Feel Good Wellness Hacks for Your Best Year Yet
These are big ones I often mention as lifestyle advice in Clinic, and, ones I keep myself in check with if I've fallen off the wagon a little and require a gentle kick up the butt haha.
FLUX
We have all heard of how blue light affects us poorly and is a major disruptor for our mood, energy and hormones. This is a FREE download for your laptop / computer with an adjustable timer which I promise your eyes (and the rest of you) will thank you for !!! Do it !
NIGHT MODE
On the same topic, another super simple, (I believe life-changing hack) for our phones. In the settings >> display / brightness section : I have this on all day and take it off only if I need to see the true colour of something.
NO SNOOZING
I've mentioned this before but it's too important not to again. When we first wake and see light we get a spike of Cortisol (a stress hormone) which is super healthy and important when it's at the right time. Snoozing can make us feel like we've been hit hard / severely hungover because we alter the positive effects of this hormone spike.
6 DIRECTIONS OF THE SPINE
My ultimate favourite mini exercise routine you can do anywhere and anytime which is so nourishing and will make you feel amazing.
JOURNALING / WRITING
I swear by writing - I truly believe it has changed my life in so many beautiful ways! It's the perfect way of remembering memories, tuning in, connecting with our true self, seeing patterns of behaviour, clearing emotional / mental clutter and baggage, manifesting and ofcourse gratitude. (BTW, I *DO NOT* believe in the craziness of trying to come up with 3 or more things you're grateful for everyday then feeling sh*t about not being able to achieve this). If you've done the THRIVE program with me you'll know how important and foundational this is. I don't believe in a set routine or strict rules for this - more feeling into when and how you wish to write.
Thoughts are energetic : the *words* we choose to say from our thoughts are too, but writing, pen to paper, is material. It is the single best way to clear you mind (hi ladies) and if you experience restless sleep or waking between 1 - 3am, I guarantee there is a lot of processing going on which would love to be put on paper.
GUA SHA FACE BEAUTY ROUTINE
Big topic I'm very passionate about. Gua Sha is a Chinese Medicine therapeutic technique I use a lot in my clinic - the face part is about 3 % of what this modality was actually created for thousands of years ago!! This self care practice is essentially a natural facelift at home and when I don't use it I totally notice the difference. I suggest 4 - 7 x per week, at night. (I usually do it in bed!) I have a version to follow along with if you like here. And the Gua Sha tools I stock can be bought here.
HOT LEMON WATER MORNINGS
I talk about this a lot !! Because I truly believe it is the best, most simplest way to start our day, and I never miss a beat with it. My favourite ritual by far!
MEDITATION
It's almost boring to mention it because it's such a buzz word now, yet majority of people I connect with struggle with this. I think it's become confusing and a big big industry. Anyway, all that aside it's just so good for us and if you don't have routine with it I strongly recommend finding a free guided meditation on Spotify / You Tube / free meditation links, or even just silence and doing your own. I'd steer clear of most of the self help gurus (haha) and find something more wholesome. You can try focusing your attention on just watching your breath - no judgement - just noticing it coming in and out of your *nostrils*. The feeling of it - not labelling what you feel though. When your mind drifts away bringing it back to observing your nostrils (this is a part of Vipassana Silent Meditation approach). I put a gentle alarm on to bring me back. anything from 5 - 20 - 60 minutes depending on your life situation right now is so beautiful.
20 MINUTES OF MOVEMENT
It's been studied that our nervous system fully drops back into the REST & DIGEST state from the FIGHT or FLIGHT state, which most of us are hanging out in way too often with just 20 minutes of movement. (I love seeing people become so grounded and float home after acupuncture : a true sign of the nervous system being in the restorative and healing phase). One of my favourites is good old free walking. Just brisk walking. So under-rated and so so good. Gets the lungs moving, the lymph and blood pumping, calms, clears the mind, you get some fresh air and sun and boom - you feel amazing!
KEEP IT SIMPLE
One of the best phrases which can be applied to pretty much most things. Don't overdo / overcomplicate / over analyse anything!! There are a lot of health hacks / gadgets / gurus out there and the wellness industry is saturated and wants your money !! Full Stop. Too much health often makes people not healthy at all. And creates unnecessary overwhelm. In relation to food, I always think eating relatively clean, whole foods and if our tummy is sensitive focusing on more warm, cooked and easy to digest foods. If you experience food sensitives (other than serious allergies ofcourse) its not so much about eliminating foods but about strengthening the digestive system.
DECLUTTER
I talk about this a lot because I think it is truly the cornerstone of good health and vitality. Clutter breeds clutter. Our poor body has to process everything - not just food and water but emotions, thoughts, information, and, everything we see. If you're at home (in your car / office etc) and there is lots of stuff that your eyes have to focus on regularly it is creating unnecessary distraction and overwhelm and you may not even realise !! Feng Shui (the art of balancing energy in our spaces - also from Chinese Medicine !!) teaches us to make our spaces healthy to best support us. Clear benches, minimal decorations / furnishings / things, open areas where air and light can move freely, things that make you feel good and are practical, organised cupboards and natural things (aka bringing nature inside) are easy keys to feel amazing. Stay tuned for more on this !!
VOICE MEMO
As women, we need to talk. Need to!! It's part of our makeup. This FREE app on our phone (free is so good right) is, I believe, life changing. I suggest pressing record while you're alone in your car (or anywhere) and just having a chat with yourself. Good, bad, sad, happy, ideas - whatever it is, just feel into it and trust the process. Promise. If you're stuck : just talk like you would be telling me what's happening in your world right now - go through the main categories (your health, partner / being solo, family, friends, home, work, etc). I recommend always starting with the date, time and where you are right now and finishing with a "love you, you're doing great / I'm so proud of you" (or something along those lines. I hope you try it!!
SPACE BUBBLES / LOVE HEARTS
This is also part of my THRIVE course and it is truly life changing! (hoping to have this back soon >> baby may have slowed the ETA of this hehe). If I offered you an extra day in your week I guarantee most of you / us would jam something in there instead of utilising the time and space to do something very important like being slow / restful / doing something that brings us joy. It's just human nature, especially modern world behaviour. I like to call them space bubbles or a 'love heart' icon in our schedule which basically means a time slot is 'blocked out' for ...... nothing !!! Just space - to breathe, to be, to rest, to connect with nature / ourselves / loved ones. Again, I really hope you try this!!
All the very best for an incredible year ahead. You are the creator of your days and your life.
It's usually the very small simple things, done well and consistently, that bring about the biggest, lasting positive changes.
M x