Sometimes, it can be difficult to make time for ourselves in our hectic world.
Pressures from work, relationships and our social lives can make self care and 'me-time' impossible – but one actress is reminding why it's okay to be a little selfish sometimes.
Taking to Instagram, Lucy Hale told her followers exactly how she took the time to recharge.
'For the last week I took a solo trip to Arizona,' the actress wrote.
'I spent my days hiking, meditating, and spending time with myself. I’ve never done this before because I used to feel that putting myself first was selfish. It’s not.'
'Not only is it healthy, but it’s necessary so that you can be the best for everyone else around you.'
'I know this happens in other industries other than the one I’m in, but it’s incredibly easy to get sucked into the vortex of worrying about the next job, the success of a current one and what others think of you.'
'This trip was a beautiful reminder that my health and happiness are crucial to the life I want to live and in order to be the best for my career and my loved ones, it’s necessary to do really nice things for yourself.'
'SO, I highly recommend treating your mind, body and spirit right.'
We come home after a particularly long day, and all we want to do is climb into the bed and relax.
This article will give our readers tips on how they can truly unwind after a day on the grind (hey look, a mini poem!).
From breathing exercises, to simply sticking the kettle on and milling into a packet of digestives. We all need an way to relax.
5. Mini-yoga
While exercise may not be the most desirable activity to take on as soon as we get in the door, taking the time to complete some yoga moves can combat stress and help increase your fitness and flexibility.
Shake out the exercise mat and pop on a quick, relaxing yoga tutorial on YouTube.
Even if you just manage 20 minutes of gentle stretching, prepare to feel more mindful and peaceful.
4. Pet ALL the animals
So it is actually scientifically proven that spending time with animals relieves stress, and calms the soul – and we're so down.
If you're lucky enough to have a cat or dog (or any sort of furry friend), hold them close and cuddle them.
You'll find yourself unwinding by the second… pure bliss.
3. Try baking (no seriously)
You may or may not be any use at it, but baking is a fantastic way to relax and settle the mind.
There is something very therapeutic about following instructions, mixing them all together and watching the finished product come out of the oven.
2. Get into your bed
Genuinely, there is just no better feeling than climbing into bed after a lengthy day of sending emails, pointless meetings and generally working our butts off.
To be honest, we'd actually take a new pair of PJs and some Netflix in bed over a night on the town every.single.time!
Curl up with your hot water bottle, and relax.
1. A cup of tea and a chat
Possibly the best (and most simple) way to unwind on this marvellous list – sure just stick the kettle on.
There's nothing better than pouring yourself a nice cuppa, cracking open a packet of chocolate digestives and having a little pause.
Brought to you by
That all-important first bite of your first biscuit brings an instant hit of joy to your day. And why not pass them around to family and friends? Life get’s hectic, but all deserve a break every now and then. There is no better way to relax than with your nearest and dearest. McVitie’s brings us together to with every bite of happiness – and these are the moments worth sharing.
People with mental health issues can feel pigeon-holed by the stereotypes that the disorder involves.
Demi Lovato has not shied away from her diagnosis as bipolar in recent years, but has spoken out about ditching the 'label' of bipolar and instead embracing it as one aspect of her personality.
Demi doesn't want to word to define her, but isn't scared to admit to her issues.
'I think when people refer to me as being bipolar, it's something that is true—I am bipolar—but I don't like people to use it as a label,' she told iHeartRadio'sLabel Defiers with Zico Coconut Water'sElvis Duran.
'It's something that I have, it's not who I am.'
Rather, she said, "I think Demi Lovato, activist, is something that I would really be proud of."
'I think it's important to speak up about the things that you believe in because your voice will be heard no matter what position you're in.'
From mindfulness to HIIT sessions, we are absolutely inundated with concepts which encourage us to treat our mind and bodies with the respect and care they deserve.
And yet despite an acute awareness of the various methods we should implement on a day to day basis in order to make the most of ourselves, how many of us actively partake?
But while you may not practice mindfulness and you might be more familiarwith HIMYM than HIIT, that doesn’t mean there aren’t other ways to feel great about yourself.
From gratitude methods to nutrition tips, there are dozens of methods which advocate self-love and self-care, and here are just eight of our favourites.
1. Be your own best friend
One of the easiest ways to reassess how you treat yourself is the ‘best friend’ approach.
Whether you’re looking in the mirror, assessing a piece of work or contemplating a change, your inner voice should adopt the same tone and kindness you hear when you’re speaking to a friend.
Being kind to yourself and treating yourself in the very same way you treat your BFF is sure-fire way to feel good about yourself.
2. Fuel your body
Not everyone is all about the kale way of life, and that is totally fine, but small changes that positively impact on your energy levels are not to be dismissed.
It’s important to remember to fuel your body and that means eating in such a way you can navigate through the day, to the best of your ability. We hear it all the time but eating a balanced diet is key. This should include protein, high-fibre carbohydrates, plenty of fruit and veg and 3 portions of dairy products a day.
3. Listen (and accept) compliments
How often do you dismiss a friend or colleague’s compliment with a self-deprecating remark? Yeah, we thought so.
As we never want to be seen as smug, self-satisfied or boastful, we go out of our way to dismiss a compliment, but not only does this response belittle your friend’s kind words, it doesn’t give your mind time to process the sentiment behind their remark.
It can be so difficult to implement, but the next time someone compliments you, take a split second to register what they’ve said to you, and thank them. It’s as simple as that.
4. Treat yourself (without feeling guilty)
We’ve been programmed to believe that treats are meant to be enjoyed sporadically, which means were often left feeling guilty when we tuck into something we enjoy.
The key to treating yourself on the regular is educating yourself on the various foods which taste great, but don’t leave you feeling bloated, drained or sluggish.
Take Danone Light & Free, for example. This snack feels utterly decadent, but with 0% fat and 0% added sugar*, it’s a treat your body will actually thank you for.
5. Learn how to say no
This is perhaps one of the most difficult things to master because when you’re attempting to balance work and college responsibilities with social engagements and family commitments, it can be tempting to say yes to everything that comes your way because you don’t want to be seen neglecting any particular aspect of your life.
But, as most of you will have learned the hard way, this is a sure-fire way to experience burn out and end up feeling resentful.
The world will not stop spinning if you turn down a night out, decline a family invitation or decide to speak to your boss about your workload. In fact, it will actually leave you feeling relieved, revived, reassured, and pretty damn great.
6. Face a small fear
And when we say small, we mean small…relatively-speaking, of course.
So, we’re not talking about facing your fear of heights by bungee-jumping, but instead tending to a small task which has, over time, become more and more daunting in your head.
Whether it’s making that phone call, filling out that form or scheduling that appointment, one of the easiest ways to feel great about yourself is to take a deep breath, make that leap and ultimately reap the rewards.
7. Keep a gratitude diary
Keeping a gratitude diary is an oh-so-simple way to find the positive in the day-to-day, and recognise the random acts of kindness shown by friends, family, colleagues and strangers.
Not only does it help lift your mood at the end of a long day, it works well to boost your spirits if you choose to read over past entries when you’re in need of a pick-me-up.
Feeling great about yourself shouldn’t be dictated solely by your own actions, but can also be determined by the wonderful people you have chosen to be around, and who have chosen to be around you.
8. Lend a hand
There’s a lot to be said for how good it feels to help out a friend or family member.
Whether it’s offering a lift, running an errand or simply lending an ear, being there for loved ones reminds you of your worth and how important you are to countless people.
Yes, they’re certainly benefiting, but so too are you.
And remember…
Caring for yourself inside and outside is not because society is fixated on perfection, but because you deserve it.
Brought to you by
Deliciously thick, sumptuously creamy-tasting Greek style yogurt with scrumptious fruit pieces. 0% fat, 0% added sugar* and simply unbelievably tasty.
Enjoy your little pot of positivity, the new Lemon flavour is in store now!
There's a high chance you have been recommended a must-see TED Talk at least once, but if you're unfamiliar with the platform, it's high-time you acquainted yourself.
Working under the slogan 'Ideas Worth Spreading', TED, which stands for Technology, Entertainment and Design, is a media organisation established in 1984.
With conferences held all over the world, platforms are provided to leading names across countless industries to share their ideas, observations and advice with a rapt audience.
In recent years Ted Talks have seen a surge in popularity after they became freely available online, with more than one billion talks having been viewed worldwide as of 2012.
And here are just five of the most enlightening and thought-provoking ones which we return to again and again.
1. We Should All be Feminists
"We teach girls that they can have ambition, but not too much … to be successful, but not too successful, or they'll threaten men."
If you only recognise this line from a Beyoncé track, it's about time you watched the Ted Talk from which it originated.
Nigerian-born author, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, initiated a worldwide discussion on feminism when she took to the stage back in 2011, and you'd be hard-pressed to find a more inspirational speaker.
2. My Story
In front of a riveted audience at a Ted Talk conference at the University of Nevada, Elizabeth Smart recalled her abduction at the age of 14 and the nine-month horror which ensued.
Providing an insight into an experience beyond all our worst nightmares, Elizabeth encouraged her audience to show courage in the face of adversity, bravery in the face of turmoil and determination in the face of hardship.
Receiving a standing ovation from those gathered, Elizabeth's talk will leave you feeling more galvanised than you might ever imagine.
3. Our Story of Rape and Reconciliation
Featuring Thordis Elva and Tom Stranger, this TedTalk is perhaps one of the most discussed this year.
Reflecting on their teenage relationship which began when Tom, a native of Australia, met Thordis on a student exchange programme in Iceland, these two speakers reveal that an 18-year-old Tom raped a 16-year-old Thordis following a night out.
Immediately parting ways, Thordis was left to pick up the pieces and struggled massively in the years that followed while Tom spent much of his adult years burying his shame and refusing to acknowledge his heinous act.
In a turn of events which many may struggle to comprehend, Thordis and Tom established a relationship via online correspondence, and spent years discussing the night which changed both their lives forever.
4. The Secret of Becoming Mentally Strong
If you've ever found yourself looking longingly at someone else's life or feel that despite your best efforts, things just refuse to fall into place for you, this Ted Talk is for you.
Delivered by Amy Morin, a clinical social worker and psychotherapist, this talk reminds us that everyone has the ability to build their mental strength by eradicating bad habits along with building positive ones.
Drawing on her own devastating experiences, Amy provides her audience with three basic elements needed to build mental health and reach your greatest potential.
5. Conquering Depression: How I Became My Own Hero
Delivered by a high school student named Hunter Kent, this talk is a reflecting on the speaker's own experience of depression and self-harm.
Sharing an insight into the condition which at times crippled her, Hunter seeks to encourage people who have found themselves in a similar position.
We are encouraged to practise mindfulness on a daily basis, right?
And while many of us understand it to be an approach which can impact positively on our mental health, recent studies have suggested that mindfulness can actually impact on our waistline too.
Researchers at the University of North Carolina have established that by focusing on each mouthful of food consumed, the individual increases their likelihood of losing weight.
Dividing 80 participants into two groups, researchers encouraged the first to practice mindful eating which required each individual to pay attention to feelings of hunger, avoid distractions and savour tastes, while the second group were not required to do any of this
Without restricting calories or following a nutrition plan, the first group lost 4 lbs over the course of 15 weeks while the second group lost 0.6 lbs.
Explaining the basis of the study, Dr Carolyn Dunn said:"Mindfulness is paying attention to your surroundings, being in the present moment."
"Mindful eating is eating with purpose, eating on purpose, eating with awareness, eating without distraction, when eating only eating, not watching television or playing computer games or having any other distractions, and not eating at our desks," she continued.
Commenting on the findings of the study, she asserted:"People did increase their mindfulness and they did absolutely decrease their weight”.
Sounds like we might need to start 'losing' the remote around dinner time, right?
We've all had days where it feels like the universe is conspiring against us and we're just ill-equipped to face the upset head-on.
We all also have various ways of dealing with it; some people simply wait for the mood to pass, others actively seek out support and others lament the day they were born.
But it sounds like these typical responses may take longer to kick in when compared to a technique advised by writer Judi Ketteler who recently wrote on the subject of low moods for The New York Times.
It seems a surefire way to alter your perspective on a situation or instigate a change in mood is to… wait for it… do a handstand.
"The more uncertain, angry, fearful or confused you feel, the more you need to plant your hands on the ground, kick your feet directly above you, and let all those negative emotions drain right back into the earth," she asserted.
"In our most vulnerable times, we tend to look up, whether for a prayer or a primal scream. We search out a higher something in the clouds. It feels like truth is above us and we are stuck on the ground, unable to figure out where we fit in."
"If you have been upright nearly every moment of your life and then you are upside-down – well, that feels different," she wrote.
"Your body experiences space with a new orientation. That experience alone is a worthwhile endeavour, because seeing the world differently for a minute can sometimes put the right-sided world in perspective."
Literally speaking, it makes sense, but emotionally, we don't imagine our problem will seem any smaller just because we have our face centimeters from the ground.
It's safe to say it's been a crazy week and whether you're stressed about your job, you BF, or just the world (ie. TRUMP), then we have the perfect thing for you: cat meditation.
We know, we know. It sounds stupid, but many of us struggle with anxiety and stress, and this is the puuurfect thing (sorry!) to put you back on track.
Blue Cross has created the first mindfulness online meditation class which stars adorable felines and experts from The Mindfulness Project.
The 10-minute class is available online and absolutely free, so you can use it to your peril for whenever you need to de-stress.
The video aims to draw attention to how cats and kittens can put us in a good mood, and hopefully it'll help Blue Cross re-home it's adorable rescue cats.
Take a look and see if it calms you a little – just watch out for the purring (you'll know what we mean when you hear it)!
Okay, your best intentions for that gym membership and your new Spiralizer might have fallen by the wayside now that mid-January’s here, but there’s one really simple thing you can do for better health all around this year.
Find a quiet room, take five minutes, and calm your thoughts with some mindful meditation.
A recent survey by Avonmore Slimline Milk found that 60% of Irish women believe stress is the biggest barrier preventing them from being their best self. So here’s your chance to kill two birds with one stone by de-stressing AND doing something great for your mind and body.
It’ll help you sleep
Is there any worse feeling than lying in bed trying to silence one million different thoughts as they go through your head? Just five minutes of meditation before bed can calm the mind and clear unnecessary thoughts, leading to a sounder sleep for you.
You’ll be WAY more focused at work
Set yourself up for the day with a few minutes of meditation before you leave the house – you’ll notice a huge boost in your concentration levels. Why? Studies have shown that meditation increases stability in the ventral posteromedial cortex, the part of the brain which causes those pesky wandering thoughts.
Your stress levels will plummet
You don’t need to be sitting cross-legged on the floor saying ‘om’ to reap the stress-busting benefits of meditation, you know. Just five minutes of slow, steady breathing and mindfulness can help ease psychological issues like stress and anxiety.
It’s a legit health booster
Meditation has been shown to reduce pain and beat inflammation at a cellular level, with many complementary therapists recommending it for chronic pain management.
It really CAN alter your brain
Our brain is constantly growing and changing throughout our life, and regular meditation has been proven to stimulate the growth of new brain cells. This can have any number of positive effects. including reducing activity in our amygdala, the brain’s stress centre.
It can slow ageing
The ageing process is linked to a reduction in the brain’s grey matter, but regular meditation has been shown to slow this reduction – meaning you’re more likely to be sharp as a tack in your old age.
It’s 100% free
No fancy equipment, no pricey workout gear (unless you want it, of course) and no gym membership needed. Just you, a quiet room and five minutes of your day.
It’s the perfect complement to yoga
As any yoga teacher will tell you, calming the mind is just as important as working on the perfect Downward Dog. Most yoga classes finish up with five minutes of meditation, so use that time wisely and you’ll soon reap the benefits.
Avonmore Slimline Milk want to help bring out the best in you and are giving away a month’s FREE yoga membership everyday this January. To enter check out the Avonmore website.
Could you survive without your phone, iPad and laptop for one day?
The folks at Digital Detox Ireland know it's no easy feat to go device-free, so they've made things a little easier.
As part of their third Digital Detox Retreat, 'Switch Off Saturday,' they'll be offering up yoga sessions, delicious homemade meals, storytelling and more in exchange for handing over your phone for the day.
The retreat takes place on Saturday December 5 in the beautiful surroundings of Dunderry Park in Co. Meath, a restored Georgian estate on 10 hectares of land.
Tickets usually start at €75 per person but we're giving one lucky SHEmazing! reader the chance to win TWO passes to the retreat.
