1. Sleep
Get enough sleep and you’ll have enough energy and reserves to tackle whatever the day decides to throw at you. Alongside that make sensible food and drink choices. The right amount of sleep (7 – 8 hours) raises serotonin levels which puts you in a good mood, regulates your immune functions plus appetite, and also improves your memory and concentration levels.
2. Move every day
You’ll feel good if you move, stretch, go for a walk or break into a sweat – each day! You don’t need to join a gym, just put on some trainers and walk the block. Even a 20 minute burst 3 times a week will provide benefits to you both physically and mentally. As winter draws in bringing with it general lethargy, we don’t feel like doing it but just one foot in front of the other, a small goal each week, will reap benefits and lift your mood.
3. The watch word is moderation
Give your body a break (from alcohol, too much time in front of various screens (especially at night) or over eating). You’ll sleep better, your skin and overall appearance will be brighter and you’ll be more focused and alert during the day.
4. Build moments of self-care into every day. Yes we’re all busy working, running around after others and wading though our frenetic schedules BUT – take 5 minutes or an hour or so out each day – whatever you can manage. And if you don’t have the time, you’re over-scheduled… which in the long-term, will negatively affect your health. So back to self-care, whether that’s listening to music that lifts your mood, calling a friend, watching a film or video that makes you laugh out loud, walking the neighbour’s dog, heading down to the ocean, doing something creative whether art, in the garden or beside the hob – Or just sitting quietly with a hot drink, as winter draws in. Self care fills our “emotional cup”, so we are able to face the day, support others such as family or friends and have better emotional regulation when a challenge does arise; as it inevitably will.