Category Archives: Self care

Self care

Fun ways to incorporate exercise even when you hate it

Are you making an effort to be more active? If yes then this is for you…

I am an advocate for doing what makes you feel good , whether that is putting on a pretty dress, chucking on some lippie, going out for a walk to get some air and stretch your legs or going to the local diner for a burger.

There’s overwhelming evidence that leading an active lifestyle can help to reduce the chances of illnesses in later life, as well as giving you more energy so at 34 (nearly 35) I’m hoping I can make a small difference and trying to be a but more active.

Up until about a week ago the amount of exercise I was doing outside of living every day life was zero and as I’m getting but older I’m starting to feel like my body is struggling more so I have started adding extra walking into my routine just get my body moving a bit more.

The recommended amount of exercise is dependant on the individual, but you’ll be able to feel a difference by just doing more than you are now, again if exercise is something you are trying to do more of then an increase in any activity will make a difference. I think fun activities alone or with the family make exercise more bearable and something to look forward to.

I recently found a beautiful park not too far from where I live that is perfect for me to walk in as it has a lot to look at so I don’t get bored.
If you don’t have the time to schedule vigorous exercise into your day, there are some easy ways to incorporate more movement into your day.

Most of us have smart phones now and carry them with us throughout the day. So monitoring your steps and making it a light hearted competition between friends or family can be a fun way to increase exercise with feeling like it’s being forced on you. I like to keep track of my steps because I personally need to see improvement so I don’t feel like I’m doing all this for nothing.

Getting off the bus a stop or two early to get some extra steps in or even walking instead of taking the bus, especially when the weather is as nice as it is now is also a really good way of adding more movement in without designated exercises. Riding a bike to work or going out for bike rides alone or with the kids or friends can be a really fun way to get moving.

Activities with your children will always be more fun than feeling like a chore so it’s a great way to be more active and if your children love the outdoors then you’re already half way there. I always thought adding exercise into my life would be torturous and feel like I’m forcing myself so I’m trying really hard to make it fun so it’s something that will fit into life neatly and be sustainable.

I am all for being exactly how you want to be and doing as much or as little activity as you want. I go through phases of wanting to be more active and then not wanting to do anything at all. At the moment I’m just trying to move my body more because it feels like it needs it.

Self care

Self care – Growing your own garden

Here on my blog I’ve been talking about self care a lot recently because I think it’s so important and it’s been helping me a lot. I practice self care in many ways and some of those things wouldn’t be considered self care by other people but it’s just what I need. Sometimes I lock myself up in my room with a fantasy book and a warm blanket because the outside world is a bit too much. Sometimes I leave all my work unfinished and go to the park and walk by the stream because I like the sound and the sun on my face. There are so many ways to carve out a little time for yourself when you need it even if it seems a little indulgent or selfish you have to remind yourself that you’re important and so is your mental health.

Since moving up to the Midlands from London I now have a large garden and it’s a huge change from the concrete slabs we called a garden where I lived in Central London. At first I found it a little overwhelming because I’ve never had to care for a garden before or even have a conversation with a gardener, but now we have a little routine with a local gardener and things run smoothly and the garden looks lush but there are no flowers or plants it’s just well maintained grass. When I’m out in the park I always appreciate the flowers and its made me consider creating a small area in my garden to grow things in. I’m not even sure what I’d like to grow but the thought of creating something out of nothing and it being all mine sounds amazing and the time alone with nature sounds a lot like self care to me.

I’m not crazy I don’t plan on turning my entire garden into a landscapers dream I just want a few little things that I can tend to a watch flourish. I have a lot to learn about what things need what kind of care and what grows best when so I’ve been taking notice of advice like the image below from trago to give me an idea of when is the best time of year to get started for the best chances of success. I think herbs would be a good place to start as I get to grow something and then actually put it use when cooking. Think I’d feel a bit like a hunter gatherer lol and that’s pretty cool.

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Do any of you have herb Gardens and any suggestions for me? Ideally something that would be good for a beginner.

Self care

7 Hacks for Getting Healthy

The key to good health for a lifetime is, according to experts, lifestyle medicine. This includes making simple alterations to your stress management, exercise, and diet. To assist you with turning that into results, we’ve put this manageable list of wellness and health suggestions together.

Quit Smoking

This is beneficial not just for your health but for the health of everyone around you. When you quit smoking, you aren’t breathing in the harmful smoke and breathing harmful chemicals out for others to breathe in as second-hand smoke. Yes, people use smoking as a form of stress management, but there are other things that can serve the purpose just as well and that are healthier for you.

Exercise

We all know that exercise keeps you healthy, but how? Exercise works to keep your rate of metabolism high. This is something that just naturally slows down as we age, and this makes it more difficult to keep those extra pounds off as we get older. Luckily, working out on a regular basis will help you increase the number of calories you burn, and this helps you with maintaining a healthy, steady, weight.

Think Positive

Having a healthy and positive attitude assists with building an immune system that’s healthier and it also boosts your overall health. Positive thinking also plays a massive role in the management of stress. Remember that your body will believe what you think, so you need to focus on the positive as much as possible.

Eat Your Veggies

You should strive to ingest about five helpings of vegetables on a daily basis. It doesn’t matter if they’re stir-fried, steamed, or raw. A diet that’s high in veggies has been associated with a reduction in the risk of developing certain types of cancer that include but are not limited to ovarian, pancreatic, bladder, and stomach, just to name a few. Many of the nutrients that are the most powerful are those with bold colors, like leafy greens, grapes, tomatoes, and carrots, etc.

The Five Meal Ideal

How much, when, and what you eat can keep both your energy levels and your metabolism elevated steadily, so you’ll end up with more energy that lasts all day long. The five-meal ideal will assist you with managing your weight, avoiding cravings, maintaining your focus, and keeping your cool. Just try to have five smaller meals a day as opposed to 3 larger ones.

Sleep

If you’re the type of person who has difficulty sleeping, you might want to try a relaxation technique or two, like yoga or meditation. Another tip is to have a small snack at bedtime of foods that have been shown to assist with shifting the body and mind into sleep mode, like chamomile tea, cherries, oatmeal, or whole grain cereal in milk. Make your room darker and turn the clock so that it faces away from you. Write any stressful thoughts or worries down to clear your mind. This assists with putting them into perspective and you’ll be more likely to quit worrying about them.

Get Satisfied

Both physical activity and eating are sensory experiences that are fun. In both of these, you should strive for pleasure as opposed to pain. Be attentive to the foods you eat and their nutritional value, as well as your sense of fatigue, exhilaration, tension, and relaxation when it’s time to eat. Check in on yourself while you’re eating to rekindle your recognition of satisfaction, fullness, and hunger when you’re thinking about how much and when to eat.

There you have it. Seven hacks that will get you feeling healthier in no time. All that’s left is for you to choose one or two of them and get started!

Self care

How To Make Changes That Last

Forget about New Year’s Resolutions they’re long gone, when you want to make changes in your life you can do so any time you choose but sometimes even when you know you need to do something differently, start making some good choices or change up your life you can find yourself resisting. Why are we so resistant to change, even when we know it’s for the best?

We take a look at some tips to making stress-free changes in your life that will help you reach your life goals and stay changed now and on into the future.

 

Figure out the roadblocks

In actual fact you probably, deep down, do know what’s holding you back from starting that training course, applying for that course or cutting out a toxic person from your life. Nine times out of ten, it boils down to feeling afraid, fear of failing and possibly feeling foolish for even trying it in the first place.

But whether you’re changing your life or restyling your bathroom with Tap Warehouse you also know that change is good a thing and at times necessary for your future happiness and success.

We resist change for fear of getting it wrong, worried about making a wrong decision and failing but when we stand back and explore this more logically we can start unpacking and thinking about change in better, more positive ways.

 

Picture the end goal

If you’re hoping to get a better job, you know that there will be a few hurdles you’re going to need to climb over before you get there. It’s rare that a dream career just falls into your lap.

Yes, you might well find that you’re rejected from the first five, ten or even twenty job interviews but if you have your endgame in mind, you’ll be spurred on to figure out what the problem is and take the appropriate action to make your chances much better.

You might have to start some training or get some work experience but when you’re feeling strongly motivated, that’s when you’re at your most effective so make sure you’re keeping your eye on the bigger picture.

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Image courtesy of Pexels

 

Pick your battles

When you’re looking through lifestyle blogs it might feel that the list of changes you want to make are endless. That’s where you need to step back and focus in on the kind of change that is going to have the biggest impact on your life. Sure being a more ethical shopper is important and becoming more mindful will help you feel more in control and less stressed but if you need to enrol on that university degree course after years of putting it off, then that’s what you need to zoom in on.

Put aside your self-doubt or the fact that it seems too big and start making those changes that are going to lead to a happier, more confident, more determined you. Start today and see where positive change will take you tomorrow.

 

 

Self care

Inner vs. Outer Beauty

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How we look on the outside is important, in the modern world, particularly in the selfie-culture many people live in.  What was once you looking your best for the people you bumped into within a day, meaning, it didn’t really matter all that much if you looked a bit plain or rough that particular day… today, you could be captured and shared throughout a whole host of social media channels – meaning, that one ‘bad hair day’ is not a single day, it’s a permanent snapshot of who you are.

 

More people today, than ever before are looking to improve their cosmetic appearance, and treatments are becoming increasingly affordable and convenient, for instance, Vaaesthetics – Lip Fillers can enhance your smile (or pout) in a very cost effective way.  No longer do you need invasive surgery, as the biggest growth within cosmetics tends to be within non-surgical treatments. Things don’t have to be as extreme as any cosmetic enhancements, adding to or changing up your makeup routine can also help you feel more beautiful and can do wonders for bringing out your outer beauty and using organic makeup brands can help you feel good about yourself, thus helping with your inner beauty.  

That said, we can all get a bit too consumed with how we look, and for that reason this article  is going to take a look at ways to improve your inner beauty – as the thing that leaves the most lasting impression, on others, is how you make them feel on the inside… not how attractive you look!

Here’s three things to consider focusing on, to enhance your inner beauty.

 

BE A GIVER

A lot of people tend to operate from a paradigm of what’s in it for them – they are focused much more on what they receive, rather than what they give out… yet, interestingly the people we tend to be drawn toward the most are those that are energetically generous; meaning they take an interest in us.

See, being a giver doesn’t have to involve giving  gifts or money – it can be as simple as compliments or small acts of service such as scraping the snow off a neighbour’s drive, when you know they have a bad back.

The top tip, therefore, is to focus more on creating value for others and see all your interactions as a place to give rather than a place to get.

 

 

LAUGH MORE

The benefits of smiling and laughing are significant; they include health benefits such as greater immunity, hormone regulation, and even a longer life – yet, more than anything, the person that laughs and smiles is attractive on both the inside and outside.

We all like someone that can make us smile, particularly if we are feeling down, in fact one of the greatest gifts of a good friend is the ability to make you laugh when you’re feeling too serious – particularly if you’re going through something like a break-up.

Now, you don’t need to be the life and soul of the party;  you just need to embrace the power of getting into a state where you naturally feel more happy and adopt a more positive approach to life.


HAVE A POSITIVE IMPACT

In a nutshell, when you leave people, places and things better than the state you first find them in, you are having a positive impact; this doesn’t need to be a  big thing, it could be as simple as picking up a piece of litter.

 

 

Self care

4 natural ways to give yourself an energy boost

The lives we lead are busy, whether it’s work, family, kids and other commitments, by the time we finally sink into bed we either don’t get our eight recommended hours of sleep or we just wake up feeling grotty and unrefreshed. Sleep is something we all want but very few of us get so many of us are looking for other ways to get a much needed energy boost to get them through the day.

You might be thinking of a trip to the spa to refresh your tired skin, or you might have found the best under eye concealer to hide the bags, but have you considered some natural ways to give yourself an energy boost?

Step away from the energy drinks and caffeine and read on for 4 totally natural ways to give yourself an energy boost.

Take yourself for a walk

It might seem like the worse thing you can do if you’re feeling low on energy, but taking a walk gets the blood pumping, the fresh air wakes up your mind and you’ll feel great afterwards. Don’t worry, you’re not expected to have a three mile hike – that would be counterproductive…but if you’ve run out of milk, walk to the nearest shop instead of driving to the bigger store several miles away. Need to book an appointment? Take your phone with you and make the call when you’re on your walk. Anyone can fit a quick stroll into their routine. Give it a try.

Peppermint

We think of essential oils and aromatherapy as calming and relaxing ways to destress. So perhaps not the first place you would look for a pick me up. Well, some essential oils and fragrances have the opposite effect! The most powerful? Peppermint! Peppermint has amazing properties that make us feel more awake and it smells delicious. You can incorporate it into your day by chewing peppermint gum, using peppermint body wash in your morning shower, or even sniffing some peppermint oil at your desk at work.

Drink. Water of course.

When we fail to replenish just 1.5 percent of the water and fluid we lose from our bodies, it’s a one way ticket to tired town. But the good news is that keeping hydrated it easy and free! The trick to drinking water on the go is to invest in a gorgeous reusable water bottle that you can keep with you at all times. If it fits in your bag – even better! And if plain water isn’t your thing, then don’t worry – add some fresh fruit in there for a taste infusion or even a squeeze of lemon to give it a zing. And speaking of lemons…

Lemon

If you need an instant pick me up, then slice up some lemon and have a suck on some of the wedges. It might sound like a terrible idea but that tart citrus flavour will certainly pop those tired eyes wide open! It’s also packed with vitamin C – so your immune system gets a boost too.  

 

Self care

3 Steps for a More Positive Approach to Life

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Life can be great, especially if we’ve got our ducks in a row and we’re doing the kinds of things we want to do, with the kinds of people we like, and are finding new and fulfilling reasons to get out of bed every morning and throw ourselves into the adventure of the day.

 Then again, life can be pretty miserable at other times; such as when our health is faltering, and our plans aren’t bearing fruit.

 While there are always steps we can take to improve things; such as refining our habits, and redecorating our homes with goods from montgomery.co.uk, it’s not uncommon to find that we often end up feeling melancholy and negative even if things are generally going pretty well.

 If that sounds at all like you, here are some tips for acquiring a more positive and feel-good approach to life.

 

Getting in the habit of arguing with your negative thinking

 At the root of much, if not all, of our pessimism and negativity, is habitual, ongoing negative thinking. This kind of negative thinking can occur at any moment, and tends to affect just about every aspect of our lives.

 We may start off by having breakfast, but then notice that one piece of toast is a bit more burnt than we would have liked. “Breakfast’s ruined, I just keep messing everything up” might be the negative thought process that goes along with the event.

 The psychologist Martin Seligman, famous for his work on positivity and his book “Learned Optimism” pointed out the importance of arguing against your negative thinking on a regular basis.

 If you notice yourself spiralling into negative thinking, first identify the event that triggered the negative thought. Then identify the negative belief. Then identify the negative effects of that belief (depression, for example), then dispute that belief. Is there a different way of looking at things? Could you be wrong?

 

Remember that how you think about the world affects how you see and experience it

 Studies have found evidence that the way you think about the world, and the things you pay attention to, change the way you see the world, literally.

 But you don’t even need scientific studies to realise that this is true. Consider the following example:

 If someone asks you to look around the room intensively for 10 seconds, and count as many blue objects as you can see, and then, once the buzzer has gone off, they ask you how many red objects you saw, what will be your answer?

 Clearly, you either wouldn’t have noticed or wouldn’t have paid attention to the red objects. It’s the same with our emotions. If you look only for the negative, you won’t see the positive.

 Keep reminding yourself that you don’t see the world “accurately” so you may as well see it optimistically.

 

Practice mindfulness meditation to get some space away from your thoughts

 Mindfulness meditation is an ancient practice which has the ability to open up a bit of space between us and our thoughts, by training us to observe them in a non-judgemental way, while directing our attention towards a specific point of focus.

 Many services, apps, and books exist to teach the basics of meditation.

 According to research, regular meditation really can change the brain in some fundamental ways that make us feel less controlled by our thoughts.

 

Self care

5 Ways to Look After Yourself in 2018

Did you make any New Year’s resolutions this January? While the first month of the year may almost be over, it’s still important to remember to look after yourself. Of course, self-care might not always be at the top of your list of priorities, but at the end of the day, it should be one of the most important parts of your daily routine.

Looking after yourself is essential, not least because it helps to combat stress and reduce levels of anxiety. Even just a few minutes of dedicated ‘me’ time a day has the ability to do wonders for your mental and physical wellbeing – something which is increasingly important in today’s fast-paced world.

The first step towards creating a better self-care routine is to realise the need for looking after yourself. Once you understand exactly why it is so important, it’s then much easier to go about working to incorporate self-care into your daily routine.

So, to give you some inspiration and get you started on the road to a happier, more relaxed you, here are five ways you can look after yourself this year.

Pamper Yourself

There’s nothing quite like a relaxing pamper session to get you feeling good about yourself! Whether it’s a pamper night at home or with a few friends, even something as simple as a facemask and a manicure or pedicure can help you to look good and feel great. If you’re really feeling the stress, why not treat yourself to a massage or a spa day? 5 Ways to Look After Yourself in 2018 2

 

Indulge Your Taste Buds

When you’re feeling down, treating yourself to your favourite comfort food is a surefire way to provide an instant pick-me-up. Of course, it’s still important to eat well, but allowing yourself the occasional treat will make it seem all the more worthwhile. If drinks are more your thing, enjoying a delicious mug of luxury coffee is a great excuse to take five minutes out of your day. Click here to discover the perfect blend of coffee to suit your tastes! 5 Ways to Look After Yourself in 2018 1

Cross Something off Your Bucket List

Nowadays, almost everyone has a bucket list and the desire to mark items off the list is as strong as ever. Of course, some items are much easier to achieve than others, but the beauty of a bucket list is the freedom it allows you to work through the list in your own time. One of the most popular bucket list items is travel – whether it’s to revisit a favourite location or make new memories in a brand new part of the world, perhaps 2018 could be the year you head out on an adventure?

Make Time for the People Who Matter

When our daily lives are so busy, it can be all too easy to forget to leave time for the people who mean the most to us. Not only are friends great for having a catch-up, but positive social interaction can also bring a helpful boost to your mental wellbeing and levels of happiness. Pass the phone – it’s time to organise that long-overdue girly night!

Don’t Overwork Yourself

Last but certainly not least, it’s important to learn how to create a good balance between work and leisure time. Just as too much leisure time can leave you feeling demotivated and unsuccessful, trying to cram too much into your day and work on too many things at once can spell disaster for your peace of mind. If you are feeling stressed, it might be time to assess your workload and see what actually needs to be done. Organising things in terms of their priority order can be a great way to ensure that nothing important gets missed while leaving you the opportunity to spend some time on yourself for a change!

At the end of the day, there’s nothing that can set you up better for a long week than an hour relaxing on a Sunday night. Taking the time to do the things that you want to do is a surefire way to experience the rewards of self-care. While it may seem unnecessary to begin with, you will soon start to feel the benefits and begin the journey towards a more relaxed lifestyle.