Self-Love and Self-Care are two of our favorite topics, and as such, we have chosen to put them together. You will find a little bit of self-love in most of my posts. Self-love and self-care are incredibly important topics. When practiced regularly they lead to a happy healthy mind frame and life.
Do you see all of these self-care challenges on Pinterest, but none of them seem to be what you need entirely? Then this challenge is for you because you create it! This self-care challenge is a step-by-step guide to creating your self-care challenge that fits your needs most.
This post may contain affiliate links.
I love making challenges, particularly self-care challenges. Still, it occurred to me that the challenges I create use only my ideas and completely neglect the thoughts of those who are completing the challenge! Maybe my ideas work, but the chances are that I am missing something valuable and unique that only you can bring to the table. Without further ado, let’s make you the best self-care challenge you’ve ever taken part in!
Make A Self-Care List
Every good challenge starts with a list, no matter what the topic is. For this challenge, I’d like you to start by making a list of things and activities that you enjoy, that make you happy, or that soothe you. There are NO rules to this list, make it as long or as short as you’d like and include whatever you want! I spoke to a group of my colleagues, and we put together a small but decent list of ideas if you are feeling stuck!
Wood-making/widdling
Bath/spa session
Yoga
A new fragrance (maybe a new one each week or month?)
Upbeat, love, or empowering music jam (in the car or at home)
Painting/drawing
Schedule 10 minutes of “me-time” either before bed or in the morning
Now that you have made your list of possible items, you need to pick a time frame. How long will your challenge last? One week? 12 days? A month? Three months? When deciding your length of time, be realistic. If you plan for more than is practical, your challenge will most likely fail! Another thing to keep in mind is that it takes about 21 days to create a habit, so if you wish to build a regular self-care practice, start small and work toward a 30+ day challenge! Another thing to keep in mind is that your self-care does not have to end when the challenge does, keep re-creating challenges, or re-using old challenges to continue further!
Now that you know how long it will last, you can start assigning your list to the days of your challenge. It is not uncommon to assign an activity to a specific day (ex: day 1: take a bath, day 2: light a candle). However, I highly recommend picking the date you will start your challenge and start assigning the activities to the actual date (ex: March 1: take a bath, March 2: light a candle). To make this easier, I created a document to help you plan out your challenge!
When you are assigning these activities, do not shy from using activities multiple times or not using everything on your list! Utilize the activities that you are most able to complete on that day. You could assign the more time-heavy activities to weekends or days you do not work.
Complete Your Self-Care Challenge
Now that you have created and planned out your challenge complete it! This is the most important part of the process! Go through your challenge and learn from it. By the end of the challenge, you’ll have a better idea of how to create future challenges and improve on the one you just made! Don’t be afraid to make changes as you go, sometimes things just don’t work out. Shorten, lengthen, or change up your challenge to make it most productive for you!
Get The Create-Your-Own-Challenge Template When You Sign Up Below!
My Self-Care Challenge
For the purpose of this post, I decided that I needed to create my own self-care challenge too! I am moving, and I plan to start this challenge the first day in my new apartment! I also decided that my challenge would be a 2-week challenge or 14-days. Check out my finished challenge below!
Confidence is something that comes naturally to most people. However, for the vast majority of us, we struggle to feel confident. We are always worrying about what is ‘wrong’ with ourselves, instead of focusing on all the amazing qualities we have. It’s time for a change! Read on to discover how you can become the confident person you have always dreamed of being. This post may include affiliate links.
Learn to Receive Praise
There is only one place to begin, and this is by learning to take the recognition and praise that people shower on you. Do you find it hard to take a compliment? If so, you need to start accepting them. Say ‘thank you’ and believe it. If you have done a fantastic job at work, accept the credit rather than assuming the success of the project is due to someone or something else.
Change Whatever It Is That Is Bringing You Down
It is important to really get to know yourself and discover where this lack of confidence stems from. Is it to do with something that happened while you were younger? Are you self-conscious about your appearance? Maybe you would like to lose weight? We all feel self-conscious for different reasons, so getting to the bottom of what is causing you to feel this way will enable you to fix it. For example, you may want to watch videos about CoolSculpting or look at changing your diet, or you may need to talk to someone about what happened to you while you were younger so you can let go.
Take Risks
Confidence is a weird thing. To get confident, you need to go out and do something that you are most afraid of. It is a strange concept, but it works. If you do things that feel safe, you will never develop your self-confidence and belief.
Expect Success
Stop expecting failure and start expecting success. If you believe in yourself and your capabilities, you will naturally start achieving more because you stop holding yourself back, and this creates confidence. It is a snowball effect.
Know Your Strengths and Weaknesses
We all have strengths, and we all have weaknesses. Rather than focusing on what you cannot do and getting yourself down, you need to get to know what you are good at and what you aren’t so good at. You can learn from your weaknesses, and you can gain confidence in your strengths. It is all about becoming your own best friend.
If you follow the steps that have been suggested above, you will notice a considerable improvement with regards to your confidence levels. It is important to be patient and forgive yourself. After all, confidence is not something you can have overnight.
This post was written in collaboration. Collaborative writing means that while I have contributed to this post and edited its content and formatting, I am not its original author. By posting this content on my blog, I receive financial compensation. Want to guest post for Jihi Elephant? Learn more here.
Does your home make you feel relaxed? Is it a haven you long to retreat to at the end of a frantic day? For many of us, our home is the place we feel happiest, but it doesn’t always provide relaxation. If you’re on a mission to promote relaxation and calm at home, keep reading!
Decluttering
Clutter can affect the aesthetic of your home, but it can also interfere with the vibe and ambiance. If you walk through the door to be confronted with stuff everywhere, you’re not going to feel relaxed. Clutter makes your home look small and cramped, and it can contribute to stress. The best course of action is to have a clearout.
Let Go Of What You Don’t Use
Most of us are guilty of hanging onto things we don’t really need or even want. Over the course of time, molehills can become mountains. If you’ve got piles of boxes, or shelves and racks stuffed full of clothes or shoes you haven’t worn for months, now is the time to pull your sleeves up and get organized.
Go through each room one by one, and create separate piles. Make one mound of items you want to keep. Then, make one pile of the things you could donate or sell. And finally, make one pile for the trash. Box up anything you plan to sell or give away and then find a home for everything you want to keep. Fold clothes and keep them in a wardrobe, chest or closet and store your shoes on racks or in boxes.
Next, move to another room and repeat the process until your home is free from anything you no longer want. Gather everything you want to dispose of and take a trip to the dumpster.
Storage
If you’re short on storage once you’ve tidied up, it’s worth considering your options. You could put up some shelves for books, DVDs, games, frames or ornaments or you could buy a new chest of drawers or wardrobe to store clothes. If you don’t want to buy new, you could save money by upcycling a second-hand piece of furniture. You might even try storing items meant for a different season in a garage or storage space out of sight. Decluttering isn’t a fun job that most of us look forward to, but you’ll feel a lot better once you’ve ticked this task off your list.
Setting Up Relaxing Spaces
There are certain parts of a home that are geared towards activity and engagement, but sometimes, you need peace and quiet or time to reflect, chill out, and spend a bit of time alone. Your home should cater to your every mood. You may want a kitchen that is a thriving hub of the house or a relaxed and peaceful office space. Just as you want your living areas to deliver when you’re cooking or socializing, you also want other rooms to satisfy your needs. Where do you go when you want to read a book, listen to music, draw, paint, or knit? If you haven’t got any places where you can just kick back and unwind, you need to. It’s a good idea to think about how and where you could set up relaxing spaces in your home.
Using Space
There are various options you could consider. If you’ve got a spare room you never use, why not convert it into a reading room, a creative studio, a tranquil office space or a music room? If you haven’t got a ready-made space, you could section off an area of an existing room. Consider a guest room, for example. If you rarely have visitors staying over, you could create a dual-purpose room. This room could cater to guests, but also give you the space you need to relax or pursue your hobbies. If you enjoy writing, for example, you could place a desk and chair in the bedroom or swap the bed for a sofa bed. Likewise, if you love reading, trade the desk for a bag chair and fill your shelves full of your favorite books.
Space & Value
Alternatively, if you’re looking for ways to add space and value, it may be possible to convert the loft or the basement. If this is an option that you’d like to pursue, get some quotes, talk to real estate agents, and create a budget. If the numbers add up, you can then turn your attention to interior design and start styling your relaxing new space.
Getting Your Bedroom Right
The bedroom is the most important room in the house for relaxation. If your bedroom isn’t a comfortable space, you may find it difficult to switch off which could affect your sleep patterns. For a serene, soothing boudoir, stick to light, neutral shades or pastels. These shades are proven to have a calming effect. Add textures to create a cozy vibe, and avoid bright lights. If you like to have a lot of light, for example, for applying makeup, fit a dimmer switch so that you can soften the mood when you’re ready to get into bed.
When you walk into your room, you should feel your shoulders relax, and tension leave your body. If your bedroom isn’t delivering at the moment, consider a mini makeover. You don’t have to spend a fortune or hours painting and decorating. Altering the colors, adjusting the lighting and adding throws, blankets, rugs, and cushions could make all the difference.
Lighting
Lighting has a real impact on the feel of the room, as well as the way it looks. When you’re shopping, think about the kind of mood you want to create. Do you want bright lights that will illuminate a large space and perk you up? Or maybe do you want soft lighting that adds a romantic vibe?
Lighting by Room
In rooms like the kitchen and study, you probably want a lot of light, but in the bedroom, reading room or snug, it’s best to go for softer options. Dimmer switches are a great idea for multi-purpose rooms like the living room. You can adjust the lighting to suit your mood at the touch of a button. For the ultimate in relaxation, switch off lamps and wall lights and light some candles. Scented candles are particularly beneficial, especially if you’re running a bath or you’re getting to ready to curl up and chill out with your bedtime playlist or a book. If you have children or pets, and you’re worried about safety, use LED candles.
Choosing The Right Colors
Let’s pretend you were presented with a series of colored flashcards. Then, somebody asks you to choose a word that represented how you feel when you see that color. You’d probably find that you have different words for every shade. Color has an impact on our mood, and it can also affect our energy levels. Bright shades of yellow, for example, make us feel energetic and happy. More subtle tones like pale blue and gray can make us feel calm. When you’re decorating or planning a room-revamp, think about how you use color. Additionally, think about which shades you use in each room. If you’ve got garish colors and prints in your bedroom, for example, you may find that swapping them for more understated tones will help with relaxation.
De-stress with Plants
If you’re a fan of interior design, you may be aware that the natural look is popular at the moment (I am obsessed with it). This is great news for plant lovers, not just because potted plants look fabulous, but also because they have calming properties. Studies show that plants can help to make you feel less stressed. They also purify the air.
You can use plants of all shapes and sizes to decorate rooms. Don’t be afraid to bring the outdoors in, and add a fresh, clean feel to your home. There are hundreds of different types of houseplants, but popular options that are proven to de-stress include aloe, English ivy, rubber trees, peace lilies, bamboo and spider plants.
If you have pets, take care when choosing plants and flowers to display indoors, as some plants are poisonous to cats and dogs. Ask your vet for advice. Many people assume that it’s hard work to keep plants alive, but most houseplants are very low maintenance. All you need to do is find a sunny spot and water your plants on a regular basis.
Conclusion
Most of us dream of a home that makes us feel safe, secure, happy, and relaxed. If your house doesn’t quite feel like a homely haven yet, there are lots of ways you can set the tone and create spaces that enable you to unwind and chill out. Before you turn your attention to a revamp, declutter and clear some space. You can then think about changing colors, furniture, and adjusting lights. Use the space you have available to indulge your interests and enable you to enjoy some time out.
Focus on creating the right atmosphere in your bedroom. Think about how different colors affect your mood and don’t be afraid to try and hone your green-thumb skills and introduce some greenery and foliage.
This post was written in collaboration. Collaborative writing means that while I have contributed to this post and edited its content and formatting, I am not its original author. By posting this content on my blog, I receive financial compensation. Want to guest post for Jihi Elephant? Learn more here.
It is so incredibly easy to fall into a slump of anger, sadness, or anxiousness. The world can be so depressing and hard to deal with. If you are in a slump or looking for something to brighten your mood, check out these 20 positive quotes!
Brightening Quotes
“Life is better while laughing.”
unknown
“Letting go gives us freedom, and freedom is the only condition for happiness. If, in our heart, we still cling to anything – anger, anxiety, or possessions – we cannot be free.”
thich nhat hanh
“Your mind is a powerful thing. When you fill it with positive thoughts, your life will start to change.”
anonymous
“Just because you are happy it does not mean that the day is perfect but that you have looked beyond its imperfections”
bob marley
“Smile often, think positively, give thanks, laugh loudly, love others, dream big.”
unknown
“Happiness is nothing more than good health and a bad memory.”
albert schweitzer
“Stay positive, work hard, and make it happen.”
anonymous
“I, not events, have the power to make me happy or unhappy today. I can choose which it shall be. Yesterday is dead, tomorrow hasn’t arrived yet. I have just one day, today, and I’m going to be happy in it.”
groucho marx
“Kindness is a wonderful way to let another struggling soul know that there is still love in this world.”
“Be kinder to yourself and then let your kindness flood the world.”
pema chodron
“The darkest nights produce the brightest stars.”
anonymous
“I’m choosing happiness over suffering, I know I am. I’m making space for the unknown future to fill up my life with yet-to-come surprises.”
elizabeth gilbert
“Happiness is not the absence of problems it’s the ability to deal with them.”
unknown
“Hey little fighter, soon things will be brighter.”
anonymous
“Choose happy.”
unknown
“Regardless of how anyone else feels about me, I am going to choose to be happy and completely love myself today.”
unknown
“I am in charge of how I feel and today I am choosing happiness.”
unknown
“Happiness can be found, even in the darkest of times, if one only remembers to turn on the light.”
albus dumbledore
Positive Quotes
“If you want happiness for an hour—take a nap, If you want happiness for a day—go fishing, If you want happiness for a year-inherit a fortune, If you want happiness for a lifetime-help someone else.”
chinese proverb
“Don’t underestimate the value of Doing Nothing, of just going along, listening to all the things you can’t hear, and not bothering.”
winnie the pooh
“Most people are about as happy as they make up their minds to be.”
abraham lincoln
“Thousands of candles can be lit from a single candle, and the life of the candle will not be shortened. Happiness never decreases by being shared.”
buddha
“Happiness is a warm puppy.”
charles M. schulz
Conclusion
Not all of these quotes are perfect for every person who reads them. I hope that you have found some quotes that resonate with you. These quotes are meant to brighten your mood and help you find happiness. Keep these positive quotes as reminders in your journal, on your desk, in your locker, or in your planner for when you are feeling down.
There are many times in life when suddenly your ability to care for yourself goes out the window. In a flash, all of your learned habits become extremely difficult to uphold, and before you know it, you are letting yourself get behind with your own self-care. When this happens, however, it is best not to let yourself beat yourself up about it – as this will only actually make it worse in the long run. Instead, you should aim to get yourself back on track – not by deriding yourself, but quite the opposite – by taking positive steps in the right direction. Given that these circumstances are usually stressful or out of your control, it can be hard to do this – but still entirely possible with the right approach.
Dealing with Life Situations
First of all, you need to make sure that you are actually dealing with the life situation which has caused you to put your self-care on hold. This is important for a couple of reasons. Firstly, if there is something like this in your way, it is a good idea to get it out of your way – and that means solving the problem, if possible. Secondly, your life situation is not separate from your ability to care for yourself but instead wound up within it. By dealing with the one, you are also helping the progress of the other. Fast solutions are best. If the situation is a divorce or a break-up, go for out-of-court solutions to get back on track faster. If it is the death of a loved one, grieve properly. Deal with your reality.
Putting Yourself First as Self-Care
Usually, in times of stress, we have a tendency to look to others for guidance, leadership, and support. This is natural, healthy and to a certain extent useful. But if you have started to notice that you have probably been playing too much emphasis on others, then you might want to remember to try and put yourself first. This means stepping back, taking a moment to ask yourself what your own opinion on the matter is, and doing whatever you think to get your self-care back on track. You are the most important person in your self-care, so this is a hugely valuable thing to bear in mind.
Being Kind to Yourself
If you are someone who often derides yourself for feeling a certain way or failing to be always positive, it’s helpful to learn not to engage in that behavior. Ultimately, it doesn’t help. What does help is to be as kind to yourself as you can manage so that you can look after yourself both now and in the future? You will find that this makes an enormous difference, so it is really worth thinking about. The kinder you are to yourself, the more likely you are to be able to embrace your self-care – exactly when you need to do that the most.
This post was written in collaboration. Collaborative writing means that while I have contributed to this post and edited its content and formatting, I am not its original author. By posting this content on my blog, I receive financial compensation. Want to guest post for Jihi Elephant? Learn more here.
When it comes to our homes, most people design them solely with one thing in mind: how they look! But remember, that sight is just one of the senses you’ve been blessed with. As such, you can add a lot to your home just by having additions that feed the other senses. Below, we take a look at a few easy to incorporate features that’ll make your home the ideal space to unwind and relax in; and your whole body will agree.
Set the Mood
You probably already know just how important lighting is to your home, but it’s worth repeating; because so much of how we feel is related to lighting. On dark days, we’re prone to melancholic introspection; on bright sunny days, we’re in love with everyone and everything! The question is, what does your home do for you? You should have different approaches for how you light your home, depending on the season. In the winter, you want to invoke that Danish ‘hygge’ concept, and keep things atmospheric and cozy. In the summer, it’s all about letting in as much natural light as possible.
Adding Nature
Most of us spend the majority of our time inside but keep in mind that humans are supposed to be out there, living with nature. Of course, few people would really sign up for that these days, but you can still get your fill of nature – and have a feature that seemingly speaks to all the senses all at once! Look at buying some plants, and place them around the home. They’ll brighten up the place when it’s raining outside, and will boost your mood regardless of what’s going on out in the world! And if you need some convincing, just take a read of the New York woman that filled her home with plants – she doesn’t regret it!
Aromatic Scents
A home can look terrific in photographs, but when you get in there? Oh dear, there’s an odd smell that seriously undermines the otherwise gorgeous aesthetic. And what’s worse is that homeowners often get used to the smell, but their guests don’t! If you notice your home has a funky smell and you can’t figure out why, get the help of plumbing services; chances are, it’s because of something that’s happening in your drains. Once the problem has been taken care of, take your home in the opposite direction by having a candle, aromatic diffuser, or incense burning throughout the day.
Sinking In
You might think that touch doesn’t really come into play in your house, but it really does! After all, what are you sitting on? How are you getting cozy? Where are your hands when you’re chatting with your friends? Buy blankets, throws, and the like with your hands and body in mind, and also remember to keep everything nice and clean. Nothing will make you feel “gross” more quickly than sticky, dusty, or otherwise dirty surfaces.
Our homes affect us in so many ways, and this includes our senses. Get it right!
This post was written in collaboration. Collaborative writing means that while I have contributed to this post and edited its content and formatting, I am not its original author. By posting this content on my blog, I receive financial compensation. Want to guest post for Jihi Elephant? Learn more here.
If you haven’t noticed it yet, I am a HUGE advocate for self-care! Self-care is much more than taking a walk, eating right, or a nice relaxing bath. Self-care involves taking care of yourself in a way that causes you to LOVE yourself and who you are. Walking or eating right can surely help this, but there are a million other ways to feel good about who you are. You might splurge on a nice outfit, quality skincare, or you might invest in teeth whitening. Brightening your smile is a GREAT way to practice self-care. Smile Brilliant provides easy teeth whitening experience without those gooey strips other brands offer. Continue reading for an exclusive discount!
A Brighter Smile for Self-Care
You’re aware of the importance of self-care by now. But how exactly is a brighter smile a form of self-care?
First, smiling (even if it’s not a genuine smile) can reduce stress and increase mood! Want to learn more about the science of smiling? Check out this Huffington Post article.
Second, a bright smile is a sign of mental wellness and happiness. When you are happy and doing well, you are doing something right.
And third, when you feel good about the way you look and feel, you are more likely to feel good about who you are and life in general.
One way to feel amazing is to have white teeth! Keep reading to learn more about the easiest way to brighten your smile and whiten your teeth and claim your exclusive coupon!
The Easiest Way to Get a Brightened Smile
Smile Brilliant is the easiest way to get a brighter smile. What makes it so easy is that you can do it from home and it is exactly what you would get if you went to the dentist instead. Being a full-time student, full-time blogger, business owner, AND working part-time I do not have time to go to the dentist for teeth whitening.
I don’t drink coffee, and I don’t drink red wine, but I have weird grooves in my teeth that no dentist has been able to file smooth. Because of these grooves, the color of my teeth has always been splotchy. I had talked to my dentist previously about whitening, they had no issue with me doing it but wanted me to try a more expensive toothbrush instead. The toothbrush made no difference.
Within the first week of using Smile Brilliant, I started to see whitening IN the grooves! My teeth were never yellow or browned—they were splotchy. After a month and a half of every other day use my teeth are white, and it’s consistent—no splotches!
Now that my teeth are all white and are no longer blotchy I feel great about smiling, and I am no longer self-conscious when I notice people staring at my teeth! Teeth Whitening has made me feel great about my smile—whitening my teeth has been a major form of self-care!
Enough about me! You are here to get your own Brightened Smile! You get 15% off sitewide using the code:JIHIELEPHANT15
If you want to experience a happy and healthy life, then self-love isn’t just incredibly important, it is necessary. Of course, it can be difficult to practice self-love sometimes if you don’t see yourself in a positive way. While it is common for people to have low self-esteem, it isn’t okay. So, you should do everything that you can to improve it. If you aren’t sure how to go about doing this, then keep reading for some helpful tips.
Take Care of Yourself
It can be challenging to feel great about your appearance if you aren’t putting very much effort into it each morning. Of course, there are plenty of people that can throw on a pair of jeans and a t-shirt and be ready to take on the world. But if you’re not one of these people, then consider switching things up a little. You could try a new hairstyle, invest in a new wardrobe, or experiment with a new makeup routine. You should also put some effort into maintaining a skincare routine. Exercise and eating healthily will also help to make you feel better mentally and physically. This is true even if you aren’t trying to lose any weight.
Pursue Your Passions
If you are stuck in a job that you hate, then your self-esteem is naturally going to plummet. To combat this, invest some time into doing something that you love. You never know, it might even turn into a career. For example, if you’re passionate about singing you could go to a few karaoke nights, start a YouTube channel, even release your own music. You could then use a company like Nationwide Disc to make physical copies of your tracks. This is incredibly productive and is something that you enjoy doing and know you’re good at, so your self-esteem will improve.
Socialize with Positive People
If you’re looking to boost your self-esteem, then the last thing that you need is to be around people that criticize everything you do. There is no shame in cutting negative people out of your life. It’s difficult but they may be a partner, family member, or friend. Those that truly love you are happy with you the way that you are. Instead, stick with those that make you feel good about yourself, and build new relationships with others that do the same.
Stop Comparing Yourself
Everyone compares themselves to others every now and then, whether you’re comparing the way you’re dressed, your successes, or your failures. Unfortunately, while this may give you a little boost every so often, it will usually point out the fact that you aren’t the same or “better” than someone else, which will only ever bring you down. No two people are the same, and they’re not supposed to be, so stop trying to be the people around you and focus on what you’re doing.
It can be challenging to know how to boost your self-esteem, but it is an incredibly important part of self-love. Hopefully, with the tips above, you’ll find it a little easier.
This post was written in collaboration. Collaborative writing means that while I have contributed to this post and edited its content and formatting, I am not its original author. By posting this content on my blog, I receive financial compensation. Want to guest post for Jihi Elephant? Learn more here.
We all know the importance of looking after ourselves both physically and mentally. When we are stressed, not eating well, and overworked we end up in a productivity slump. Feelings of sadness and generally feeling overwhelmed which is not a great way to live. It makes sense that the place we retreat to each day and spend a significant amount of our free time in can either positively or negatively affect the way we feel. So, it is essential that our homes are a place of relaxation. If you know that something needs to change in your life, then this could well be a great place to start. Here is how you can improve your home which in turn can improve both your mental and physical health.
The Living Room
The living room is a space to entertain friends, socialize with family, and relax. Your best bet here is to make sure there is plenty of comfortable seating for everyone, and that you have a good entertainment system. Comfy sofas that you can wrap yourself up in a blanket and enjoy a movie gives you a chance to spend quality time together. You could play games with your friends if you have a big screen tv, computer system, and good sound.
Once you have chosen furniture that is comfortable and suits your style, load up with soft furnishings. Rugs, beautiful curtains, throws, and cushions will all make space feel cozy and inviting. If you go with vertical blackout blinds, these let plenty of light in when you want the room to feel bright and airy, but block out the sun when you are watching a movie on a sleepy Sunday afternoon. Make your living room all for relaxation and socialization. We all need friends and family in our lives. Life can get busy but having a nice space you can invite people back to can certainly make it easier.
The Bedroom
The bedroom should be a place of peace and serenity. It is your own personal space, your retreat from the world. Having somewhere quiet, safe and relaxing you can go to at the end of each day can help you to rejuvenate and unwind which is essential for both your mental and physical health.
Tidy Up
Aim to keep the bedroom very clean and tidy, clutter and mess have been shown by psychologists to influence sleep; a tidy room really can help to maintain a tidy mind. If you have a lot of possessions, have a declutter and then find decent storage to keep whatever is left. Use very soft colors- light neutrals and pastels are good options here. Avoid very bold and bright shades, color has a strong impact on the human brain so make sure you are tapping into the right frame of mind by choosing relaxing colors. Invest in a decent mattress which will support your back and maintain your spines health.
Upgrade the Old
Replace your duvet if it is over five years old and your pillows if they are over two. Not only will new ones feel fresh and fluffy but old bedding can harbor dust mites. If you have any black mold in your room, purchase and antifungal cleaner and get rid of it ASAP. Mold spores can cause respiratory issues and allergy symptoms, and are especially harmful while you are trying to sleep.
The Bathroom
A hot bath or shower when you are exhausted from work or just feeling stressed can work wonders. The hot water can ease tense muscles, and it can even lower blood pressure. Plus it is a pleasant, quiet environment where you can just kick back and unwind. If your bathroom is worse for wear then upgrading it is a worthy renovation. It will add value to your home if you sell. It is also something you can enjoy in the here and now. A new suite, fresh tiles, beautiful flooring, and some decorative accessories can turn the bathroom into a great space.
Upgrade Old Stuff
Buy yourself somenew fluffy towels, a nice bath mat and some pampering products that you can treat your hair and skin with. Proper storage to put products and kids toys away will help to maintain a very peaceful and calm looking space. If your current bathroom is not too bad, simply refreshing accessories and grouting the tiles. Either way, a bathroom with a shower or bath you can relax in can help to put you in a calm frame of mind.
The Dining Room
Research has shown that children from families who eat together more than three times a week are less likely to grow up and get pregnant young, take drugs or get involved in crime. This seems like a bizarre connection to make. However, it makes sense. When we eat together it secures family bonds. Eating together can help children to feel closer to their parents, and in turn, they might confess things like peer pressure. Eating together as a family is also linked to children being a healthy weight. It is through positive reinforcement that you can teach children the value of good food. Let them see you fill up on healthy, home-cooked meals, and their attitudes will mirror yours in time.
Invest In Your Dining Room
The dining room is a space for you to enjoy your own delicious, healthy meals, and also somewhere you can entertain guests. A solid dining table is a good investment. You could buy chairs that you like the look of and merely replace these every few years when trends change. If you choose well, your dining table will work well with just about any style of chairs. Good lighting above the table is useful for shorter winter days and later meals, look into lighting that is specifically designed to hang over the dining room table.
The Kitchen
The kitchen is such an essential room in the home. It is somewhere where you are likely to spend a lot of time. From sipping your coffee in the morning to preparing packed lunches, cooking dinners, and entertaining friends, you need a room that is practical and enjoyable.
One of the critical features for doing this is making sure there is enough storage space. Having enough storage space allows you to keep everything organized. In doing this you are not having to rummage or get stressed out looking for what you need. If an entire kitchen renovation is off the cards, look into smart ways to organize. For example, could you turn an old boiler cupboard into a pantry and free up space in your kitchen cupboards? Could you install some shelves to create more space that frees up the worktops? There are tons of great ideas on Pinterest for this.
The Garden
In addition to the house itself, the garden is also an area to focus on, primarily regarding your health. Sitting outside and getting some fresh air, meditating or just soaking up some vitamin D in the sun are all useful. Create an area where you can relax with a drink and a good book, that you could enjoy when the weather is warm.
A decked area makes a lovely patio, you can find decking builders online if you do not have the skills to do this yourself. A comfy outdoor corner sofa, a garden swing or even a swinging pod chair would all be relaxing places to sit. If you purchase a water feature, the sound of trickling water could help you relax, and tonnes of pretty flowers in baskets and bedding make the area aesthetically pleasing.
The act of gardening is good for your health since weeding, digging and even pushing a mower is all good exercise. And once you are done, you have a stunning spot to sit and enjoy all of your hard work.
Conclusion
When you improve your home and make the very most of each room, it allows you to properly enjoy your time there. It allows you to relax and unwind, both of which are good for mental and physical health. Keeping a clean and tidy home that is free of clutter, pests, and danger helps you to avoid health hazards. A home that you love can lead you to be more inclined to invite loved ones over. Being more social is great for your health! Put in the work to transform your home into a relaxing haven, both your mental and physical health will thank you for doing so.
Had you considered improving your home as a way to improve your general well-being? Which rooms do you think are the most important to focus on when it comes to this?
This post was written in collaboration. Collaborative writing means that while I have contributed to this post and edited its content and formatting, I am not its original author. By posting this content on my blog, I receive financial compensation. Want to guest post for Jihi Elephant? Learn more here.
Self-care is a big deal and should be taken seriously. If you are not going to invest in yourself and your happiness and fulfillment, then what will you invest in? The following products are great investments to help amplify your regular self-care regimen.
Massage Tools
Most people don’t have the money nor the time to head out to a masseur when they get a bit of pain or tension in their back. However, you can still fix the problem and feel the benefits of a good massage by investing in a massage ball. A massage ball is just one of many self-massage products that you can find on the market right now, so why not try it out for yourself?
Another great investment in yourself is to Journal. Journals are fantastic for helping you process your thoughts and clear your mind of stress. When you take the time to sit down and process things in writing, you will get a better perspective on the things happening in your life. Here are some of my favorite journaling tools:
You spend hours of every day sleeping in your bed. The mattress you sleep on will, therefore, have a big impact on how you feel throughout the day. With the right support, you will surely feel better. ChooseMattress is a mattress brand that will help you to have fewer aches and pains each day. The condition of your spine is vital, so do yourself a favor and make this upgrade sooner rather than later.
Self-Care Candles
Scented candles are perfect for relaxation, so why not invest in some for yourself? You will really benefit, and it makes those moments of relaxation in your home even more relaxing and enjoyable. We all know that those moments are few and far between when you lead a busy lifestyle, so why not make the most of them? I LOVE candles and recommend them to everyone. Read more about setting up a relaxing bath for the ultimate self-care experience here.
Fitness Gear
If you really want to be kind to yourself, you should try being physically active. To make it that little bit easier and to give yourself some much-needed motivation, you should buy yourself some fitness gear. Becoming physically active is one of the most beneficial forms of self-care because it not only strengthens your body, but it also strengthens your mind!
Looking after yourself sometimes comes at a price, and what better thing to spend money on than your mental health and happiness? Each of these tools will help your wellness in different ways, so be sure to make the most of them next time you want to treat yourself.
This post was written in collaboration. Collaborative writing means that while I have contributed to this post and edited its content and formatting, I am not its original author. By posting this content on my blog, I receive financial compensation. Want to guest post for Jihi Elephant? Learn more here.
Self-Love is so good. Not only is it essential to feel comfortable and happy in your own skin, but it’s essential to build confidence in all areas of your life. There are endless ways to practice self-love, but here are 10 of my favorite self-love practices (in no specific order, of course). This post may contain affiliate links.
Meditate
Meditation. For some people, this word or idea is intimidating or unappealing. We often think of meditating as sitting cross-legged on a yoga mat humming “OM” to yourself. If you want to meditate this way, go for it! But that is not the only way to meditate!
Meditation is essentially emptying the mind while practicing intentional awareness. This doesn’t have to be done sitting on a yoga mat. You can meditate while walking, or while eating a snack. All you should do is focus your energy and attention on something like your breathing, the taste of your snack, or the wonderful nature around you!
Maybe try taking a walk without your phone or your dog—just you and nature. Or you could mute your TV commercials and eat a cracker. While eating this cracker, eat it slowly and pay attention to all the flavors and textures. Do some deep breathing while lying in bed or in the bathtub. Mix it up and do whatever works for you!
At Home Spa Time
This is quite a popular way to practice self-love. It’s popular because it works! Set up your own personal spa with a beautiful bath, face mask, candles, and whatever else relaxes you! Learn more about creating the best bath for relaxation here!
Setting up the perfect bath and adding other little relaxers to the environment is a great way to settle down after a long day of work! And once you’re soothed, you can’t help but get an amazing night’s sleep! Which leads to number three.
Sleep
Get enough sleep! I cannot drill this enough, if you follow my posts, you already know what a huge fan of sleep I am. I encourage everyone to get the recommended eight hours of sleep as often as possible.
A sleep-deprived brain does not function normally. In fact, a sleep-deprived person functions as if they are too drunk to legally drive. Showing self-love meanings taking care of every aspect of yourself, including safety and mental functioning. Get enough sleep to avoid putting yourself at risk and to help clean up your mental functioning. Check out this post on creating a bedroom for better sleep.
Eat Well
Everyone knows, taking care of yourself generally includes eating well. Now, I’m not suggesting you never have dessert again. I sure couldn’t do that! But make sure you’re getting the nutrients and calories you need to be healthy! Avoid too many sugary foods and greasy foods and try to instead eat more fruits and nuts.
Included in healthy eating is drinking water. Water is so important for both physical and mental health. A dehydrated body is not a healthy one. Be sure to drink several 8-ounce glasses of water each day!
Eating well is such a great way to practice self-love because you are showing yourself that your health is important and that you want to feel healthy and happy!
Light Candles and Set the Mood
Set a relaxing scene to help you wind down from a stressful or busy day. Setting the mood works well with the At-Home-Spa. After coming home from a stressful day or work, light a few candles, dim the lights, diffuse lavender, or whatever else relaxes you! By setting a relaxing environment, you are setting yourself up for relaxation.
Allowing yourself this time or relaxation or relaxing environment is so good for an evening wind-down. Not only is it great to feel relaxed, it will help you sleep better and ultimately, feel healthier.
Find a Hobby You Love
Unfortunately, we can’t all love our jobs, and even if we did, a hobby is so fulfilling. When you do something you love, simply because you love it and you can, you will feel full and ready for the next challenge life throws at you.
Simply living a work to home and repeat kind of life is exhausting and you will eventually burn out. If you break up that cycle with something you love, you will be amazed at how much happier you really will be!
Now a hobby doesn’t have to be fishing or painting. You might collect something or exercise, perhaps you enjoy walking and looking at flowers regularly. It’s all perfect! Just break up the mundane with some fun! Trying exploring your interests, hobbies can be nearly anything, for example, backpacking.
Unplug
Spend some time each week or even each day to completely unplug. When I say unplug, I mean completely unplug. No TV, no internet, no social media, no Netflix, no nothing. Just you and a book or the laundry, maybe a spouse or close friend. Allowing yourself some social media detox time will feel amazing, trust me. Try it!
We are constantly bombarded with visual stimuli in the form of tweets, emails, videos, etc. It is so exhausting to never get a break from the non-stop notifications. Give yourself a break and allow a mental reboot. Put your phone away for a half hour each night!
Keep Clean and Organized
I understand, not everyone cares about keeping clean or keeping organized, but it is so good for your self-care and is a form of self-love! Living in chaos often leads to feeling chaotic. Even though some people thrive in chaos, chaos increases stress.
Decreasing stress through organization and cleaning is easy! Try starting by organizing one area of your life at a time. Start with your dining room, then, once you’ve got the hang of that move on to your car. Start small and work yourself up to the bedroom or your purse, maybe even your files.
Once you have gotten organized, your stress will decrease. How can reducing unnecessary stress be bad!? Give it a go, maybe you’ll surprise yourself!!
Practice Good Posture
Slouching promotes sluggish and lazy feelings. Have you ever tried sitting up straight for a day? Your confidence, focus, mood, and physical well-being is guaranteed to skyrocket! Granted, physical results won’t be immediate like the emotional and mental results will be.
Sitting up straight after being so used to slouching is not easy on your body. It’s not easy because you are using muscles differently and are using new muscles entirely! But go talk to your chiropractor, sitting up straight is SO good for you!
Back to emotional and mental results, as these will be almost immediate. When your body is up and alert, you can’t help but feel better and feel alert as well! Ever hear about using exercise balls at your desk instead of chairs? They not only work your abdominal muscles, but they force you to sit up straight, improving your posture, and help you feel more focused and confident.
I can’t think of a reason not to give it a shot!
Embrace You
Everything I’ve talked about so far is an activity—a regular practice. But number 10, embrace you, is so much more than that. Sure, embracing yourself is something to be practiced regularly. But it is also a frame of mind, a way of life. Embracing yourself is perhaps the most important of these self-love practices, and if you take nothing else away from this post, I hope you understand the importance of accepting yourself.
How do you embrace or accept yourself? That’s a good question that has a different answer for everyone. For some people, embracing who you are means to let go of a concern for other’s opinion of you. For others, it might mean accepting your flaws a beautiful. And for some, accepting and embracing means finding the motivation to become who you want to be instead of who is expected of you.
Acceptance is 100%, without a doubt, completely up to you. No one can do it for you, and you ought not to put it off. The sooner you love yourself unconditionally, the sooner you will feel joy from life. But it’s difficult, and only you can define it.
You’re not alone in this journey, we are all looking for self-acceptance. We are in this together. So, let’s love ourselves together!
In some ways, you could consider self-love to be the same as self-esteem. However, self-esteem tends to be more about how competent and effective we feel we are. Whereas self-love is more about acceptance and loving ourselves just the way we are.
In society today, we expend a lot of energy looking to external solutions to fix internal challenges. For example, we hit the high street with our credit card for some retail therapy to compensate for any rejection or loneliness we feel inside.
Then, on a more extreme note, we can find ourselves spending hours searching for the best personal loan companies to buy material things to “keep up with the Jones.’”
In addition to material things, we often look to another person to feel loved. As John Gray (author of Men Are From Mars Women Are From Venus) puts it, we first need to fill ourselves up with self-love, so that we are overflowing, rather than clambering onto our partner, in dependence. Like two thirsty people in an arid desert trying to squeeze love out of the other. Such a situation is a recipe for codependency. It is sure to lead to an unfulfilling retaliatory relationship where love is offered and received almost on a transactional basis.
When searching to feel loved, it is easy to end up chasing people that do not value us. It can sometimes become almost addictive. This chronic state of neediness comes from a place of low self-worth and low self-esteem. This lack of self-love is where we are not able to value ourselves enough to feel comfortable; meaning we look to others to fill us up.
The truth is that nobody can ever truly love you until you truly love you.
As trite as it may sound, the only way to feel truly happy is to have inner happiness, and that happiness or self-love will not come from getting the latest and greatest. It will come from being happy with who you are, as a person, and grateful for the life you have.
Self-love could be re-phrased as self-acceptance. When you accept yourself as you are right now, and love yourself just for being you (despite your flaws, despite your failures, and despite your past poor decisions) your life truly begins to open up. Unfortunately, it sometimes takes a mid-life crisis or traumatic divorce to break us down. A bit like Humpty Dumpty, to allow us to build ourselves back together, we need glue (aka self-love).
Louise Hay, one of the world’s leading experts in this area of self-love states:
“To me, love is a deep appreciation. When I talk about loving ourselves, I mean having a deep appreciation for who we are. We accept all the different parts of ourselves—our little peculiarities, the embarrassments, the things we may not do so well, and all the wonderful qualities, too.”
One way to learn to love yourself is to practice self-care. Some ways to practice self-care include yoga, take a bath, meditate, and Journal. Learn more ways to practice self-care here.
How do you practice self-care?
This post was written in collaboration. Collaborative writing means that while I have contributed to this post and edited its content and formatting, I am not its original author. By posting this content on my blog, I receive financial compensation. Want to write a post for Jihi Elephant? Learn more here.
It is time to take back control. This could be your finances, your home, your fitness, your career, your anything—your everything. Here is a list of tips, tricks, and bits of advice that could help you take back control in your life.
There is nothing more magical than seeing the world through a kid’s eyes. It’s that unabashed Disney outlook where everything is possible and nothing – nothing – is out of reach. You can be who you want to be, live where you want to live, think beyond the confines of everyday logic. You chase dreams so wild you go from being a ballerina in space to a friendly dinosaur that just wants to own his own coffee shop in the castle grounds.
But as we get older, this magic starts to fade and we start to realize there is no pot of gold at the bottom of the rainbow, there is no tooth fairy and that none of us has much control over our own lives.
Well, using the motivation that is the month of January, it is time to make changes relating to anything and everything you feel the need to take back control of in your life. It could be your finances, your home, your fitness, your career, your anything—your everything. So, here is a list of tips, tricks, and bits of advice that could help you slay the dragon and finally embrace that childlike wonder we all wish we had never let go of.
1. Have a Regular Sleep Schedule
Sleep until you feel fully-rested which, you may or may not want to accept, is 7-8 solid hours a night. Some of you may be looking at those numbers and telling yourself that you need at least 10 hours, but that will be feeding into your feeling fatigue. It is not just about getting seven or eight hours, though. It is about getting into a regular routine so that your body knows when it is bedtime when it is time to get up and that the full forty winks have been had. To get all sciencey, it is about allowing your brain to maintain a “healthy circadian rhythm”. Sleep the first step to having more structure and order and this translates into control. A regular sleep schedule is great for time management, read more here.
2. Scare Yourself Every So Often
Baz Luhrmann may have been a tad excessive when he said, “do one thing every day that scares you,” but he was certainly onto something. Life is a terrifying place, it is. It has to be. After all, we are mortal. But, all too often, our fears prevent us from doing the things that we may love; the things that we want to do and achieve. But fear is nothing more than a projection in your mind and very different from danger, so once you get into the habit of facing your fears, you’ll find they have no control over you anymore. That’s when you’ll find wings appear on your back and the self-imposed cage around your mind disappears, leaving you to be as free as you like.
3. Take Back Control of Your Home
We mean this in every sense possible. If you have kids and their toys have started to take over every single room in your humble space, then dedicate a day to cleaning up and create a playroom for your kids.
If you think you have some pests, then it could be time to call in the rodent control professionals. Or if your home is just cluttered, then it is time to start organizing what you have. Mess causes stress. Not only that but the more stuff we have, the more we are shackled to it. We start feeling like the clutter owns us instead of us owning it.
4. Stick to Renting
We live in a society where we feel we should own the home we live in. There are financial advantages to home owning. But there are also big advantages to renting. For example, you know exactly what monthly costs are going to be; no baseline interest rates going up, no emergency repair costs to do battle with, nothing. Owning a home simply means having 515% of your net worth tied up in a single investment. If, however, you rent, then you can diversify your investments. Basically, owning a home – or anything for that matter – means owning a fair amount of responsibilities and obligations too.
Also, when it comes to taking back control of your life, the chance to move somewhere new and change your life at a moment’s notice is something that shouldn’t be overlooked.
If you want to take back control of your life – like really take it back – then you need to stop wasting time on the rabbit hole that is social media. It is a time-vacuum. It sucks up the most valuable commodity any of us have. Instead, you should use the time you spend on social media to do something else, something worthwhile, something that is enjoyable.
Think about the last time you were scrolling mindlessly through social media. It wasn’t even fun. Don’t get us wrong, there are some amazing benefits to social media, such as chatting to friends and staying in contact with distant loved ones, but you should not be on there, for no reason. Check it once a day and then look up and live.
6. Save What You Can, When You Can
Magic can happen when you have some money tucked away. You could be treating yourself spontaneously without sleeping with regret from your spending. You could go on holiday with your friends, or buy your loved one a surprise. Having money in savings means financial stability, and that means a huge amount of stress has been lifted.
Saving is all about living beneath your means to prioritize other things in your life. It becomes less about making money and more about being able to have experienced. However, to really make this work, I recommend making your savings automatic. Take the temptation to spend and out of your hands by setting up a process where money leaves your current account and enters your savings account automatically without you even noticing. That’s the best way to be sure you are saving regularly.
7. Drop Anything You Do Not Need
We all own things we do not need and we all do things that do not add any value to our lives, so, what you ought to do is to get rid of these things. Get rid of all those objects that are taking up space and tying you down. Stop going to those activities you may have once enjoyed but no longer do. Cut ties with anyone in your life that is chock-full of negativity. Life is too short to do things that do not make you happy and there certainly isn’t space to do things that make you unhappy. Instead, focus on making room for the things that are important to you. Make time, make space, and make emotional energy for these things. You will find yourself in a much better headspace if you do.
8. Make Choices – Take that Control
There are very few things that are set in stone, physically impossible, and totally lock you down. You more often have a choice. You have the chance to say you can do something instead of thinking that you cannot. You also have the chance to say no to something, regardless of your reasoning. It is all a matter of choice and knowing what you want.
Break the cycle of automatically saying you cannot do something and you will find that you are in a way more control of your life. That is the trick though. You have to take the time to pause and think, you have to sit down and think about what your options are, what choices you have and then deciding based on those. Do not allow yourself to automatically think something is impossible; that is a surefire of losing your control over your life.
Now that you have more tools in your belt to take control of your life, pick one and implement it today!
This post was written in collaboration. This means that while I have added to this post and edited its content and formatting, I am not its original author. By posting this content on my blog, I receive financial compensation. Want to write a post for Jihi Elephant? Learn more here.
There are loads of benefits of working from home. When you work out of your home office you no longer having to commute to work and you are more able to spend quality time with your nearest and dearest. But is it really always this great? Do you want to make sure that your home office isn’t bad for your health? Then you need to use these great tips.
If you ask anyone who works from home what the negatives are of working in a home office are, then I’m sure that they might mention their health and fitness. Now that they work from home, they rarely need to leave the house so their fitness can quickly decline. But there are some other health issues that can rise up as well. Keep reading to learn some ways to combat these health concerns.
Have an Ergonomic Workstation
One of the main health complaints by those who work from home is back and neck pain. This is from sitting in front of their computer all day. If they slouch over the screen, then this pain will be even worse. One way around this is to create an ergonomic workstation. You can easily do this by buying an ergonomic desk and chair. These pieces of furniture are designed in such a way that they don’t encourage you to put excess stress on your back or neck while you are sitting working.
Read here about more ways to upgrade your home office.
Keep It Clean
If you use your home office every day, then you should keep it as clean as possible. Germs could build up on surfaces that you regularly touch, such as your keyboard and office phone. You can buy sanitizing wipes to clean this and remove any germs and bacteria. It’s also worth buying a lightweight vacuum so that you can quickly clean up any spills. If you end up treading any crumbs or spilled liquids into your carpet, they could become breeding grounds for germs!
Sometimes clutter can also attract germs and dust. Try decluttering your desk or home office.
Take Regular Breaks
Did you know that sitting for long periods of most days can lead to some pretty serious health conditions? It is thought those who have very sedate jobs are more likely to suffer from diseases such as diabetes later in their life compared to those who have active jobs. So, it is really worth planning for a ten-minute break every hour. Even if you just get up and walk around your house, you will be doing your health some good!
Ventilate It Well
Bad air in your office can cause breathing problems for those who have a weak immune system or have suffered from respiratory problems in the past. Even if you don’t have these kinds of health concerns, it is still necessary to keep your home office well-ventilated. Otherwise, the air will get quite stuffy and stale. You just need to open your window for an hour or so each day to give the room a quick refresh. Obviously, if it is cold outside then you don’t have to keep it open for too long.
As long as you stick to the tips mentioned above, you shouldn’t have to worry about your home office draining on your health. Try implementing one at a time, adding one new tip each week until you are doing them all regularly!
This post was written in collaboration. This means that while I have added to this post and edited its content and formatting, I am not its original author. By posting this content on my blog, I receive financial compensation. Want to write a post for Jihi Elephant? Learn more here.
One of my goals for 2018 was to do yoga regularly. Regularly can be defined as almost every day and consistent. I have not been doing a great job at keeping up with this. I chose yoga because I enjoy it, I can do it at home, and it is so good for physical and mental health. For these reasons, I have decided to challenge myself to 30 days of Yoga for Self-Love, and I would like you guys to join me! Yoga isn’t your thing? Try my other 30-Day Self-Care Challenge!-Care Challenge!
This post may contain affiliate links
Why Take Part in The Self-Love Challenge?
The main reason you should take part in this self-care challenge is to feel better. Everyone knows that physical activity and exercise is so good for your general well-being. SO, practicing yoga for 30 days with me is a fantastic way to show yourself some self-love. The yogi who will be leading this group is a wonderful person. She has always brought yoga to a level that works for everyone, and she promotes growth and effort. She is the perfect leader for those of us who wish to practice yoga, but are not very good and tend to fall out of every pose at least twice.
How Do I Take Part in this Self-Care Challenge?
To take part in the challenge, all you will need is access to YouTube. My absolute favorite YouTube yoga channel is Yoga with Adriene, and she puts out a new challenge every year. We will be using her videos for the challenge. Access her playlist here. Now, Adriene started her challenge January 1st, but you and I will be starting whenever we want (I recommend right away for all procrastinators out there ;).
If you want to keep track of your mental and physical progress throughout these 30 days, I recommend you get access to my resource library where you can download a 30-Days of Yoga for Self-Care printable to help you track your progress.
But I Do Not Have a Yoga Mat…
So what? Do you have a floor? PERFECT! That is all you need to join me for some self-love! However, if you are on carpet, I recommend taking your socks off, so you do not slip—I’ve made that mistake before! Adriene is excellent at recommending household items that can be used during your practice to help you.
So what are you waiting for? Do you want to practice some bomb self-love or self-care? Grab your laptop or phone and join me in 30 days of yoga for self-care!
What dreams did you have when you were younger? Some people would say they wanted to be an astronaut, and others would have said they wanted to become a superhero. Children love to dream and they love to think of unique ways to live out their lives, but reality will eventually settle in and those dreams will change to become more realistic. Unfortunately, when reality hits, many people give up on their passions assuming they could not be done—they aren’t realistic.
However, chasing your passions in at least some form is always doable. Sure, maybe you’re a little too old to become the athletic legend that you wanted to become when you were young. But becoming the coach that trains the next athletic legend is surely a satisfying compromise. Think it is too late to follow your dreams? Here are some reasons why it’s not too late.
Age is Not a Factor
Some dreams are going to be restricted by age, but if a 94-year old woman can go skydiving, then anyone could muster up the courage to chase their passions and dreams. Age is often seen as a biological factor that prevents us from doing what we love, but there are people all over the world defying this. They choose to ignore the unbelievers and chase what they want in life. After all, it is far better to be happy and live life knowing you tried, than to forever regret not giving your dreams a chance and living a life of regret.
Anyone Can Learn
If you feel like you don’t have the knowledge to follow your dreams, then stop right there. Learning has never been easier thanks to advances in modern technology. It is never too late to chase your passions and it’s never too late to see just how far you can take them. Have you always wanted to create graphics or touch-up the photographs that you take? Then sign yourself up for Adobe training exercises and resources. Want to learn how to dance or produce music? Go out there and get yourself an instrument or a dancing instructor. Do not settle for less; if you want to chase your dreams then don’t let learning be a barrier.
Yes, there are some physical and biological limitations that will prevent us from doing certain things. However, if you are willing to compromise and embrace those limitations, then you can achieve virtually anything. Do not let your age, your knowledge, or even your surroundings stop you from chasing your dreams and following your passions. Use whatever resources and support you have available to you and give yourself the means to live a life you can be happy with.
This post was written in collaboration. This means that while I have added to this post and edited its content and formatting, I am not its original author. By posting this content on my blog, I receive financial compensation. Want to write a post for Jihi Elephant? Learn more here.
Your home should be your tranquil sanctuary, your escape from the world. However, if you don’t take steps to ensure that your home is a relaxing place for you to relax and unwind in, then you won’t be able to make the most of the space.
When you look around your home, how do you feel? Do you feel relaxed and calm or do certain areas of your home make you feel anxious and stressed out? If it is the latter, then the chances are that your home is lacking some vital features, and it is time to change that.
Want to know how you can transform your home into a more relaxing and tranquil space? Read on for everything that you should know to create a home that has a more relaxed and tranquil vibe to it.
Be Choosy About Your Home’s Color Scheme
Did you know that the color scheme of a space can have an impact on how relaxing it is? That is why spas, and other relaxing places, tend to stick to a certain color palette, to help ensure that they are as relaxing and tranquil as possible. When it comes to using relaxing colors, natural tones tend to work well, as do neutral colors. Think seafoam blue, sand yellow, moss green, and stone grey, as well as cream and white shades. For a more relaxing home, stick to muted, pastels and neutrals, and avoid using bold, bright colors. For inspiration and ideas, Pinterest is an amazing tool!
Incorporate the Right Relaxing Scents
How relaxing and tranquil a place feels is often linked to scents. You see, when it comes to how relaxed we feel, our senses, particularly our sense of smell, are a vital part of the process of relaxing. That’s why incorporating certain scents into your home can have a big impact on how relaxing the space is, and how easy it is to unwind there. There are lots of ways that you can incorporate scents into your home, from using wax melters and potpourri to investing in an HVAC scent system or dotting reed diffusers through the house. Make sure that whatever scents you choose to incorporate, they are smells that you find relaxing. While lavender relaxes some people, it does not work for others – everyone has different tastes.
Lead A More Minimalist Life
When it comes to more stressful home atmospheres, often the number one cause is clutter. A cluttered home is a stressful home, which is why it is so important to take the necessary steps to lead a more minimalistic life and have a less cluttered home. Take the time to have a clear out and get rid of any junk that you no longer need, and your home should become a more relaxing space.
There you have it, all the best kept secrets about designing a more tranquil and relaxed home where you can switch off at the end of a long and stressful day.
This post was written in collaboration. This means that while I have added to this post and edited its content and formatting, I am not its original author. By posting this content on my blog, I receive financial compensation. Want to write a post for Jihi Elephant? Learn more here.
Meditation is one of those commonly misunderstood forms of self-care. This post will talk all about meditating to stay calm and to lessen anxieties during the holidays.
The holidays are a hectic time full of great times, but also full of stress and anxiety. It can sometimes be hard to stay calm and avoid these feelings. When experiencing holiday anxiety or stress it is important to find a way to combat it. There are countless ways to do so, one of the most effective forms of holiday relaxation is meditation and mindfulness.
What is Meditation?
Meditation is often thought of as a religion. While it is used by religious people and has ties to religions such as Buddhism, on its own it is not a religion. A good resource for learning more about meditation, or self-examination, is Gaiam. Gaiam states, “Meditation is an approach to training the mind, similar to the way that fitness is an approach to training the body.”
So, meditating is all about your mind. There are many ways to meditate. One way that we will focus on is mindfulness meditation.
How Meditation Will Help Calm During the Holidays
Mindfulness meditation refers to a focus on experiencing what is going on. You focus on your body and your mind and you become aware and mindful of your surroundings and how they influence your body and your mind. Learn more about how to practice mindfulness meditation here.
So how exactly will self-examination help to keep you calm during the holidays? Well, it’s like yoga (in fact, yoga is a form of meditation really), so it allows you to be aware of how you’re feeling. And the more you practice it, the more in tune with yourself you will become.
Once you can recognize the incoming holiday stress or anxiety, you will be able to then practice self-examination to counteract those negative feelings.
Meditation Using Yoga
Yoga is most definitely my favorite form of meditation. Yoga places a huge focus on breathing and being aware of what you are feeling in your mind and in your body. Finding time in your schedule to do some quick yoga is super beneficial!
One of my favorite yoga practices is done at home. YouTube has a plethora of yoga videos, but Yoga with Adriene is my go-to. I particularly enjoy her 30-days of yoga challenges.
Now that you know a little bit more about meditation, check out 30-days of yoga challenge and get a FREE printable to track your mental and emotional progress.
With the hustle and bustle of the Holiday season, it’s easy to allow yourself to become overwhelmed with everything on your to-do list and everyone who wants to spend time with you. it’s during this time that we tend to neglect ourselves the most. For that reason, I have a collection of holiday self-care practices perfect for the occasion.
Holiday Baths
A bath is one of my favorite ways to decompress around the holidays. You just cannot go wrong by relaxing in a hot tub with some bubbles and a candle. To set up the perfect bath for relaxing, head over here! Perhaps for this season, mix it up with a holiday or Christmas bath bomb or candle scent!
Create A Relaxed, Cozy Environment
Another great way to practice holiday self-care is to make sure your environment instills calm, cozy, and relaxed vibes. There are a ton of ways to do this, but ultimately, it is whatever works best for you. You might turn up the heat, dim the lights, light a candle, curl up with a blanket, or make some hot cocoa. You can read more about getting that cozy Christmas feeling here.
Have Somewhere to Escape to
If you’re over-worked, stressed, or introverted, one of the best ways to practice holiday self-care is to ensure that you have somewhere you can escape from the hustle and bustle of people and the never-ending to-do list. Take some time each day or even week away from everything stressing you out and be by yourself. Your escape can be anywhere and you can do anything when you are there. For me, I escape to my bedroom each night where I curl up in my blankets and watch some of my favorite YouTube channels. This is my holiday self-care escape. Where do you like to escape to during stress?
Brief Yoga or Meditation
Perhaps yoga is not for you, but meditation and yoga are great ways to take your mind off holiday stress and decompress. When you find yourself feeling tense, stressed, or overwhelmed, take a minute to be in the present. Take a walk or do some yoga and just be. Head over here to read more about using meditation during the holidays.
Say No
One of the biggest and most important on this short list of holiday self-care practices is practicing saying no. During this time of year everyone is doing so many things and it can be so incredibly overwhelming. Being able to turn down requests is probably the most effective way to de-stress and take care of yourself this holiday season. If you take nothing else from this post, please practice saying no and be aware of your limits. If you have taken on too much, do not take on any more, and ask for help! There is no shame in turning your projects or tasks into group endeavors.
This is a very brief list of holiday self-care practices, I’d like to know how you manage your holiday stress and take care of yourself. Let me know if the comments below!
This post is a sponsored post. This means that I received compensation for writing it.
Let’s be honest with ourselves, who doesn’t love that cozy Christmas feeling?? It’s the best to get cozy on your couch or in your home, especially when the weather starts to get cold! Everyone has their own tricks to feeling cozy, everyone is different. But this post will give you a rundown of how to get that cozy Christmas feeling, from wearing a well-accessorized sweater to lighting a candle!!
Believe it or not getting that cozy feeling is easier than you’d think! It’s really only two easy steps: set the scene then look the part. Read all the way through to the end and receive an exclusive coupon for Jord Wood Watches, the sponsor of this festive post!
Setting the Scene
Setting the scene is exactly how it sounds—you need to make your home or apartment cozy before you can get cozy. This could be as easy as turning the heat on instead of the air conditioning. Or you could have more fun with it!
My favorite way to get that cozy Christmas feeling is to decorate. This is also the most complicated and potentially expensive way to feel cozy. You can get creative and go the DIY route or you can buy Christmas decorations. I personally do a combo of the two. Try decorating a small Christmas tree, hang fairy lights, hang ornaments from the ceiling, put up a wreath, you name it! Here are some Christmas decorating DIY ideas:
Another way to make your environment feel cozy for Christmas is to light candles! I absolutely love candles, especially Christmas-scented candles. Some Christmas scents I suggest are spruce tree, Christmas cookies, apple or spiced apple, pumpkin pie, fresh snow scents, cranberries, thyme, etc.! Just go wherever it is you buy your candles and ask to see their Christmas or holiday line!
Looking the Part
The final step to getting all cozied-up for Christmas is to look the part. So, get out your favorite sweaters, comfortable pants, slippers, fuzzy socks and check out the mini LookBook below for some inspiration and cozy ideas as well as an awesome holiday discount!!
The ideal Cozy outfit consists of a comfortable sweater, comfortable pants, either fuzzy sock or slippers, and beautiful accessories. These accessories are important because it is easy to feel lazy instead of comfy without them. A great cozy outfit needs simple and elegant accessories to remain cozy instead of lazy or slumpy.
Pictured above is the gorgeous Cassia series watch in Zebra and Ivory by Jord Wood Watches. I absolutely LOVE this watch!! It is beautiful and comfortable to wear, which makes it perfect for my cozy Christmas wardrobe. What’s even cooler about their watches is that I have a holiday coupon for you!! Get 25% off a Jord Wood Watch by clicking the link below! This link will take you to a sign in form, fill that out and the coupon will be emailed to you and voila, 25% off! Act quickly because the coupon expires December 19, 2017!
Creating a relaxing bathroom design is essential if you enjoy unwinding in the tub after a long day at work. The last thing you want is a bathing space that is not fit for relaxation. This post will provide a few hints and tips for the most relaxing bathroom.
Improved Bathroom Lighting
Most people find the lights in their bathroom to be too bright when they sit down to relax in the tub. The same is often true in bedrooms as well. So, that just means you have to think outside of the box when it comes to planning your bathroom lighting. You have a light fitting inside or outside the bathroom that controls the electricity to that socket. Why not swap the switch for a dimmer? You can even purchase smart dimmers that you manage using your phone. That means you can adjust the level of illumination without getting out of the tub. Of course, you should always choose items that use LED bulbs rather than the traditional alternative because they last longer, and they don’t use as much energy.
Alternative ways to get dim bathroom lighting are the use of candles or fairy lights.
Bathroom Heating
Nothing is worse than sitting in a hot bath when the room is cold. The parts of your body under the water will feel fine, but you’ll still be tensed and cold. With that in mind, be sure to think long and hard about the heating system in your bathroom. Two solutions tend to work well across the board. However, one of them is far more expensive than the other.
Firstly, you might consider investing in a heated towel rail that you can fit on the wall in your bathing space according to the guys from http://www.warmup.ca. This option is cheap and won’t break the bank. If you have a larger budget, you might consider opting for underfloor heating. Just contact appropriate companies to obtain some quotes.
Another few ways to keep your bathroom warm for those of you who rent or live with roommates or your parents is to use a space heater or turn the heat up entirely. Space heaters are fairly cheap and you can turn them off and store them easily between baths. Another easy option is to simply cranky the heat in your home while you bathe. Last, the use of candles might be enough to warm the room for your bath while simultaneously providing a calming environment.
Call The Bathroom Experts
Once you finish making your plans, it’s time to get in touch with a reputable bathroom specialist. Of course, this is not necessary if you choose to heat via space heater, but if not, do not make the mistake of trying to perform the job without assistance or professional knowledge. Doing so might mean harm to your person, flooding, or electric issues.
Renovation professionals from http://mayfieldrenovations.com/ and other sites say that you should always ask to see a portfolio before spending your money. That is because some experts are better than others, and you don’t want to waste your money on someone who isn’t going to achieve your dream. If you struggle to find a suitable firm, simply ask family members and trusted sources for recommendations, read online reviews, or post a question on social media or online forums.
If you manage to follow the tips and tricks from this article, you should have a relaxing bathroom in no time. When all’s said and done, nothing is wrong with thinking outside of the box and trying something unique. So, make sure you put a lot of effort into the planning stage and leave no stone unturned!
What are some tricks you use to make your bathroom the optimal space for a relaxing bath?
This post was written in collaboration. This means that while I have added to this post and edited its content and formatting, I am not it’s original author. By posting this content on my blog, I receive financial compensation.
Since my move to North Carolina, I have been seeing a counselor on a monthly basis. Counseling is super valuable and I have learned a lot from it, including a lot about myself. One practice that I have taken from counseling is to track my anxiety. In my second session with my new counselor, she suggested that we track my anxiety feelings in a journal or on my phone—of course, I chose to write in a journal? Here are some benefits of creating your own journal.
Anxiety Journaling
What is anxiety journaling you might ask? Well, it’s a notebook, journal, notes app, etc. where you keep track of your anxious feelings. This can be done a million different ways. For me, as I said, I write in a cute little elephant journal. However, maybe your you, its easier to keep track on your phone. That’s entirely up to you!
I can imagine dozens of ways to track the anxiety, and it’s really up to you and perhaps your therapist. I personally take note of what the feeling is about, what my thoughts are while experiencing the anxiety, the severity of it (mild, moderate, high or severe), and the date and general time of day I experienced it.
Knowledge, Awareness, and Personal Growth
One of the greatest benefits I’ve seen since I started my journal is increased knowledge. Before I had tracked my anxiety, I knew that it happened and I maybe had an idea of what generally triggered it, but I really didn’t know anything about my patterns. Since tracking I have learned that I feel a lot of my anxiety in the morning. It is also generally triggered by driving and an ability to plan for or control something, especially in advance. There were some anxiety-provoking situations that don’t follow those trends of course, but that’s okay.
Not only am I tracking my feelings of anxiety, but I am learning more about myself and becoming aware of who I am and how my anxiety influences me. Naturally, when you gain knowledge and become more aware of something, you are able to grow. I am still in the knowledge collection and awareness stage but I am beginning to see myself grow. I am more able to tell you who I am regardless of the anxiety instead of defining myself by it. What I what and who I am is becoming more clear and I become more open to myself.
Overwhelmed?
I know how it may seem, overwhelming right? You already have anxiety, why do you need to worry about paying attention to it! I experience this on the occasion but mostly I have to make the choice not to worry about it. When I feel anxiety, it's not uncommon for me to not think much of it and go about my day. That’s okay, I’m used to those feelings occurring regularly and it will take a long time to build the habit of thinking about it and writing it down. It’s okay to forget sometimes.
It’s also okay if it’s not perfect. Sometimes you can’t really figure out why you are experiencing those feelings. That’s okay, write that down. Acknowledge the unknown feelings and over time you’ll become more knowledgeable and aware of its causes. This is a process and you won’t be able to do it perfectly, no one could. Just do your best.
So, with all this being said, what do you have to lose by trying an anxiety journal? Let me know how it goes for you!
Everyone gets lonely, especially when you are in a new town far away from those you know and love. It’s hard, very hard. And sometimes it’s even emotionally draining. Here are some tips to help you manage loneliness when living by yourself far away from home, family, and friends.
Go Out Often (AKA Don’t Pout at Home)
This is the one that I struggle with most. I am an introvert, a hardcore introvert, and I prefer to be at home. Sometimes when I get offers to go out, I turn them down because I had plans to relax on my couch and do nothing by myself. But other times, when I say yes despite every bone in my body wanting to turn it down, I have an amazing time and I no longer feel so lonely. If you’re an introvert like me, going out and spending time with people is really hard and you have to be intentional. But, it is so very worth it in the battle against loneliness.
Be Friendly When in Public
I think this is something people take for granted in general. When we are out and about running errands we get tunnel vision and forget about all those other people around us. I have found that this mentality only feeds loneliness. When you don’t allow yourself to see and interact with those people, you forget they are there and you feed your loneliness. However, if you see these people and provide a passing smile or acknowledgment, you are more likely to walk home a little less lonely. Maybe you can even try to spark up a conversation with the person checking you out at the grocery store.
The other day, I was dropping off a return package at the post office. The post office always seems to be one of the least friendly places on my list of errands. The people seem to want you out as quick as possible. And I accept that and make a point to tell them to have a nice day. This makes me feel better, but it’s not very helpful because the people don’t care. However, this day I was dropping off my package and there was a massive line.
As I stood in the line I observed the workers, one of which was striking up a conversation and being kind to everyone. When it was my turn, he was the worker who checked my package and immediately he sparked a conversation with me about old cartoons because he noticed I was wearing an antique Mickey Mouse t-shirt. He doesn’t know this, but I went home a little less lonely that day. Moral of the story, when you acknowledge the existence of those around you, even in passing, you feel less lonely and you could be helping them battle their own loneliness.
If you struggle with going out and being social like I do, making friends is even harder. And that is why I highly recommend befriending those you are around naturally. For me, making friends by going out and being social with strangers is discouraging, because I just don’t really do it, nor do I really understand how to do it. Because of this, I have learned to instead create my social life around coworkers and peers. Sure, this narrows my hunting grounds, but it also forces me to be nice to and aware of those around me. By befriending those around you, you are battling the lonely in a way that is more natural and easy. Sure, I encourage you to go out and find friends in other ways. But, this is a great way to start, and chances are, you have something in common with your co-workers, I mean, you chose to work or go to school at the same place, right?
Be Safe
Now, this tip won’t intrinsically help you with loneliness, but it will be useful. When we get lonely, sometimes we accept offers from strangers despite our better judgment because we are trying to make friends and build relationships. This is not a good idea. Do not go out at night alone, do not have strangers over, and do not go over to strangers homes. These tips are common sense, sure. But when loneliness becomes overwhelming, sometimes these ideas don’t seem to back. Be safe.
Keep Busy, But Not Distracted
Sitting at home watching Netflix is the worst idea I’ve ever had since living alone. Doing this just leads to me feeling even lonelier. If you throw Netflix on in the background and clean the apartment, cook dinner, play a game, write a paper, or really anything productive, it’ll affect you far less.
