A new study has revealed that 60% of Brits think Valentine’s Day is the “most stressful” day of the whole year.
To be fair, they've got a point.
In case you need a little reminder, the most romantic day of them all – also known as Valentine’s Day – is today, and if the findings of some new research by popular chewing gum, Extra, is anything to go by, then that spells stress for more than half of the British population.
Many lucky – or unlucky – lovers have a story to tell about a time the big V Day has crept up on them, and so they have resorted to spending either the day before or the day itself running around as quick as they can trying to grab gifts and make last-minute plans in a bid to pass it off like they haven’t forgotten all about it.
Situations like this are probably why more than half (60%) of us consider Valentine's Day to be such as stressful day, and even when we do remember, it can still be a pretty nerve-wracking experience.
Credit: Pixahive | Pexels
Valentine’s Day is among the top 10 times of year when people experience so-called ‘microstresses’, according to Extra’s research results – with one in eight (13%) feeling even more stressed around the day than at Christmas.
A quarter (24%) of survey respondents said they found that the pressure to have plans or a date on Valentine’s Day was the cause of their microstresses, whilst almost a fifth (17%) put it down to struggling to know what to buy their partner to celebrate.
‘Microstresses’ may feel harmless in the moment – but, just as a recent study in the Harvard Business Review has found, they can slowly build up over time and create more long-term issues for an individuals’ wellbeing.
Apparently, the study found that one of the best ways to combat such microstresses is by taking time to “invest in close relationships” and take part in activities that “help to keep stresses at bay”.
So, what’s your thoughts on all this then? Is Valentine’s Day a cause of stress for you? Or do you see it as a walk in the park?
Authentic Turkish street food is coming to Kirkgate.
Leeds city centre is gearing up to welcome yet another new food spot, and this one is all about homemade lahmacun, shawarma wraps and plenty of signature tahini sauce.
Tahin will open its doors at 10 Kirkgate, next to The Cat Cafe, and with signs already up we don't think it'll be long until they welcome their first customers.
The restaurant is listed as a Turkish restaurant that specialise in their homemade tahini sauce, hence the name.
According to the restaurant's Instagram profile which has been going for a few years, Tahin also specialises in home-made lahmacun wraps alongside shawarma wraps.
For anyone unfamiliar with lahmacun, the Turkish staple is often described as a thin, crispy flatbread topped with a richly seasoned mixture of minced meat, herbs and vegetables.
Wrapped up with fresh salad and sauces, it makes for a satisfying and flavourful lunch to enjoy on-the-go.
Their Instagram suggests that Tahin once existed before back in 2022, so although this may not be a completely new venture, we're nevertheless very glad to see them back.
Its location puts it right in the middle of one of Leeds' busiest areas, making it the perfect mid-shopping pit stop for those wandering around Briggate or stopping for a bite to eat before heading out on the town.
The new opening comes at a time when Leeds' food scene is continuing to expand, with a string of independent restaurants and street-food concepts opening across the city centre throughout 2026.
This Leeds bistro has been named one of the best restaurants in the UK to plan a staycation around
Clementine Hall
A much-loved neighbourhood Leeds restaurant has been given another major accolade.
There’s no shortage of brilliant places to eat in Leeds, but one Horsforth bistro has just been given a pretty huge seal of approval - and it might be worth planning your next staycation around.
The brilliant Bavette has been named one of the best neighbourhood restaurants in the UK to plan a staycation around by Condé Nast Traveller, appearing alongside a handpicked list of restaurants from across the country.
The list celebrates neighbourhood restaurants that are worth travelling for, with the magazine highlighting the growing appeal of venturing outside of busy city centres in search of smaller, more intimate places to eat.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
And Leeds has bagged itself a spot thanks to Bavette, and we can't say we're surprised.
The French-inspired neighbourhood bistro is run by chef Sandy Jarvis and his husband Clément Cousin.
Since opening in 2024, Bavette has quickly become one of the city's most talked-about restaurants, attracting diners far beyond its Horsforth home and scooping up accolades such as the 2024 Good Food Guide's Best UK Local Restaurant, a 2025 and 2026 Michelin Bib Gourmand, and a place in the 2026 National Restaurant Awards Top 100.
Condé Nast Traveller hails Bavette as "a true neighbourhood gem", saying: "The restaurant takes its cues from the couple’s London bistro roots, serving hearty yet elegant dishes made with seasonal ingredients.”
They finish by saying: "Reservations are hard to come by - but so worth it once you get your foot in the door."
We really couldn't agree more.
And while a trip to Horsforth might not technically count as a staycation for us Leeds locals, Bavette is certainly one restaurant worth crossing the city for.
Emily Sergeant -
14th February 2024 
