Baby Steps To Looking And Feeling Happier and Healthier

Hands up if your life can feel a little bit unbalanced? I’ve had a run of bad luck lately with sickness and feeling generally a little bit rubbish, which has taken its toll on my skin, my hair and my sleeping patterns – so I’m figuring out a way to get back on track. 

Here’s what’s been working for me - and if you have suggestions of your own, I’d love to hear them. 

Switching Off 

Working full-time and running the blog at evenings and weekends is fun and rewarding, but my brain needs time to disengage - and that means putting away the phone. 

Instead of catching up with social media or blog comments on my morning commute, I’ve taken the time back to catch up on my reading – and I’ve banished the phone/tablet/laptop from my bedtime routine.  

Exercise 

Gah, the dreaded word. I’m definitely not a natural but trial and error has proved there are some activities I really quite enjoy – like zumba, swimming and hill walking.  Oddly enough though, these have a habit of falling way down my priority list and that’s something I’m working hard to change. 

Planning my activities for the week and putting them in the diary is one thing; sticking to them in the face of a more exciting offer is the part that needs some work.  

Me-time

I kinda hate the phrase but I totally love the practice and I’ve become better at making some time for myself, whether that’s an evening bath, a lunchtime swim or a solo weekend ramble. 

Beauty treatments also play their part: anyone who reads this site will know I love a facial or massage, but the benefits go way beyond beauty.  That deep sense of relaxation and well-being can’t be beaten; I firmly believe a little pampering does a lot of good for the soul. 

From the inside out 

Food and nutrition are obviously essential to looking and feeling healthy and strong and I’m making some changes here, too. Fewer carbs, more water and less alcohol has helped, as has using the My Fitness Pal app to track what I eat, and make some simple changes. 

Having the odd gin with slimline instead of beer or wine and cutting down on bread and caffeine has helped me feel less bloated and more balanced, and had an impact on my skin as well. 

And to kickstart the weightloss process, I’ve started taking XLS-Medical Direct - a plant-fibre based complex that helps people feel fuller for longer, and is gentle on the system. It comes in sachets of berry-flavoured powder that can be taken without water, and binds to fat before replenishing the body withvitamins A, D and E. I got the chance to trial it after I ran a giveaway last year, and the time felt right – it’s early days yet, but it's definitely helping with the crisp cravings.  

Counting Blessings

I'm naturally quite a positive and appreciative person but I've been counting my blessings in a much more active way - every night before I go to sleep I think of the things I'm grateful for that day. #100happydays on Instagram has also helped to keep me focused on the positive. 

I’ll keep you posted on how I’m getting on – and if you have any tips to share, please leave them in the comments! 

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