there are hills in the camp area make sure that you choose a pitch that is higher up the hill. You might slide down in the tent in the night, but at least you won’t end up in a muddy bog when the inevitable rain of the “Great British Summer” arrives!
We hope that you have an amazing festival experience! Wherever your music tastes take you, don’t forget to take a Shower in a Can to stay clean and fresh with no need for water and share your photos with us on social media! Find out more about Shower in a Can by visiting our FAQ page
Written by Christine Kavanagh
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