The UEFA Euro 2024 tournament in Germany promises to be a thrilling event, drawing football fans from across the globe. While you’re in Germany for the matches, take the opportunity to explore the country’s rich history, vibrant culture, and diverse attractions. Here’s a guide to making the most of your stay, with added savings through World Privilege Plus.

Useful Resources:

· Things to Do in Germany on TUI Musement

Log in to your rewards to get your 12% discount

Whether you’re a football fan, a history buff, or a foodie, Germany has something to offer everyone during the Euro 2024 tournament. Plan your itinerary to include these top attractions and activities, and don’t forget to use World Privilege Plus for exclusive discounts. Enjoy your trip to Germany!

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As a word “spiritual” can have many meanings to many individuals. What comes to your mind?

Contemporary practices are bringing to light the expansive understanding that lays behind the context of spiritual wellness. For example, Tony Robbins’ definition is having made “peace with your life” or creating a “cycle of positivity”.

When I mention spiritual wellness I speak of your connection to yourself, which in turn is your connection to the highest energy. Which begs the question, what is ‘self’?

Spiritual wellness is a topic with many twists and turns, a maze, a sky full of possibilities. Here, I say ‘self’ to mean your soul and your inner alignment. Focusing on these aspects allows you to connect to your higher self, to your heart and to your purpose. Creating an understanding of YOUR truth and learning what resonates with you deeply. Finding your inner peace. A path of self-discovery. Not everyone resonates with this topic because we are all on a unique path. Ask yourself: “how does ’spiritual wellness’ resonate with me?”

A focus on spiritual wellness is a focus on what brings you back to your centre, which feels especially important during times of uncertainty and change. In a society full of responsibilities and others, one of the best things we can do for each other is to look after ourselves. Finding what works for you requires patience, self-awareness and adapting to your constant evolution.

These days you can switch on your closest connection to the outside world, be it social media or the latest trending podcast, and you will notice someone alluding to how to become your “best self.” How can you be sure whose voice to listen to? I would like to throw what I believe is a better question out there for you to ask yourself: “How can I turn inwards to tune into myself?”

Just as with anything spiritual, we already have a plethora of questions! Let’s focus it in shall we: what can you do to nurture your spiritual wellness? Firstly, begin to get to know YOU. This is the most important aspect of your journey. This is your beginning and your ongoing priority. There are many questions to ask yourself, all varying based on your current situation and the experiences that have shaped this very version of you right here, right now. My guidance is to break it down. Your life holds different areas that make up you as a whole. Take some time reflecting on these areas and how fulfilled you feel in each. This will allow you to recognise what steps need to be taken towards you aligning with what is true to you. These steps can even be minor adjustments.

There are many pathways to consciously venture your journey of spiritual wellness. Your path is personal, you get to discover what aligns with you. Perhaps you have tried more well known methods such as meditation, yoga, embodiment, breath work, retreats – or maybe you are still to taste the flavours available to you. My journey of self-discovery unfolded throughout much self-reflection, solitude, conscious connection, adopting practices such as grounding, discipline, exploring my chakras, dance, balancing my energies, adapting my preferences, to name just a few! A very important aspect which we won’t focus on here too much is that to get to the point of understanding what brings you into alignment requires a deep understanding of what takes you away from your inner alignment. It is also important to understand that, though we operate individually, we are a collective with each one of us influencing the other. Whether this be directly or via less obvious means such as energy exchange.

As you can see, there is endless depth to this topic of spiritual wellness. It is not something that can be boxed into one size fits all. It requires an open mind and a willing heart to travel along the, often, winding roads. One thing I can say for certain and perhaps you will agree: it is never a “boring” adventure.

We would love to hear your thoughts! How do you cater to your wellbeing needs? When did you begin your path of spiritual wellness? Connect with us on social media and subscribe today!

The 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris is set to be an unforgettable event, drawing visitors from around the world to witness the best in sports. Beyond the games, Paris offers an array of activities that will enrich your experience. Here’s a guide to making the most of your time in Paris, while also enjoying discounts through World Privilege Plus. 

Top Attractions to Visit 

1. Eiffel Tower 

No trip to Paris is complete without visiting the iconic Eiffel Tower. Enjoy breathtaking views of the city from the top, or relax in the lush gardens at its base. For a unique experience, visit at night when the tower is beautifully illuminated. 

2. Louvre Museum 

Home to the Mona Lisa and countless other masterpieces, the Louvre is a must-visit. The museum’s vast collection spans thousands of years and numerous cultures, offering something for everyone. 

3. Notre-Dame Cathedral 

Despite the ongoing restoration work, the Notre-Dame Cathedral remains a symbol of Parisian heritage. You can still appreciate its stunning architecture and explore the nearby Latin Quarter. 

4. Montmartre 

This historic district is known for its artistic history and bohemian atmosphere. Visit the Basilica of the Sacré-Cœur for panoramic views of Paris and stroll through the charming streets where artists like Picasso once worked. 

5. Seine River Cruise 

Experience Paris from a different perspective with a Seine River cruise. It’s a relaxing way to see many of the city’s landmarks, including the Eiffel Tower, Notre-Dame, and the Louvre. 

Special Olympic Activities 

6. Olympic Park 

Located in the northern part of the city, the Olympic Park will be the heart of the games. It’s a great place to soak up the Olympic spirit, watch live events, and enjoy various entertainment options. 

7. Fan Zones 

Throughout Paris, several fan zones will be set up with big screens broadcasting the events, food stalls, and entertainment. These are perfect spots to gather with fellow sports enthusiasts. 

Dining and Nightlife 

8. French Cuisine 

Indulge in world-renowned French cuisine at one of Paris’s many bistros and restaurants. Try classic dishes like coq au vin, escargot, and crème brûlée. 

9. Parisian Cafés 

Relax in one of Paris’s famous cafés, such as Café de Flore or Les Deux Magots. These historic spots are perfect for people-watching and enjoying a coffee or glass of wine. 

10. Nightlife in Paris 

Experience the vibrant nightlife in areas like Le Marais or the Latin Quarter, which offer a mix of bars, clubs, and live music venues. 

Shopping and Souvenirs 

11. Champs-Élysées 

Shop for luxury brands on the famous Champs-Élysées, where you can find everything from high-end fashion to unique souvenirs. 

12. Local Markets 

Explore local markets such as Marché aux Puces de St-Ouen for antiques and unique finds, or visit one of the many food markets for delicious local produce. 

Get Your Discounts with World Privilege Plus 

While exploring Paris, make sure to take advantage of discounts offered by World Privilege Plus. By visiting their website, you can get up to 12% off on various attractions and services, ensuring you get the best deals during your stay. 

Useful Resources: 

• Paris Attractions on World Privilege Plus 

• Things to Do in Paris on TUI Musement 

Whether you’re a sports fan, a culture enthusiast, or a foodie, Paris has something to offer everyone during the 2024 Olympics. Plan your itinerary to include these top attractions and activities, and don’t forget to use World Privilege Plus for exclusive discounts. Enjoy your trip to the City of Light! 

Over at Elevate, we’re debating how much is too much protein??

Ever pondered the intricacies of protein consumption, questioned the optimal timing for protein intake, or fretted about potential protein excess? Our Specialist dietitian addresses these long-standing queries, unravelling the myths surrounding protein.

1. “More protein = more gains” our specialist dispels the notion that excess protein guarantees superior health or performance. The International Society of Sports Nutrition recommends 1.4-2g/kg of body weight daily. Muscle-building magic doesn’t occur by increasing from 1.4g to 2.3g; sufficiency is key.

2. “Only protein is required for building muscle” Elle emphasizes a holistic approach, noting that protein alone won’t maximize muscle growth; a balanced intake of carbs and fats is vital.

3. “Protein shakes are necessary for muscle gain” Protein powders suit specific needs or high-protein requirements. Elle suggests incorporating protein into meals and smoothies to meet daily needs conveniently.

4. “Your body can only absorb a certain amount of protein in one go” While not entirely accurate, Elle advises that spreading protein intake throughout the day benefits muscle growth.

5. “Too much protein is harmful” Elle asserts no harm in healthy individuals; tailored advice is crucial for those with impaired liver or kidney function.

6. “It’s difficult to get enough protein on a vegetarian or vegan diet” Elle dispels this myth, highlighting soy-based products and complementary proteins. Vegetarians and vegans can also benefit from protein supplements.

Take Home Message: Elle demystifies protein intricacies, guiding towards better-informed nutrition. Understanding macronutrient needs and aligning quantities with specific goals surpasses blindly following trends or social media advice. Embrace a balanced approach for a well-informed fitness journey.

Discover the reasons behind the anticipated rise of the New Balance 1906R, poised to be the next sensation in the world of sneakers. Emerging from dominating the track to conquering the streets, Boston’s New Balance has solidified its position as a footwear powerhouse in recent years. Noteworthy collaborations with Aimé Leon Dore, Joe Freshgoods, and KITH, coupled with captivating in-line color-ways, have elevated the iconic “N” logo to new heights of recognition.

For those closely following New Balance’s evolution, the transformation from a brand associated with the “ugly dad shoe” aesthetic to a sought-after streetwear essential is evident. The NB 550 and the widely popular 2002R models have seen immense success, with various color-ways quickly selling out upon release and commanding significant resale value in the secondary market.

As New Balance continues its impressive momentum, there’s a silhouette quietly gaining attention – the New Balance 1906R. This model emerges as one of the most hyped sneakers since 2022.

Discussed in Issue 01 of our Elevate Magazine 2024:

Everyone knows how important getting a good night’s sleep is, but what actually happens when we close our eyes and drift off to sleep?

There are a whole variety of negative health connotations associated with poor sleep quality, so below we will briefly touch on a few of the main ones to hopefully help you understand the issue slightly better. Firstly, an interesting study from the University of Chicago on individuals looking to lose weight following a calorie-restricted diet at the same time as monitoring their sleep.

Two groups were studied, one was sleep deprived only gaining 5.5 hours sleep, whilst the other group on exactly the same diet but getting 8.5 hours sleep found that at the end of the study, they’d lost 55% more body fat simply from sleeping more.

Now this goes against the modern-day dogma of doing more to achieve your goals and in many ways sounds counterintuitive, as how does doing less (i.e. sleeping) actually give you more in terms of burning fat?

This isn’t just a question of sleeping more, we need to sleep smarter. What actually happens whilst we sleep that enhances everything that we do, and becomes some kind of elixir to our health, fitness and longevity?

So, for today let’s talk about a few hormones that may be having an effect on your sleep and health.

HGH (Human Growth Hormone) is an extremely powerful hormone that you will produce during the first part of your sleep cycle, and which helps to produce more lean muscle. It’s also muscle sparing and helps to protect the muscle that you already have. HGH also helps to increase energy levels and is known as the “Fountain of Youth” as you will have naturally higher levels during childhood.

Sleep is the key here, as you won’t increase your levels from a supplement that claims to “Increase HGH by 555%”, but you will increase levels by getting a good night’s sleep.

The second hormone that we need to look at is cortisol, which has become a bit of a buzzword and bogeyman of late. Cortisol is responsible for a whole variety of metabolic functions such as helping to regulate your thyroid hormone.

The thyroid regulates nearly every major metabolic function within your body, and as such, a poor functioning thyroid can have a detrimental effect on nearly every area of your health. For instance, weight gain, reduced metabolic rate, fatigue, feeling depressed or moody, dry hair and skin and much more. Cortisol is our friend for most of the time; it only becomes an issue if it’s produced at the wrong time and in the wrong amount.

Sleep deprivation has an immediate effect with an increase in cortisol levels and a decrease in HGH production. So, if you’re staying up late, and burning the midnight oil checking your emails then your cortisol levels will be increased significantly, and you will literally be breaking down your muscle tissue for energy at an elevated rate. This process is called gluconeogenesis, where you will be breaking down your valuable muscle tissue into sugar (glucose).

The next hormone in the sleep equation is melatonin, or the “Sleep hormone” as it has been labelled of late.

Melatonin has been shown to have a great effect on fat loss, as it helps to increase brown adipose tissue (BAT), which functions in many ways like muscle in regard to burning white adipose tissue (WAT). Increasing your levels of BAT fat will help to increase your metabolic rate, with melatonin having a direct correlation to increasing your levels of BAT fat.

Then we have leptin, which is your body’s satiety hormone (Feeling full). A study at Stanford University discovered that just one night of sleep deprivation and poor sleep quality leads to quite a severe suppression of your leptin levels. This is one of the reasons that you will eat everything in sight following a late night, as your “Feeling full” hormone isn’t firing on all cylinders.

Now the last hormone we will be looking at is ghrelin, which is your body’s “Hunger hormone”.
Another interesting study showed that just one night of poor quality of sleep lead to a 20% increase in ghrelin levels. So again, this may be one reason as to why your appetite increases following a late night, or continually going to bed late.

Briefly delving into the world of genetics now!

During our sleep is when we repair damage to our DNA. One of the ways that this is done is by releasing one of our previously mentioned hormones “Melatonin” at night, which is inhibited by blue light during the day as well as our phones, laptops and tablets at night. Melatonin activates and regulates over 500 genes that are involved in repair and antioxidant function.

Sleeping is obviously very important to repair a lot of the damage done during the day. It also activates the glymphatic system, which is a complex network of blood vessels that extends from the spinal fluid all the way throughout the brain. During our sleep we will actually release more cerebral spinal fluid up into the brain to wash out all the cellular waste products that have built up during the day. So, getting a good night’s sleep has many positive health connotations, from repairing your DNA, increasing your antioxidants, to improving the length of your telomeres, which slow the ageing process, and are regarded as mother nature’s stopwatch.