Improve Your Health & Wellbeing in 2021
Improving your health & wellbeing in 2021? It’s easier than you think. Here’s our top tips for starting the new year with a clearer mind, a positive outlook, and a happier disposition. Let’s make 2021 the best year yet…
Get Moving
We don’t need to explain the benefits of exercise for your physical health, but did you know it can significantly improve your mental wellbeing? Being active for only 30 minutes, five days a week can significantly improve mental alertness, boost your mood and reduce stress & anxiety. Here’s three top tips to encourage you to get moving in 2021:
Keep it Short & Sweet
Between the work schedule & family demands, it can be difficult to fit in the time to work out, so keep it short. A 20 minute high intensity interval training (HIIT) workout is perfect for those who are too busy for the gym, and you can do them at home, even while you wait for the dinner to cook.
Discover the Benefits of Yoga
As well as increasing flexibility and building muscle strength, yoga is known to significantly help your mental wellbeing and reduce stress through a mix of meditation and breathing techniques. Feeling sluggish after the festive celebrations? Just a few minutes of yoga a day can give you a much-needed energy boost, helping you to power through January when reserves are at an all-time low.
Get Outdoors
Don’t underestimate the power of the great outdoors. A breath of fresh air will do wonders for improving your general wellbeing and state of mind. Stepping outside once a day can help clear your lungs, improve your digestion, lower your blood pressure, and even give you more energy and a clearer mental focus. Set out on a hike, go for a swim, or endeavor on a scenic bike ride. Once you start, you’ll find yourself a new hobby before you know it.
Get a Good Night’s Sleep
It’s time to get serious about sleep. A good night’s sleep is vital to your mental and physical wellbeing; getting 8 hours a night can help to improve concentration and productivity, boost your immune system and lower your risk of heart disease, stroke and type 2 diabetes. So it’s pretty important. Here are three easy steps to help you settle into your best slumber yet:
Invest in Great Bed Linen
We spend a third of our lives in bed, so why settle for anything less than the best? Whether you prefer silky sateen or cotton percale, look for sheets with a high thread count as these will be softer and more lustrous to the touch. The standard thread count for cotton sheets is 150, with anything above 200 considered high quality. Look for the highest thread count you can afford and get ready for drift off.
Indulge in Aromatherapy
Enjoy a little “me-time” before bed with soothing fragrances that’ll help you to drift off. When it comes to calming aromas, there’s no better than lavender. Spritz your bed linen with lavender mist before you climb in, or light a lavender scented candle before bed to create a calming atmosphere. Sweet dreams.
Sink into Silk
Silk pillowcases are recommended by dermatologists and makeup artists alike, and for good reason. Due to its high protein content silk doesn’t absorb moisture from the skin and hair, helping to keep hair glossy, skin soft and prevent facial lines. Sleeping on silk will help your skin to feel fresher and smoother, and keep your hair frizz-free no matter how much you toss and turn at night. Fuss-free skincare with minimal effort, what could be better?
Take the Time for Tea
The restorative power of a cup of tea is recognized the world over. Whether it’s green, black, herbal or fruit tea, taking the time to switch off & sip is one of the easiest ways to improve your wellbeing. There’s plenty of teas that are packed full of healthy properties to benefit you from the inside out, so the next time you’re tempted to reach for a sugar-laden drink, make the switch to one of these instead:
Ginger Tea – most famously known for relieving nausea, a cup of ginger tea can also relieve stress, strengthen immunity and improve blood circulation.
Rooibos Tea – Rooibos is packed full of flavor & is a fantastic caffeine-free alternative to your favorite black tea (making it great for those that struggle to get their 8 hours a night.)
Chamomile Tea – recognized for its sleep-inducing powers, chamomile tea is also believed to have antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effects.
Peppermint Tea – Overindulged over the festive season? Get your digestive tract back on track with a cup of peppermint tea, it helps to relieve indigestion, settle stomach pain and boost your immune system.
Create a Happy Home
Christmas decorations, left over chocolates, new presents you’re yet to find the space for. Your house may look a little chaotic over the festive season, so make decluttering one of your top priorities this January. After all, a tidy house is a tidy mind.
Take it Room by Room
Don’t overwhelm yourself by organizing an entire house, break it into manageable tasks and you’ll have a clutter-free space to relax in before you know it. Take it one room at a time; if you find something you haven’t used in over a year, or it’s something that doesn’t immediately make you happy, it’s time to throw it away or donate it. This rule applies to everything from clothes and trinkets to toiletries in the bathroom. If it isn’t useful or it doesn’t spark joy, it’s time to say goodbye.
Utilize as much storage as possible to increase space & create a sense of calm. Under-bed drawers, stacking boxes and under-stair cupboards are ideal for keeping children’s toys, cleaning products and everyday essentials out of sight, but there’s now a plethora or storage solutions that are good enough to show off. Think rattan baskets, chic magazine holders & modern units. There's stylish storage options for every room.
Embrace Greenery
Known to reduce stress and lower certain pollutants, houseplants are a fabulous way to improve your wellbeing in 2021. Offering more than just a stylish decoration, they can improve the air quality of your space, help to deter illnesses and increase work productivity. Not gifted with green fingers? Take a look at our top 10 houseplants you can’t kill.