Healthy self-care; be inspired!

Suggestions for healthy self-care, be inspired!

Simply, being in the right mindset is essential to navigate any major disruption and the stress that this inevitably causes.  In order to manage and overcome stress, reduce anxiety, be optimistic and to thrive can be brought about by making a few easy choices:
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• increasing your sleep
• improving your diet
• meditation, and
• reducing alcohol intake.​​

Suggestions for healthy self-care:

• Early morning light stimulates the pineal gland, helping to set your circadian rhythm, good for energy, clarity and sleep. Go outside in the morning and get some sunlight on your face - as little as two minutes is beneficial.
• Be MINDFUL of your surroundings: Get into nature - notice the freshness of the air, the changing colours and light of the season, go barefoot on the grass.
• Daily meditation and breathing exercises (some favourite apps: Insight Timer, Calm, Smiling Minds)
• Do daily exercise: a home workout routine, riding, walking, yoga, dancing, walk the dog, stretch and strengthen; then soak in a bath with Epsom salts and essential oils.
• Limit exposure to IT and non-essential media: limit the social media vortex and the overwhelm of endless "news", your nervous system and stress response will thank-you for it.
• Maintain your healthcare treatments and take natural medicines and supplements to support immune and nervous system function, and gut health.
• Connect with family and friends: be present and in the moment.
• Prepare healthy meals, eat regularly and choose well; limit sugar, refined carbohydrates, caffeine and alcohol.
• Laugh and have fun:  make each other laugh and share funny things you've seen or heard.
• Stay hydrated:  drink lots of water and herbal teas (ginger, lemongrass, echinacea, olive leaf, cinnamon, peppermint, nettle, dandelion)
• Slow down, make time for things you love to do.  Allow yourself to do it, this time is unique.
• Get to bed early:  try to keep a good sleep hygiene routine - no screens for at least an hour before bed, no electronic devices in the bedroom, total darkness, cool room temperature, good air flow.  Adults should aim for 8 hours sleep, more if needed.