HAPPY HOUR CONT .
Eat well Another thing that makes us feel good , you got it , food . Let ’ s be honest , how many of us actually take the time to make a decent breakfast or lunch everyday ? Now ’ s your chance , with an hour the possibilities are endless and spending time in the kitchen can leave you feeling like you ’ ve accomplished something great , oh , and the best part , you get to sample the goods afterwards . Eating a balanced , healthy diet rich in nutrients will keep energy levels up , fuel your body and have you feeling great inside and out – you really are what you eat .
Invest in supplements While regular exercise , adequate sleep and eating well are all ways to help keep stress at bay , many of us are suffering from vitamin and mineral deficiencies that could be contributing to our stress levels . There are a number of herbal supplements out there , Ashwagandha and Valerian Root just to name a few , although it ’ s magnesium that we should be investing in . Well known for its relationship with sleeping patterns , Martina Della Vedova , nutritionist at Nature ' s Plus says , ‘ Magnesium is known as ‘ nature ’ s tranquiliser ’ and is needed to relax our muscles and nerves ’. Struggling to sleep ? Suffering from anxiety ? Try magnesium , it may just be the answer to all your sleep troubles .
Self-Pamper Pampering yourself is always time well spent , and at this time of year the weather can leave your skin feeling dry , flaky , and irritable . Exfoliating not only gets rid of old dead cells and encourages new , healthier ones , it prevents blemishes , improves blood flow , and contributes to that perfect winter glow that everyone ’ s going to be jealous of . And , it doesn ’ t have to stop there , other treatments such as facials , pedicures and massages all activate the body ' s inner energy sources which in turn help with both our mental and physical health . The most important benefit of self-pampering and taking care of ourselves ? It contributes to a positive body-image – you look good , you feel good .
Limit screen time Taking care of yourself is essential , and in today ’ s crazy world unplugging yourself from technology , can have great benefits on our body and mind . A digital detox will have you instantly feeling happier and more content . We ’ re all guilty of stalking social media and making unrealistic comparisons to other people ’ s lives , not realising that this can actually take a significant toll on our mental health . Taking just an hour out , could improve health issues such as anxiety and depression and encourage a healthier outlook on life , as well as allowing you to be more connected to the present ( and real !) world around you .
Get Creative Craft has long been used to help combat signs of anxiety and we all know getting engrossed in an arts and crafts project can leave us stress free and refocused . And of course there are so many options . Whether it is drawing , painting , sculpting or even undertaking a project with the kids , engaging with arts will leave you feeling invigorated , happy and it ’ s relatively low cost ! Interestingly , diys . com conducted a Fitbit test and found that knitting was the most relaxing hobby , and measured the lowest heart rates , with resting heart rates as low as 18.75 % – so if you ' re feeling stressed , why not have a stab at knitting , it can ’ t be that hard surely ?
Read a book An hour of reading a day is proven to stimulate and exercise the brain , and just like any other muscle in the body , if you don ’ t ‘ use it , you lose it ’. Regular reading can also help to reduce the stresses of everyday life , improve your memory , and most importantly expand your knowledge . It ’ s also the perfect pre-sleep wind down and helps avoid that sleep-reducing white light – who wouldn ' t want to read ?
Keep a Journal It ’ s not only reading that works for a stronger , healthier mind , when was the last time you sat down and actually put pen to paper and wrote something ? You might want to start a bigger project , a biography or fictional story and let your imagination run wild , or you could just stick to a diary entry . Who ’ d have thought that by writing down your thoughts and feelings , you might understand them more clearly . If you ’ re struggling with stress or are feeling anxious , keeping a journal could just be the way forward !
Stay Organised There ’ s a lot to be said for , ‘ tidy home , tidy mind ’, so never underestimate the power of a clean , messfree home – the positive effects are endless and could leave you , your relationship and state of mind much happier . Decluttering and feeling more organised can actually be life changing and will leave you feeling less stressed and more productive . What better way to spend an hour of your precious time , than clearing space for the things that matter most . And your organisation shouldn ’ t stop there . Organising your inbox for the first hour of your work day will make for a less stressful and more productive day . Organising your home to do list for an hour each evening will ensure you never miss an important anniversary , can pre-order gifts , prioritise bills , meal plan , and be prepared for the onslaught of family activities , events and excursions .
Now it ’ s over to you , how will you make the most of your happy hour ?!
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