20 selfcare tips

This year, more than any other, selfceare has been a huge topic of conversation. But despite living through a global pandemic it is always important to look after yourself and take selfceare seriously. For us to continue to perform to the standards we wish - whether that is being a full time mum, or working in the fast paced corporate world, taking time for yourself is seriously important. The most important thing to remember is to NOT feel guilty. this is a pretty common thought for many but everyone needs a time out - to indulge in ones self, if you can’t look after yourself how can you expect to look after anyone else? We all have very different lifestyles and some of us are able to take a full day to re set and recharge and some of us only have a quick half an hour to re set and re charge. Whatever your time frame I have a little something for you all.

1.sleep

Everyone can do this. Getting a good nights sleep is the 1st step in looking after yourself. Having a good nights sleep increases productivity and concentration as well as improving athletic performance meaning you will gain more from your work outs. Having a solid 7-9 hours sleep also helps strengthen your immune system, as when you’re asleep your body heals, repairs, regenerates and recovers which helps your body fight off infections. All in all sleep is super important for us and our ability to perform. If sleep is something you struggle with then check out my blog about podcasts recommendations as I talk about a great podcast that helps you drop off to sleep.

2. tech detox

I find this so important. We get so consumed by social media and being on our phones or laptops that we find time is passing us by and we haven’t made those memories that we wish to because we have our heads stuck in our phone - I am totally guilty of this. Taking a day off your phone is a great way to focus on yourself and your family, I aim for once a week, I take a day where I walk the dog, meet with friends and family and leave my phone in my pocket (I always take it with me just incase I need to call anyone in an emergency) We can get so consumed by the life people choose to show online that we strive to live a totally unrealistic life. Put that phone away, take a time out of social media and I can guarantee that you will feel so much better for it.

3. social media declutter

It’s time to get rid of those that bring negativity in your life. Those who don’t bring you joy, that bring you frustration on your newsfeed or put you down - GET RID! Instead fill your friends with positive people, those who bring you up and make you smile. Life is far to short to put up with negativity and you will find removing these people from your life will make you feel so much better within yourself - thank me later.

4. take 20-30 mins a day and go for a walk

Having a dog means I spend at least an hour a day walking, and when I come home I notice the difference immediately in my mood and when I get him out in my lunch hour I notice my ability to focus improve and as a result my productivity post lunch increases beating that midday slump. You don’t need to go out for an hour but if you can squeeze in 20-30 mins a day to walk around the block and get that fresh air in your lungs you will certainly feel the positive effects for it. Being outdoors helps lower blood pressure due to the reduction in the stress-related hormone cortisol and adrenaline. And if you’re still not convinced then I can tell you it helps slow down the ageing process - so go get those trainers on and add a small walk a day to your routine.

5. buy yourself some flowers

Simple but effective - I love having fresh flowers in my kitchen window. It really brightens up my mood as well as my kitchen. Surprising what some flowers can do.

6. look after your skin

This selfceare tip is one that you can just add into your morning and evening routine without adding much time at all. Develop a good skin care routine, look after your skin, love your skin and take an extra five minutes when you wake and and before bed to do so. If we can’t get to the spa’s then bring the spa to the home. For me when my skin is looking dull and breaking out it really effects my confidence and when my confidence is low my mood isn’t great either. I will discuss my own personal skincare routine and morning routine another time but if your looking for good skincare recommendations/ routines (it is a total mind field I know!) then HERE is a great article to help you work it all out.

7. get a beauty treatment

I know this is a tip for the future but when we can, definitely go book a beauty treatment at you local beauty salon. I love to go for a facial every 6-8 weeks, its such a treat but it really does make me feel amazing afterwards. I also love a spa day - it is a bit of an indulgence but one that is definitely worth it to recharge those batteries. My fiancé loves to play golf and with golf resorts there tends to be a spa - win win for us both, I don’t complain about the copious amounts of golf he insists on playing and he doesn’t complain about the spa bill afterwards.

8. drinks lots of water

This slots in pretty nicely with the looking after your skin topic, drinking lots of water is super important not just for your skin but it also helps aid digestion, helps maintain blood pressure, flushes body waste, makes minerals and nutrients accessible, boost exercise performance, helps with weight loss and most importantly for up and coming weeks - helps prevent a hangover! It really is a miracle worker and it costs nothing and takes no time. Boring I know but GET YOUR WATER INTAKE!!!

9. make time for family and friends

So important to maintain those relationships because an hour with good friends or an afternoon with the family can just instantly improve your mood and make you feel so much better almost instantly. There is nothing much else to add to this, but don’t forget to make the time for your nearest and dearest - I am in fact out with mine this very day walking and I know I will feel so much better for it.

10. meditate

I can see the eye roles as you read but don’t skip past this bit just yet! Meditation has a bit of stigma of being a thing that ‘hippies’ do but alas it is not. Meditation is such a great way to reset your mind and clear out the junk that is just cluttering your brain. It can help manage stress, increases self awareness, increases creativity and imagination, increases patience and tolerance, brings you back to the present and reduces those negative emotions. All in all as a self care technique you really cannot go wrong with a 5 min meditation. So go on, get meditating!

11. plan a long weekend away

An absolute must when it is safe to do so. It can be a long weekend abroad or a long weekend in good old Blighty, wherever you choose be sure that taking this time away from the home is the perfect way to look after yourself and recharge your batteries. We are all getting pretty sick of staying in our own four walls and so when we can this is one tip I cannot recommend enough, for your own sanity!! Go visit that place you always wanted to, go visit that friend or family member that lives far away, just go and enjoy being away from home it will do you the world of good and when you come back you will feel rejuvenated and ready to tackle any challenge that comes your way! I personally LOVE Venice for a long weekend. It is unlike anywhere else you will ever visit and the food is out of this world!!

12. indulge in essential oils

I am not sure how scientific essentials oils are to boosting your mood, but I love burning some oils. Adding a couple of drops to a bath or burning some oils in a lovely clean and tidy living room really helps me unwind and relax and switch off for the day. If you are like me and really sensitive to scents then this is a great tip to help you feel relaxed and content. A little tip - add a couple of drops of your favourite essential oil to your steam mop, it will leave you whole house smelling unbelievable.

13. run a bath and unwind

If you can take the whole evening to indulge in yourself then get that bath run, add you favourite bath bomb (yes I am a massive bath bomb addict - LUSH cosmetics are a saviour) or bath salts, light some scented candles give yourself a full body exfoliate pop on a face mask and stick on your favourite podcast and switch off. I try and give myself a full evening pamper session every couple of weeks. It is such a good way to shut out the world for an hour and forget all the craziness that is surrounding us at the moment. For me when I feel like I look my best I feel it reflects in my mood. So take that evening off, leave dad with the kids, switch off your notifications and give yourself a proper pamper session.

14. give yourself a mani/pedi

Another quick and simple thing to do for yourself. Get the nail file and your favourite polish and give yourself a cute little mani/pedi. A freshly painted set of fingers and toes just finishes of a pamper session and makes you feel finished and refined.

15. do something creative

Get those paints out, buy yourself an adult colouring book, start writing or knitting. Whatever creative outlet that you have an interest in, go and do it. Getting creative just releases all those tensions and takes you to another place. When I am painting I just enjoy the whole process, I enjoy turning a blank piece of white paper into something beautiful and fun. The sense of accomplishment is so uplifting and its a little task you can do if you have children, have a craft day and see the joy it brings.

16. declutter and get organised

If you haven’t watched The Home Edit on Netflix then stop what you are doing and go watch it! Home Organisation at its utter finest.

On a serious note though decluttering your space, tidying and cleaning the home really helps improve my mood. I find it so hard to concentrate when my room and home is a mess and cluttered. Clearing your space clears your mind. Organise your home and it helps make the most laborious tasks so much easier.

17. cocktail night with the girls

Now we can have 6 outside to gather go and organise a cocktail night with the girls in your garden. With the year that we have had having fun and a good old laugh with your besties has been near impossible and it really does take its toll on your mind. For some fun pick 6 cocktail recipes write them down fold them up and put them in a bowl then all pick one and that is the cocktail you have to make for you all. Friends, good weather and cocktails - what a way to boost your mood.

18. journal

I find this so useful. In the morning whilst my computer is loading I get my diary out and I write my daily intention, tasks, what I want to accomplish that day and when the day is done I make a note of the best thing about the day. It really helps keep me focused, on task and most importantly positive. My diary has monthly goal setting, monthly reflections and weekly goal setting, weekly habit tracker and weekly reflections as well as keeping me organised and positive through out the month. I use The Inspired Stories Daily Planner, a total life saver, the brand is just amazing. But keeping a diary and journal is such a help for me and I would recommend adding this to you daily to do’s.

19. read a good book

Maybe you’re having a soak in the bath, maybe you sunning it in the garden or maybe you're having a quiet hour on the sofa, grab yourself a good book. Reading is something I really enjoy, I use is as a sense of escapism. There is nothing quite like getting totally lost in a good book. It really is a great way to unwind and doesn’t take much effort at all.

20. develop a good morning routine

This is so important in setting you up for the day ahead. If you get up late and find yourself rushing around to get to work on time, you will turn up feeling unsettled, half asleep and you will seem to be trying to catch your tail all day. Instead, set your alarm nice and early, get up, maybe do half an hour of yoga, or get that morning work out in. By getting active first thing you get your body moving and your mind active and will find that you are far more productive at work as a result. I will write a whole blog about my morning routine at some stage but since getting up and being active before work I have noticed a considerable change in my mental attitude at work.

So there we have it, 20 tips for selfceare that I have found has helped me and I encourage anyone of you to take on one or two of these for yourself. So many things can help you look after your own well being, they don’t have to be time consuming or really expensive they can just be small changes in routine that will reap stacks of rewards for you.

I hope that you have enjoyed this blog, it’s been a lengthy one so thank you for staying with me!

Have a wonderful week and until next time, stay safe.

Maisie

XoXo