Many of us typically start the new year with intentions to better ourselves. Then what happens? As time passes, we begin to fall off. Don’t worry if this happens. You’re not alone! We know and understand why it is important to practice self-care, but it’s easy to get caught up with all the other chatter and noise from our busy lives.
2021 is the year to really implement a healthier routine and actually to stick with it! The more you practice, the more it becomes a natural part of your life. Make this year, the year of more mental clarity, self-esteem, self-betterment, and overall better well-being.
Here are ten daily self-love habits to adopt for a better 2021:
Daily Affirmations
Starting your day with positive affirmations daily can improve your self-esteem and a more positive mindset. Positive affirmations are short declarative sentences with an optimistic tone. Saying them aloud even if you don’t necessarily believe in them, will change your mind about how you perceive yourself and the world around you. What will happen is that eventually, you will start to believe them. Using positive affirmations can rewire your brain and in just a short few weeks, and you will experience more joy and peace.
Meditate
Meditation can help clear your thoughts, bring you true inner peace, and start your day in the right direction. Just minutes of quieting your mind can help reduce stress. There are many different ways to meditate, and you may need to try a variety of other methods until you found the one that works for you. Don’t know where to start? Try using guided meditation tools such as Headspace.
Get Outside
Breathing in the fresh air and experiencing the outdoors can boost and improve your mental and physical health. By going for a quick stroll, not only can it help reduce stress and improve brain function, you’ll be getting vitamin D and more mental clearness. All these things are essential for a healthier lifestyle. Take a break from your busy life and enjoy the nature outside.
YOU Time
Adding a five minute “me time” into your busy daily schedule can help boost your mental state and lower your stress levels. Whether it’s a five-minute walk, five minutes to read a book or five minutes of skincare – you will notice a significant change in your ability to refocus for the remainder of your day.
Move Your Body
Exercising and moving your body every day will do wonders for your health. Benefits of physical activity include improving your memory and thinking, reduce anxiety and depression, improve your quality of sleep, protect you from many chronic diseases and illnesses, and more. If you recognize that you’ve been experiencing any one of these preventions, try incorporating 20-30 minutes of moving your body, and you’ll see the difference. Too busy to work out for the entire duration? You can break down a thirty-minute exercise into two 15-minute segments. Two 15-minute workouts are just as sufficient and effective.
Drink More Water
Drinking more H20 will help nurture your body to fight against any sickness. This is possibly the simplest way to detox and keep your body healthy, especially during times like a pandemic. Consult with your doctor in regards to how much water your body needs. The amount is different for everyone. Typically, you’ll want to drink about two litres of water a day. If you are exercising and exerting more energy, you’ll want to make sure you hydrate yourself properly.
Be Mindful
Mindfulness is all about two things: focus and awareness. Many people assume being mindful only means to meditate. Although mediation is one form of mindfulness, you can be aware of doing anything throughout the day. With a sharp and clear mind, you are applying sheer focus and awareness to everything you do, starting from when you wake up in the morning until you go to bed at night. Being mindful is to avoid distractions and help focus to stay on track. Try being conscious of the next thing you do after reading this blog!
Fruits & Veggies
Swap your chocolates for fruits and chips for veggies! Your body will thank you. It’s time to stop blaming the global pandemic for your poor diet and unhealthy eating habits. Add more variety of fruits and vegetables to your diet, and you will notice a difference in your skin, hair, body and mind.
Less Screen
Our devices can be addicting and distract you from your daily routine. Give your eyes a break from the screen. Dedicate a specific time to scroll and when to put it away. Instead, try picking up a new hobby or finally set some time to checkmark off your to-do list.
Read More
Another way to avoid screen time is to pick up a book! Whether you’re into self-help books or sexy non-fictional novels, take up some more reading during your downtime. Reading more can help increase brain connectivity, vocabulary, reduce stress, fight against depression, and prevent cognitive decline as you get older. Are you having trouble sleeping at night? Turning off the screen and enjoying a novel can help aid healthier sleep patterns too.
Guest post article is co-written in partnership with Linh Pham, co-founder of Designer Swap and our In House Virtual Stylist and event co-ordinator.
Linh is Carmelia Ray’s Style Expert. She consults and advises clients in making fashion decisions for dating and lifestyle photoshoot profiles. She provides customized recommendations on individual pieces, entire looks, colour palettes, styles, and fabrics. She is the Co-Founder of an online luxury consignment boutique called Designer Swap and a women’s networking group called Canadian Lady Bosses. She loves fashion, travelling, shopping, and women empowering events.
