In today’s world, self-care and improvement have never been closer to center-stage. We’re more aware of our physical and mental health than we’ve ever been, and people are typically encouraged to make more time to rest and recuperate outside of our working lives.
30 to 40% of men and women actively take time to practice self-care, although our definitions of what self-care actually is can dramatically differ from person to person. For instance, in a study by Birchbox, 74% of respondents felt that self-care could be defined reasonably as looking after your body, whether that be through exercise or upkeep like massage and yoga. Alternatively, 57% felt self-care was more centered on the mental aspects of our health.
Avoiding screens, mindfulness and meditation have all become popular pursuits and booming industries on the back of this new movement. However, the definition of self-care can go beyond simply working on your physical fitness and finding more inner peace.
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Money Matters
The mindfulness approach to money has taken off massively in recent years. Open Banking applications have allowed third parties to build smarter services and platforms that prioritize users over the institutions holding their money. Challenger banks and the digital era of money management have also made customer-centric budgeting and financing application apps exceedingly popular among customers.
In addition to that, the ability to compare prices and switch providers means saving yourself money is easier than ever before, with energy suppliers and mortgage brokers like Bulb and Trussle offering simple ways to negotiate mortgages, remortgage, or change energy suppliers and immediately save your household potentially hundreds of pounds. As online services with easy-to-use navigation and attentive customer service at the click of the button, the process is simple as well as customer-friendly.
The reality is that bills are a part of life we can’t avoid, and taking a proactive approach to managing them, and keeping them down, can have a very positive effect on your mental health and financial situation.
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The Morning Routine
The first few hours of our days can be crucial. Forming clear routines in your morning can mean making a little time to eat, relax and wake up properly. A Kellogg survey found only 34% of people would regularly eat breakfast. Equally, making time to focus your mind, be it with some light reading or a short walk can also be helpful. A morning routine isn’t the strenuous undertaking of a gym workout, nor is it about trying to empty your mind as you might to meditate. It’s structuring, which mentally sets you up to have a productive day in whatever endeavors you’re set to pursue.
Nutrition, Nutrition, Nutrition
A final tip is to scrutinize your diet. What you put into your body will impact everything from your energy levels to the way you sleep. Most people don’t need to reinvent the wheel in what they eat, and allowing yourself occasional treats is important, too. There has to be some reward to offset dedication to healthy eating.
However, researching the nutrients you need to benefit or encourage certain behaviors or physical states can mean simply adding one or two new ingredients into your weekly shop. Equally, supplements are readily available and can help you achieve the same.
As you can see, tidying up your life can mean a few different things, from organizing, refreshing, and taking more control of the many diffuse aspects of your life. ‘Life Admin’, as it’s sometimes known, isn’t necessarily a fun activity as you’re doing it, however, there are clear benefits after the fact from better understanding your finances, to recalibrating your life goals or career path.
Unlike tasks at work that might carry deadlines, life admin often won’t have the same clear countdowns, which makes procrastinating on it far easier. With a little effort, you can build a more holistic and satisfying lifestyle for yourself that allows you more time to put into the aspects of self-care that you’re passionate about.
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