Make the most of your extra day this leap year

Today is February 29, which happens only once every four years. To celebrate, Carly Hobbs reveals 29 things to do on this rather special day

1

Propose The most famous leap year tradition, dating back to the fifth century, is women being ‘allowed’ to propose on this day. Of course these days ladies can pop whatever question, whenever they like, to whoever they like, however if you’re a traditionalist why not choose yourself a ring and take the lead?

2

Eco action Do good green deeds by nabbing a nappy delivery subscription from Pura

( from £18 for 132 nappies, pura. com). They’re partnered with NappiCycle, taking away old nappies and recycling them into new roads.

3

Tidy up “Conquer decluttering,” suggests Hester Van Hien, founder of tidylicious.com. “Choose one room, working your way through it clockwise. Divide all items into piles such as paperwork, clothes and cables. Separate items you love or use, discarding the rest.”

4

Get spiritual Tap into your spiritual side, booking a Zoom session with Fiongal Greenlaw-Meek (wellnessfoundry.com), who uses tarot and spirit guides to give business advice, health readings and aura diagnosis.

5

Raise money Support The Huntington’s Disease Association’s Odds & Socks Day, raising money for people affected by the disorder. Visit hda.org.uk

6

Explore locally The free Playsee app flags up fun, mindful or unique things to do as close to you as possible. Bespoke suggestions factor in local conditions and everything’s on an interactive map.

7

Pamper yourself Smooth on the super-hydrating Sol de Janeiro Delicia Drench Body Butter, £21 (Space NK). The scent of hibiscus makes you feel like you popped to Brazil.

8

Look back “Reflect on how far you’ve come,” says wellness coach Adam Goodman-Smith (thewayofthediva.com). “What were you doing on February 29, 2020? List five ways you’ve progressed over the last four years, then set five goals to take you to the next leap year.”

9

Try pickleball This is a hybrid of tennis, badminton and table tennis played by the Kardashians and Leonardo DiCaprio. Pickleball England have reported a recent 65 per cent increase in membership. Find your nearest match at pickelballengland.org

10

Family day out Celebrate Peppa Pig’s 20th anniversary by seeing Peppa’s Cinema Party (peppapigcinemaparty.com). It’s an hour-long showing of 10 exclusive episodes, including a three-part special starring Katy Perry and Orland Bloom.

11

Bend and stretch “Work your body and mind with the boat yoga pose,” says celebrity PT Tyrone Brennand (@bethefittest). “Sit with your knees bent and feet on the floor, then tip backwards onto the top of your bum, raise your feet and arms to knee height. Hold for five deep, slow breaths. Afterwards, sit crossed legged, relax and breathe. Repeat three times.”

12

Make a time capsule Select a key story from the newspaper or photos that create a snapshot of 2024 so far and a favourite trinket. Use a box covered in watertight wrapping and hide it somewhere, noting down where you left it.

13

Do absolutely nothing It can be a real treat to kick back, so why not enjoy some downtime?

14

Eye TLC Help your eyes beat yoyo weather, central heating and allergens with Peep Club Eye Lidstick, £15 (peepclub. com). It glides over the lids, with oat ceramides to support the skin barrier and borage oil to calm inflammation.

15

Get ready to date In a romantic rut? Try kindlingdating.com for 10-minute dating detoxes and advice. Choose from topics like Detox The Fairy-tale and Detox The Exes.

Each one is made up of a mini talk and journaling exercise.

16

Look at the stars Want to learn more about the night sky? Head to the Leap Year Night Walk and Stargazing at The Carrachs Dark Sky Discovery Site, Aberdeenshire ( free, eventbrite.co. uk) to look at the stars, planets, and constellations.

17

Go refillable The latest estrid.com refillable razor in Onyx looks good and it does good too. You pay a £7.95 subscription for razor drop offs, deciding how often they’re automatically sent out to you in fully recyclable packaging.

18

Embrace intimacy “Make space for anticipation with your partner,” advises Emily King, sex and relationships expert at my-bliss.co.uk. “This is especially important for those long-term relationships where love and stability are easy to come by, but erotic tension isn’t. Deep, openmouthed kissing, pulling back when things get steamy, is a great anticipation starter.”

19

Visit the West End In London Book in for a musical night of blues, rock and pop at Leap Year Revels at the Brunel Museum (£15, eventbrite.co.uk).

20

The everything shower Indulge in an everything shower: go for playlist, hair removal, deep hair conditioning mask, body scrub and a double cleanse.

21

Pucker up Decide if you’re a red or a pink lip look lover with the new Charlotte Tilbury Hollywood Beauty Icon Lipsticks. We love 90s Pink, rumoured to be Kate Moss’s favourite, and Cinematic Red, £27 each (charlottetilbury.com).

22

Magic number A leap year is viewed by many spiritual communities as a rare combination of numbers, meaning awakening, enlightenment and energy possibilities. Delve into the mysteries at Embrace the Magic of Runes, Broughton Hall, Skipton, Yorkshire (£10, eventbrite.co.uk).

23

Sign up to a course Expand your mind and skill set by doing a one-day, free course at coursera.org. Choose from the likes of Introduction to Psychology, Diplomacy in The Modern World and What Is the Metaverse?

24

Pick a scent Visit your local beauty hall, taking your time to try all the perfumes. How about a fiery pink peppercorn pop in Boss The Scent Elixir for Her, £89 at John Lewis?

25

Party time Host a leap day party. Yes it’s a Thursday, but it only comes round every four years.

26

Write a letter Use futureme.org to write a letter to your future self, setting a reminder to have it delivered to your inbox in four years’ time.

27

Digital detox “Go the whole day without using your phone,” challenges Ryan Hopkins, author of 52 Weeks Of Wellbeing (Kogan Page). “Ensure close friends/ family know not to worry and enjoy taking the pressure off.”

28

Volunteer Check out FareShare, the UK’s biggest charity tackling food waste for social good. Their teams sort out supermarket and surplus food which is going to be thrown away, delivering it to local charities each week. Visit fareshare.org.uk/ volunteer.

29

Set a fitness goal Why not promise yourself to get fit and see where you’re at on February 29, 2028? Treat yourself to a Peloton for unlimited indoor cycling and motivational classes. Refurbished bikes start from £995, visit onepeloton.co.uk

‘‘ Reflect on how far you’ve come. What were you doing on Feb 29, 2020?