Lockdown may mean you have some more free time! Or perhaps you're one of our amazing NHS, key workers or carers! Either way, it's time to look after YOU!

It is high time you put YOURSELF first.

It’s okay to want to feel better. It’s okay to take care of yourself before anyone else. Because that way, you have the best version of you to give ... 

Here’s how you can get started. 

1. Incorporate some morning exercise into your routine. While catching a few extra minutes of sleep sounds amazing, when you realise how good it feels to exercise in the morning, you’ll quickly switch your habits. This is how you can start your day the right way. Take care of your body and mind the first thing in the morning - go for a stroll (within the allowed limits at the time!). You WILL notice a difference. It feels amazing. 30 minutes will be quite enough, and if you can’t spare that go for a 15-minute jog.  
   
   
2. Set the mood. Self-care means setting up the space you are in so that you feel good. So that it motivates you to take a deep breath, relax and unwind. Candles are great. Diffusers and essential oils are also an added bonus.
   
   Maybe even some fresh flowers where possible? I've picked up some amazing flowers in the supermarket over the last few weeks of lockdown! At bargain prices! Makes me sad to think they'll go to waste.
   
   Decorate your space so that it instigates feelings of peace, comfort and coziness. It’s really the little things that have a huge impact on our everyday mood. This doesn’t require a lot of time really. Once it’s done, all you have to do is light the candles, or turn on the diffuser. Which is all less than one minute!
   
   
3. More fruits and veggies. And if you’re not feeling very motivated to change your entire diet, you don’t have to. Set aside 10 minutes out of your day to grab all your fruits and veggies and make THE BEST smoothie of a lifetime. Pour it into your favourite glass and enjoy while all those nutritious goodies feed your body. 
   
   
4. Set a skincare ritual. Missing your beauty therapist? No need to get sad! Set up your beauty routine so that you feel like you’re in a spa. Align your favourite products. Make sure you take the time to massage everything in. It may be just 5 minutes in the morning, but while you are doing it, make sure you’re not interrupted and you’re solely focused on your skincare. 
   
   
5. Put on some music and enjoy it. Dancing at home isn’t prohibited either. Not only is this a form of a workout, it’s also SO relaxing. Music alone can have an amazing impact on your mental health, but combined with dancing is a win combination. We can’t put a time limit on dancing now can we?
   
   
6. Use your free time, to be free. For once in your life...Don’t do anything. Take 30 minutes out of your day to relax and NOT think of your plans, work, cooking, washing up. Just let go and don’t do anything. Our minds rarely get a chance to just LET GO. So help yourself. And practice this. It will get better with time. 

When we add this all up, it’s really just an hour out of your entire day. Not much to feel good!

You might not be able to do this every day…. Don’t beat yourself up. BUT. Keep working on yourself and on taking care of yourself.

You might do one thing, or three things that take the least amount of time.

Whatever it is, make sure you are taking those necessary steps to progress and make it a routine. 

Sending all our love, Tracey and all at HighBorn xx