Slow and steady wins the race, right? Instead of trying to change your life in one go, implement one of these small daily tasks into your self-care routine every week. By the end of the year, you’ll be the happiest and healthiest person!
#SelfcareSunday. Instead of repeating ‘I don’t have time for myself‘ again and again, make ‘Self-care is not selfish‘ your Sunday mantra. Put aside all other things and do what you really love: apply a mask, read a book (here are some great reading recommendations from our editors), go gardening or cook a delicious healthy lunch. For just this one day. You deserve it.
Drink your vitamins. Be it a lemon in your morning glass of water or frozen berries in your water bottle on a hike – find new easy ways to consume more vitamins on a daily basis.
Declutter. Damn, does it feel good! Be it a pile of shoes by the door this week, a messy closet next week or your pantry in a month – decluttering always brings so much joy. Here a whole list of it’s definitely time to get rid of.
Hold a plank. You might be too busy or too tired for a proper workout – we get it! But you definitely have 30 seconds in your day for a plank! You can even do it while watching one of the best TV shows 2019. It’s such a great exercise that engages basically your entire body! Aim to increase your time in plank for 10 seconds every week.
Save money. Every time you resist the temptation to buy takeaway coffee, take the road instead of a toll road or purchase something with a discount, transfer the amount you’ve saved to your savings account. Every dollar counts! You’ll be surprised how much money you might’ve wasted in a year. Here are some other money-saving tips to retire a millionaire.
Manicure and pedicure. When your nails are on point – your whole life is on point!
Read a magazine. Reading books is great but some books can be so thought-provoking and brutal, they will keep you up all night what you’ve just read. Rather get of reading light, entertaining, inspiring magazines instead. You can subscribe to focus, for example, and get it delivered to your letterbox every second month!
Contrast shower. Switch to cold water for a few seconds for a big burst of energy that releases endorphins to keep you in a good mood for the rest of the day.
Look away. We spend so much time in front of various screens – not surprisingly our eyes are constantly tired and our vision gets blurred. Next time you’re working, set a timer for 30 minutes and then spend 20 s looking into the distance to give your eyes a break.
Drink tea. Green tea lowers cholesterol levels, black tea lowers the risk of developing heart disease. You’ve got the idea – drink more tea!
Aromatherapy. Bathroom diffusers, bedroom aroma candles, body oils – how often do we think of them and how rarely do we actually use them! And the power of aromatherapy can’t be over-exaggerated. Buy yourself something with a scent that brings back your best memories and enjoy it every time you enter the room. Here are some of the amazing scented candles we absolutely love.
Journaling. This is one of the best habits for your mental health! Be it a gratitude list in bed or daily goals in the morning – commit to 10-15 minutes of writing in your notebook each day.
Lunchtime stroll. A 15-minute midday walk improves your concentration and energy for the rest of the day.
Unfollow toxic people. Someone on Instagram who really annoys you. Someone who constantly reminds you of all the things you haven’t done or goals you haven’t achieved. Someone who makes you jealous, insecure or sad. Unfollow them! Unfollow them immediately! Instagram was created to inspire and motivate and if it gives you the opposite emotions, it’s time to clean your feed. Join our Instagram workshops in February to learn more about how you can use Instagram to your advantage.
And catch up with besties instead! When was the last time you had a girls’ night out? Or any time of the day out, actually? Text your girlfriends and invite them for a healthy brunch or not so healthy margaritas.
Study. Learning is the best exercise for the (yes, it’s not only our muscles that need it!) So enroll a course that will boost your career or kick-start a new hobby.
Get into gardening. Research shows, that people who take care of plants are generally healthier and happier than those who don’t. Plant tomatoes outside or bring a wee flower pot home.
Fancy lifestyle. There are so many small ways to improve your daily life – buy yourself a $25 Kmart milk frother to replace the boring morning americano with a fancy cappuccino, use the silver forks you received as a wedding gift every night instead of waiting for a ‘special occasion’, wear your best blouse to the supermarket. It’s your life and there won’t be a second one, so use things, enjoy things and live life to its fullest, here and now! You don’t need a reason, YOU ARE A REASON!
Be alone. Not forever, of course! As a recent study shows, just 15 minutes of time spent on your own, during the day, leads to more relaxation and less stress. You can, in fact, combine this with journaling, drinking tea or walking at lunchtime – just make sure you’re really focused on breathing deeply, structuring your thoughts and enjoying the silence.
8-hour sleep. We don’t need to remind you how crucial a good 8-hours sleep is for your health, skin and mental health, do we? Here are some cool apps to help you sleep better.
Volunteer. That’s the most rewarding and joyful experience! Join one of the local charity organisations, go out and clean the beach or donate your time to help with an important local event. Helping others also reduces anxiety!
Enjoy your dessert. Yes, you CAN and you SHOULD have it every day, as long as you’re really enjoying the treat instead of blaming yourself for not sticking to your eating goals. If you want that cookie and you’re gonna eat it – make sure you eat it with a smile of appreciation.
Plan a vacation. Even if you don’t have time and money to actually book it (just yet), researching new places is a perfect way to feel more inspired and motivated. Who knows, you might as well end up booking a holiday after all!
Massage. Book a relaxing aroma massage or simply do a shorter at-home version by massaging your head or tired feet for a inutes.
Podcasts. Educational, entertaining, crime podcasts – there are so many to choose from these days! Find something that’ll make your laundry day a bit more exciting. By the way, did you know that our mood shifts to match the tone of voice we’re hearing? If you haven’t been feeling your best lately, opt for something inspirational.
Create. A hobby, an act of creating something makes us feel happier and more enthusiastic not only that day but also the next – studied and confirmed by The University of Otago! Play the piano, draw a painting or knit – do something with your hands and don’t worry about the quality, it’s the process that matters.
Slow mornings. Resist the urge to hit that snooze button! Wake up earlier, shower without rushing, decorate your breakfast beautifully with seeds and fresh berries (new ways of consuming vitamins, remember?), chew it slowly, froth your milk for coffee or let your tea sit for three minutes for the best . Slow mornings with rituals like this and no smartphones in sight inspire and us.
Say ‘No’. Extra work duties, post-work cocktails or non work-related for friends and family – your FOMO (Fear Of Missing Out) automatically ‘Yes’ to everything? Learn to say ‘No’ without feeling guilty.
Look at the stars. Seriously, we’re the luckiest people in the world – every clear night there are literally thousands of stars to be seen above New Zealand! But how often do we really lift our eyes up and appreciate the beauty of our Universe? Do it next time you’re out late.
Dance. Dance while you’re doing dishes, take a bachata class or go to a bar on Friday night. Dancing makes us happy!
Explore. Go to a museum or art gallery and learn something new there.
Order your groceries. Does paying someone to deliver your meat and veggies seems way too frivolous and luxurious? Oh come on, you’re working hard, trying to do 34 hours of tasks in 24 hours (well, in 16 hours, in fact – we hope you’re taking our 8-hour sleep recommendation seriously!), you more than deserve a few hours of relaxation and more pleasant activities than strolling the aisles and lifting heavy bags.
Don’t slouch. Such a small, yet nasty habit! Time to focus on standing up straight and feeling taller, stronger and more confident. It also makes you e deeper and thus less stressed.