7 ways you can show your body a little love this month.
February, the month of love, but are you forgetting the most important person you should show some affection to? You! Sometimes it's hard to find the time to really focus on yourself and your own needs, but with the days starting to lengthen a little and some green shoots appearing it's time to make some space for yourself in your daily routine. Here's 7 ways you can show your body a little love this month from a health and wellbeing perspective.
1. Get 7-9 hours of zzzz a night. We often think we are adding more value to our work, our lives by putting in extra hours, working late, starting early. And whilst this may be the case in the short term. In the long term this is going to lead to possible burn out, negative health conditions and pure exhaustion. Did you know that the later part of your sleep is where your REM cycles increase, this helps your memory and creativity.
2. Eat lots of plants and colour. And stay hydrated. Fuel your body in a way that it will be nourished. You can find some further information about this below.
3. Dry Body Brush. Something I used to do religiously, and certainly will be this month again. Body Brushing is a great way to stimulate the nervous system and to detoxify the skin. The best time to dry brush is before a shower (avoid really hot showers which will dry out your skin). Avoid dry brushing broken inflamed skin.
4. Finish your morning shower with cold water. This is excellent for your circulation as well as increasing your resting metabolic rate, supporting good immune function and reducing inflammation to name a few! In the winter months, you can start warm and then finish with a minute of ice-cold water. It is strangely refreshing and a great way to start the day!
5. Walk in Nature. Getting outside in some green spaces. Take the time to stop and just listen to the noises around you, maybe the trees in the breeze, or the sounds of the birds. In your busy lives we often don’t take time to stop and just be. Getting outside into nature has huge benefits to your health and immune system as well as mental wellness.
6. Move. This does not mean start running, but do walk, even 10 minutes a day. Dance around the house with children, or when cleaning or whilst waiting for the kettle to boil for your cup of tea or coffee.
7. Stop. Make time this month to read and deep breath. A couple of books I have loved reading recently is Stephen Covey’s book The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People and Ancient Remedies by Dr Josh Axe and The Diary of a CEO by Steven Bartlett. And a favourite podcast is one by Craig Groeschel - The Leadership Podcast.
