Five tips for self care september that won’t break the bank
The world is a wild place right now and with so much going on, it can be easy to become swept up in the angst of it all and forget to take moments in the day to look after you. While it can be tempting to add to cart in search of a dopamine hit when we’re feeling a little low, we have some ideas that’ll help you stay buoyant without breaking the bank.
MOVE
Never underestimate how something as simple as having fresh air on your face can change the course of your day. If you can, plan for your daily exercise window to be in the morning before work so you can enjoy those vitalising endorphins all day. The exercise doesn’t need to be intense either - a walk around the block is all it takes to feel refreshed. While you’re at it, treat yourself to your favourite podcast or your favourite album and really savour that moment. If you want short and sweet, we're loving the JSHealth App for their 10-minute workouts, which can be accessed for free with a purchase of any JSHealth Vitamins.
ZEN
Meditation can seem unattainable to those of us who are new to mindfulness, but the brilliant thing about 2021 is we now have access to a suite of apps, YouTube videos and podcasts that can help guide beginners. Have a search for any hosts or meditation guides who work for you, even if you can only settle in and focus for 5-10 minutes, you’d be amazed what a difference it can make to your day to day mental health.
EAT
Now is not a time to be dieting or restricting yourself (nor is any time, it should be said), so we encourage you to eat in a way that makes you feel happy and nourished. For some, that could be cooking incredible meals inspired by incredible foodies like Jessica Sepel, for others, it might mean removing the stress of cooking from your world and instead choosing meal delivery options that take the hassle away. Do what you need to do and don’t be hard on yourself for the option you choose.
REFLECT
Whip out your diary and grab a fine-liner because it’s time to get journaling! We know it might sound naff or even a little over-indulgent, but there is so much to be gained from jotting down your thoughts and processing through them, word by word. Journaling not only boosts your mood and helps you recognise unhelpful thoughts, but it also encourages a greater sense of self-awareness which can be useful in a time when we’re all feeling a little lost. SOTM pro tip: if you google ‘free mindfulness journal template’ and go to images, a range of pages come up that have free templates and prompts to get you started!
PAMPER
Even the word pamper is relaxing. Pamper. For those of us lucky enough to have one, at the end of the day, draw a bath, light some candles, pop on some relaxing music and melt away. Don’t have a bath or maybe you do but it’s crusty because you’re in a sharehouse? Been there. For you, we still recommend heading to the bathroom, lighting those candles and locking that door. Instead of having a speedy shower and getting on with the rest of your night though, take the time to enjoy the sensation of the hot water on your skin. Wash your hair and massage your scalp while you’re at it. Have a hair treatment? Throw it in. Once you’ve wrapped up in the shower, lovingly lather moisturiser over your body, go through your skincare regime and if you’re feeling it, blow dry your hair.
You don’t need expensive products to make the most of little moments for you, so turn an everyday experience into a special one just by taking a few extra steps to improving your environment.
Big thanks to the gems at JSHealth whose idea it was to create this blog for you. While JSHealth Vitamins aren’t free, their team is offering 15% off their products for our SOTM community - all you have to do is use the code SOTM. Plus, once you’ve purchased your vitamins, you’ll have free access to the JSHealth App (just use your order ID when logging in) which is jam-packed with workouts, recipes, meditation and a nutritionist clinic. If ever there was a time to make the most of the JSHealth App, it’s now! Shop here