In today’s digital world with nearly instantaneous results, we have a tendency to overbook and over commit. It is a competition of how early we get up to go to the gym and how late we stay up to finish the newest episode of Orange is the New Black. We go to every birthday party, every leaving ‘do and never miss a workout. We never put ourselves first, which can lead us feeling tired, depressed and anxious. I say ‘enough is enough!’ It is time to take care of yourself so that you have more to give to others. Here are a few suggestions on how to administer self care. Note, these are things that make me feel better by keeping things pretty, simple, and calm.
Treat yourself- Fresh flowers aren’t just for Valentine’s Day. Prestige Flowers UK sent me a gorgeous bouquet a few weeks ago. The comments I got on Instagram were how decadent it is to have fresh flowers and others wished they had flowers too. There is nothing stopping you from picking up a beautiful bouquet every once in a while. Having them delivered was great too! They arrived in a really sturdy box whic would be manageable to carry home on public transport. I tend to pick flowers up on bank holiday weekends as I will be home for a few days in a row and can enjoy the flowers more than if I was at work.
Other treats that I enjoy once in a while include manicures with my mom or friends, trips to the cinema, and going out for a meal at my favourite resturant (aka Chipotle or Pizza Express).
Facial at the spa. So peaceful
Skip a workout- Bet you never thought a personal trainer would say this. Sometimes, you just need a night off (please do not cancel less than 24 hours before your PT appointment) to refocus. There is a worry you will fall out of your training schedule but having a night off might be just the thing you need to get your mojo back. You body will appreciate the rest too if you tend to workout more than four times a week.
Have a lie in– I dare you not to set your alarm. It is glorious.
Sleeping on the #fitbitfifty bus
Watch TV without multitasking– In my house, we are usually working on the laptop while the TV is on in the background (like I am now). But is that really an effective way to create quality work or to grasp plot of the show? Set a timer to just watch your show and chill, then get back to work.
Take a nap– It is amazing what a little power nap will do. Rest and recovery are very important when you are training, sp make sure you are getting enough of both. In addition, if you are burning the candle at both ends, you might need to be creative with your sleep schedule.
Revisit a favourite hobby– Usually we start a hobby because we enjoy it, and possibly because we are good at it. As we grow up, we loose the time to set aside for these fun pursuits. So pull out the sewing machine, dust off your SLR, or book a dance lesson to do something fun again.
I am learning how to make quilts (in all my spare time)
Call an old friend– Sure, Facebook is great and so are emails but there is nothing like chatting to a friend on the phone. People seem to be so disconnected these days with text messaging and rapid fire emails. Reconnect the old school way.
Stop comparing yourself to others and let go of FOMO- This will drive you crazy and develop self-doubt. Be proud to be you. You might not get the same experiences as everyone else but it is your life to lead.
What do you do to take care of yourself? Leave a comment below and let me know. Prestige Flowers sent me a bouquet of flowers. All views are honest and my own. They would be happy to deliver flowers for your Easter celebrations if you are looking to bring spring indoors. 🙂
In today’s digital world with nearly instantaneous results, we have a tendency to overbook and over commit. It is a competition of how early we get up to go to the gym and how late we stay up to finish the newest episode of Orange is the New Black. We go to every birthday party, every leaving ‘do and never miss a workout. We never put ourselves first, which can lead us feeling tired, depressed and anxious. I say ‘enough is enough!’ It is time to take care of yourself so that you have more to give to others. Here are a few suggestions on how to administer self care. Note, these are things that make me feel better by keeping things pretty, simple, and calm.
Treat yourself- Fresh flowers aren’t just for Valentine’s Day. Prestige Flowers UK sent me a gorgeous bouquet a few weeks ago. The comments I got on Instagram were how decadent it is to have fresh flowers and others wished they had flowers too. There is nothing stopping you from picking up a beautiful bouquet every once in a while. Having them delivered was great too! They arrived in a really sturdy box whic would be manageable to carry home on public transport. I tend to pick flowers up on bank holiday weekends as I will be home for a few days in a row and can enjoy the flowers more than if I was at work.
Other treats that I enjoy once in a while include manicures with my mom or friends, trips to the cinema, and going out for a meal at my favourite resturant (aka Chipotle or Pizza Express).
Facial at the spa. So peaceful
Skip a workout- Bet you never thought a personal trainer would say this. Sometimes, you just need a night off (please do not cancel less than 24 hours before your PT appointment) to refocus. There is a worry you will fall out of your training schedule but having a night off might be just the thing you need to get your mojo back. You body will appreciate the rest too if you tend to workout more than four times a week.
Have a lie in– I dare you not to set your alarm. It is glorious.
Sleeping on the #fitbitfifty bus
Watch TV without multitasking– In my house, we are usually working on the laptop while the TV is on in the background (like I am now). But is that really an effective way to create quality work or to grasp plot of the show? Set a timer to just watch your show and chill, then get back to work.
Take a nap– It is amazing what a little power nap will do. Rest and recovery are very important when you are training, sp make sure you are getting enough of both. In addition, if you are burning the candle at both ends, you might need to be creative with your sleep schedule.
Revisit a favourite hobby– Usually we start a hobby because we enjoy it, and possibly because we are good at it. As we grow up, we loose the time to set aside for these fun pursuits. So pull out the sewing machine, dust off your SLR, or book a dance lesson to do something fun again.
I am learning how to make quilts (in all my spare time)
Call an old friend– Sure, Facebook is great and so are emails but there is nothing like chatting to a friend on the phone. People seem to be so disconnected these days with text messaging and rapid fire emails. Reconnect the old school way.
Stop comparing yourself to others and let go of FOMO- This will drive you crazy and develop self-doubt. Be proud to be you. You might not get the same experiences as everyone else but it is your life to lead.
What do you do to take care of yourself? Leave a comment below and let me know. Prestige Flowers sent me a bouquet of flowers. All views are honest and my own. They would be happy to deliver flowers for your Easter celebrations if you are looking to bring spring indoors. 🙂
Although the songs indicate it is the most wonderful time of the year, I also find it to be completely overwhelming. Last year, I nearly called off Christmas all together when it was days before the 25th December and I hadn’t even sent out my cards yet. This year is no better, as my work is still full-on and I am fundraising for VLM (my goal was to get most of it done before my running training started in January). This time of year, I am also a single mom for Oldland because my husband has an annual 10 day work trip to Morocco. What’s a person to do? Here are my tips on surviving December:
Oldland and I on a walk
Learn to say no– whether it is another holiday drinks invite, friends looking for a place to stay, invitation to take part in a secret Santa, or a holiday pot luck, put your own needs first for once. Be honest and say you are feeling overwhelmed and can’t help out right now.
Compromise- offer to meet for drinks at a time and place that suits you, set a limit on how many days guests can stay at your flat, or buy ready made food.
Spend a day in bed watching movies and eatin junk food– I hereby give you permission to do this. Once in a great while won’t kill you.
Walk more– if you can’t get to the gym or whatever your usual exercise of choice is, take time to enjoy a walk to slow down a bit and clear your head.
Sleep– for some reason, this is always the area of our lives we cut back on when we have too much to do. Sleeping more will improve your mood, make you less hungry, and help deuce the stress hormone which increases the likelihood of abdominal fat accumulation.
Nearly sleepy time
Limit drinks– sure you want to get your money’s worth out of the open bar, but is it worth it the next day when you have a throbbing headache and can’t get anything done on your to-do list. This tip has taken me many years to perfect.
Ask for experiences rather than stuff– less clutter can lead to calming environment. Accumulate memories rather than dust and skip the return lines!
Hire help– to do housework, pay for the dry cleaner to catch u up on laundry, to assemble your new idea furnature. Your time is valuable. Delegate out a few menial jobs to your partner or to hired help.
Turn off social media– get over FOMO and live in the moment as you celebrate the holidays with family and friends.
What other suggestions do you have to avoid over-committing? How do you keep sane in December? Leave a comment below and let me know.
Although the songs indicate it is the most wonderful time of the year, I also find it to be completely overwhelming. Last year, I nearly called off Christmas all together when it was days before the 25th December and I hadn’t even sent out my cards yet. This year is no better, as my work is still full-on and I am fundraising for VLM (my goal was to get most of it done before my running training started in January). This time of year, I am also a single mom for Oldland because my husband has an annual 10 day work trip to Morocco. What’s a person to do? Here are my tips on surviving December:
Oldland and I on a walk
Learn to say no– whether it is another holiday drinks invite, friends looking for a place to stay, invitation to take part in a secret Santa, or a holiday pot luck, put your own needs first for once. Be honest and say you are feeling overwhelmed and can’t help out right now.
Compromise- offer to meet for drinks at a time and place that suits you, set a limit on how many days guests can stay at your flat, or buy ready made food.
Spend a day in bed watching movies and eatin junk food– I hereby give you permission to do this. Once in a great while won’t kill you.
Walk more– if you can’t get to the gym or whatever your usual exercise of choice is, take time to enjoy a walk to slow down a bit and clear your head.
Sleep– for some reason, this is always the area of our lives we cut back on when we have too much to do. Sleeping more will improve your mood, make you less hungry, and help deuce the stress hormone which increases the likelihood of abdominal fat accumulation.
Nearly sleepy time
Limit drinks– sure you want to get your money’s worth out of the open bar, but is it worth it the next day when you have a throbbing headache and can’t get anything done on your to-do list. This tip has taken me many years to perfect.
Ask for experiences rather than stuff– less clutter can lead to calming environment. Accumulate memories rather than dust and skip the return lines!
Hire help– to do housework, pay for the dry cleaner to catch u up on laundry, to assemble your new idea furnature. Your time is valuable. Delegate out a few menial jobs to your partner or to hired help.
Turn off social media– get over FOMO and live in the moment as you celebrate the holidays with family and friends.
What other suggestions do you have to avoid over-committing? How do you keep sane in December? Leave a comment below and let me know.
Let’s get right to it. The days are shorter. It actually is cold now. And wet. I assume you feel like I do this time of year and just wanted to stay under the duvet all day with the electric blanket on. Here are six tips on how to stay out of hibernation.
Stay warm with merino wool baselayer and socks–I discovered merino wool years ago and have never looked back. Depending on how ‘heavy’ it is, it will keep you warm in the winter and cool in the summer. It also has the unique ability to not smell because it absorbs moisture so well, meaning there isn’t an opportunity for bacteria to start growing on your skin. I particularly like the socks for the winter because cotton holds on to the moisture (either from damp weather or sweat) which makes me cold.
Drink plenty of fluid– If you don’t carry a water bottle around with you, now is the time to get on board. Hydro Flask is a vauum-insulated stainless steel bottle that keeps drinks warm or cold (they gave me one filled with ice and it lasted through the night!) so it is a perfect vessel no mater what time of year (or beverage choice). You should still be drinking plenty of water in the colder months, even though you are not sweating as much. Carrying a bottle is super-convenient and will help you measure how much you drink each day.
Note the beer flagon/growler size
See sunlight- I am still using my Lumie alarm clock which helps me wake up a bit more naturally when it is still dark outside. I also have a Seasonal Affect Disorder lamp at work which helps the entire team during the dark months. Another way to see more sunlight would be simply to head outside for a walk on your break or eat lunch outside on the sunny days.
Stay active with home workouts with Julia– If you are anything like me, once I get home and sit down, I find it hard to get out the door again for a pint of milk, let alone the gym. That is the brilliance behind Julia’s online gym. I don’t need to rush about for a class schedule or to meet a personal trainer. Julia is my coach and available anytime I need her. Join now for free and give it a try. The workouts last 20-60 minutes making them very easy to slot into your day. You can even do them at work as some don’t require equipment. Julia is currently offering her Bronze level membership for FREE so you really have nothing to loose.
A photo posted by Mollie, the Happiness PT (@ptmollie) on
Cooking with colourful vegetables this time of year. Have you tried ‘crack vegetables yet? Sure, fruits in the summer are great, but now is the time of year to dig in (see what I did there) to the root veg selection at your local grocer. Select as many different colours as possible, and heck, pick one you have never eaten before and live on the edge a bit.
Pick up an old hobby– You probably don’t feel like going out quite as much as you did the summertime. You will need a new way to fill up your time did you love to read as a child.? Or take ballroom dance lessons at uni? Or did your grandmother teach you how to knit when you visited her during summer holidays? Keeping the mind active and doing things you enjoy is just as important as being physically active. You will meet new people as you take up your favourite pastime, rediscover a lost passion, and maybe even get a confidence boost if you find you still have a talent for it. How cool would that be?
These are just a few tips and perhaps you may have heard them before. Dd you act on them? Did you take control and make positive changes to feel better and stay fit? One of my favourite quotes is ‘if you do what you have always done, you will get what you have always got.’ Remember your goal is health and happiness, so take the first step today. And of course, let me know how it goes. Hydro Flask kindly gave me their bottle to try out. All opinons are honest and my own. This post also contains affiliate links. These are at no additional cost to you, but help maintain the cost of running the blog and supporting my activewear purchases.
Let’s get right to it. The days are shorter. It actually is cold now. And wet. I assume you feel like I do this time of year and just wanted to stay under the duvet all day with the electric blanket on. Here are six tips on how to stay out of hibernation.
Stay warm with merino wool baselayer and socks–I discovered merino wool years ago and have never looked back. Depending on how ‘heavy’ it is, it will keep you warm in the winter and cool in the summer. It also has the unique ability to not smell because it absorbs moisture so well, meaning there isn’t an opportunity for bacteria to start growing on your skin. I particularly like the socks for the winter because cotton holds on to the moisture (either from damp weather or sweat) which makes me cold.
Drink plenty of fluid– If you don’t carry a water bottle around with you, now is the time to get on board. Hydro Flask is a vauum-insulated stainless steel bottle that keeps drinks warm or cold (they gave me one filled with ice and it lasted through the night!) so it is a perfect vessel no mater what time of year (or beverage choice). You should still be drinking plenty of water in the colder months, even though you are not sweating as much. Carrying a bottle is super-convenient and will help you measure how much you drink each day.
Note the beer flagon/growler size
See sunlight- I am still using my Lumie alarm clock which helps me wake up a bit more naturally when it is still dark outside. I also have a Seasonal Affect Disorder lamp at work which helps the entire team during the dark months. Another way to see more sunlight would be simply to head outside for a walk on your break or eat lunch outside on the sunny days.
Stay active with home workouts with Julia– If you are anything like me, once I get home and sit down, I find it hard to get out the door again for a pint of milk, let alone the gym. That is the brilliance behind Julia’s online gym. I don’t need to rush about for a class schedule or to meet a personal trainer. Julia is my coach and available anytime I need her. Join now for free and give it a try. The workouts last 20-60 minutes making them very easy to slot into your day. You can even do them at work as some don’t require equipment. Julia is currently offering her Bronze level membership for FREE so you really have nothing to loose.
A photo posted by Mollie, the Happiness PT (@ptmollie) on
Cooking with colourful vegetables this time of year. Have you tried ‘crack vegetables yet? Sure, fruits in the summer are great, but now is the time of year to dig in (see what I did there) to the root veg selection at your local grocer. Select as many different colours as possible, and heck, pick one you have never eaten before and live on the edge a bit.
Pick up an old hobby– You probably don’t feel like going out quite as much as you did the summertime. You will need a new way to fill up your time did you love to read as a child.? Or take ballroom dance lessons at uni? Or did your grandmother teach you how to knit when you visited her during summer holidays? Keeping the mind active and doing things you enjoy is just as important as being physically active. You will meet new people as you take up your favourite pastime, rediscover a lost passion, and maybe even get a confidence boost if you find you still have a talent for it. How cool would that be?
These are just a few tips and perhaps you may have heard them before. Dd you act on them? Did you take control and make positive changes to feel better and stay fit? One of my favourite quotes is ‘if you do what you have always done, you will get what you have always got.’ Remember your goal is health and happiness, so take the first step today. And of course, let me know how it goes. Hydro Flask kindly gave me their bottle to try out. All opinons are honest and my own. This post also contains affiliate links. These are at no additional cost to you, but help maintain the cost of running the blog and supporting my activewear purchases.
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