Last month we brought you 10 ways to make your wellbeing a priority in the lead up to Christmas… as 25th December gets closer you might just need to read it on repeat!
We’re keeping the theme of self care going this month too by sharing more tips and some products that can help – after all, it is our mission to help you remember to keep your self care routines going all year, not just at busy times.
Find a sleep routine that works for you
Making sleep a priority isn’t easy we know, and we are all different so you need to find your own groove, but the benefits are definitely worth it. We have a range of product that can help, from bath soak, to pillow spray; sleep masks to caffeine free tea.
We all know that switching devices off an hour before bed helps too, why not pick up a good book or put some relaxing music on, or to apps such as Calm, meditation or just anything that unwinds your mind.
Get moving
Keep on moving – it doesn’t have to be a chore, move your body in ways which feel good to you.
Stretching your muscles not only feels good, it also does good e.g for mental wellbeing, preventing injuries, improving posture and increasing flexibility. You could get into a habit of stretching at home, booking a local yoga class OR doing a virtual Yoga or stretch session via video sharing apps/ sites. Have a look at our blog post which explains why yoga is so good for you – there are also a few links to routines we love too.
Walk – make this more about your mind than your body with a gentle stroll and a few mindful moments along the way. What can you see? What can you hear? What can you feel? Tuning in to these things help you tune out other stresses and anxieties in your mind.
Set boundaries
Know how much time and energy you can give to other people and/ or to tasks without affecting your wellbeing, ensuring you’re not spreading yourself too thin (you’re allowed to say no you know!).
We can be so much in our heads that it’s easy to feel overwhelmed, writing it down can help to ease the pressure plus will give clarity too. Planning things out is one way plus there’s journaling too. Feeling in control by having a plan, plus working through any unrest by reflecting when needed. Gratitude journals are known to improve your mental wellbeing, with science telling us it’s impossible to feel negative emotions when you are giving gratitude.
Shut the world out
Do what makes you happy- You’ve most likely heard this many times before but self care really isn’t selfish, it’s about giving back to yourself – plus giving your best self to others – in mind, body and soul.
Cosy up – shut the door light the candles, snuggle up under a blanket, wear your cosiest bed socks, make a drink and pop your favourite TV show on – you know that guilty pleasure that no one else wants to watch with you! Self care at its best.
Choose a candle that appeals to you whether the scent uplifts you, or calms and soothes; eat chocolate that you don’t have to share…
Self care isn’t all about time out and unwinding your mind, it can be just as much about setting boundaries and mindset too. Take things (or people!) there to test us for example, practicing self care could mean learning to say no or having tricky conversations to feel good going forward… OR it could be about learning to compromise as well. Managing relationships needn’t always mean causing conflict- following the path of least resistance can reduce the risk of stress perfectly at times when you just don’t need it. Whether that’s a PJ day with more tv than you’d normally allow, fast food when cooking feels too much, (occasionally) handing the remote over to someone else, and so many other things where compromise creates harmony.
Right, we’re off for a walk, with hot chocolate, without our devices, with pjs on (well, maybe not), stretches half way round followed by a good nights sleep… We’d love to know which of these you’ll be making time to do, find us on social media or email us if you do give them a go.