It seems the world is a little more angry, anxious, and stressful. Because of this, self-care is now marketed like a hobby. It’s a little sad, but also good, because no matter the state of the world, it always pays to pay a little attention to our mental health. It has become so key, self-care has become a vast $450 billion market, spanning several. categories. Here are some easy self-care activities you can do anywhere.
Self-care can mean a million different things. As long as it makes you feel good and it’s a relatively healthy behavior, then it’s probably self-care. That extends to working out, staying in touch with your family and friends, and making time to tend to your needs, even when you don’t feel like it. But what many of us need most are quick self-care activities that we can do at a moment’s notice, when we find ourselves stressed out about traffic or that person who made us angry earlier that day.
A breathing exercise
Photo by Le Minh Phuong via Unsplash
If you’ve ever Googled how to destress or take care of yourself, you’ve stumbled upon breathing exercises. It feels repetitive to say it again, but it’s very true, so it must be highlighted. Breathing exercises are the most efficient way of centering you to the present, helping you get rid of the stress you’re experiencing right now. It’s also something that anyone can do, putting a timer in their phones if they want to be extra diligent, and sticking to a breathing pattern for a couple of minutes.
Going for walks can help you take some distance from whatever problem you’re having, whether it’s an argument or simply feeling stuck at work. A walk can help you put things into perspective, get your mind off of the problem, and change settings. It’s a good approach for facing a variety of problems.
Stretching
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Going for a run or to the gym can, at times, feel too cumbersome, which is why a short stretch can help you feel active, burn a few calories, and feel good about your body. A stretch session can also help you obtain a more active lifestyle, providing plenty of occasions for relaxation and deep breaths, which, as we’ve said, are always good.
If you need something positive really fast, listening to positive music or music you love can help you get there. If you’re the type of person who enjoys making lists, something fun and helpful you could try to make an emergency self-care playlist, something filled with music you love that will put you in a good mood quickly.
Reading some pages of a book
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Reading demands some attention, asking yourself to separate from whatever problem you’re facing in order to know what’s going on in the story. While it can take you a few tries, the more you do it, the easier it’ll become to let go of something that’s stressing you. A good idea is to get a book of short stories and to read them when you have the time, using it as something calming and rewarding for your day.
Learning new skills requires motivation and persistence. While some people thrive in school-like settings, others do not. An in today’s
Despite the fact that we’ve been very exposed to all sorts of screens and online activities throughout the past months, at this point in the pandemic, it’s natural to feel the urge to do something new, something that feels productive and nourishing. Luckily, there’s tons of websites out there designed to cater to people’s different set of needs and interests.
COVID introduced people to their kitchen and inspired people to expand cooking skills. But generally, everyone can still use a little help in terms of learning cooking skills and in finding some new recipes to keep our lives a little less boring. This website has a bunch of delicious recipes on hand that are simple and that will teach you to be a better home cook. There’s also videos, which are a great tool for visual learners.
Sporcle is a trivia website, one of the most comprehensive in the world, containing quizzes for basically anything that’s of interest to you. While you won’t learn through the use of Sporcle alone, the site is a fun and engaging way of supporting whatever it is you’re studying, no matter how specific.
Edx provides access to thousands of online courses and degrees belonging to renowned schools and colleges like MIT, Harvard, Berkeley and more. While the courses are paid for, they’re much cheaper than the ones you’d find in other websites and institutions.
Khan Academy is also another popular website for students and teachers alike. All content on their site is free and it also allows you to customize your experience as you go, whether you’re teaching your kid or are looking to learn a new skill.
Code Academy is one of the cheapest tools people can use when trying to learn how to code. You can have access to some basics for free but can pay $20 a month and gain access to a full roster of lessons. There’s different courses and programs that allow you to learn specifics and not get overwhelmed by too much information, whether you’re trying to get better at web design or are looking to learn the basics of computer programming.
At the very least, you will have a better understand what it takes to code.
Have a great time expanding your skills and your mind!
It’s the beginning of a new week and you’re still reeling from the weekend. Maybe you have a hangover, maybe its fond memories of sleeping in and watching Netflix in bed for two days straight that has you a little fuzzy first thing on a Monday morning. Either way, you are likely not equipped to shift into “work mode” as soon as you log into your computer. You’re not a robot.
“Monday morning meetings tend to start my week off on the wrong foot,” one New York native, 27, told Moneyish, adding that it slows down his workflow and is ineffective, saying he’d much rather use the time to catch up on emails and unfinished projects. Plus, he says, “it is impossible to productively contribute to any conversation [that early].”
If the feeling of dread creeps up on you on Sunday night, you’re not alone. According to Moneyish, studies have shown that as many as 81 percent of workers get the “Sunday Scaries” — a severe anxiety that bleeds into the beginning of their work week. And according to data, one in three employees is likely not to show up to a meeting that’s scheduled for early Monday morning.
Experts say it’s much more productive for everyone to delay meetings until later in the day, when people’s brains are a little less foggy.
“When the weekend rolls around we really need it, and we may not be ready to jump back into Monday,” Deb Lee, a digital productivity coach, tells Moneyish. “Heavier, and more intense meetings should be saved for later in the day, or even on Tuesday when you’ve gotten into the swing of things and feel settled.”
Moneyish points to a study from 2017 that found the highest percentage of tasks are completed on Monday (20.4%), compared to on Friday, when only 16.7% of work assignments are done.
But it’s important to specify that people complete the most tasks at around 11 a.m., just before lunch time, suggesting that the 9 a.m. Monday meeting your boss has planned won’t be the most effective, the study also found.
If you have an understanding boss, Lee suggests asking your boss if they’d be okay with moving the meeting.
“You can say to this person, ‘how would you feel about doing a lunch instead?’ or ‘Would you mind if we met later, there are some projects I’d like to work on earlier in the day.’
“I wouldn’t approach it with, ‘I’m not a morning person and I don’t want to do it.’ It’s more like, ‘here’s my schedule, and here are some things I’m working on. Now you’re telling your boss that you’re invested in your work and in your schedule.”
Nothing says fall then a drive though the country and visiting shops, seeing pumpkin patches and maybe even visiting a distillery. With hundreds of bourbon and whiskey distilleries now operating in the United States, there’s a good chance you’ll have the opportunity to visit at least one of them.
According to the Kentucky Distillers Association 95 per cent of all bourbon whiskey is produced in Kentucky, The important to remember though, is that all 50 U.S. states have at least one whiskey distillery.
A visit can be fun, informative and tasty, so here are so tips to make the most of a distillery visit.
Photo by Flickr user Raphaël Chekroun
Do your research and make a plan. Before you head out, check out what distilleries are in the area, when they’re open, and what kinds of experiences they offer. Some distilleries in major tourist centers are open seven days per week, while rural farm distilleries might only be open for business on the weekends. Distilleries’ websites are a good place to start, but social media accounts might have more up-to-date information about special events or offers.These days, most distilleries can serve at least tiny samples of their products, but all states are different. If you’re in the mood for a martini, you might be disappointed by local laws that prohibit distilleries from serving cocktails. Food, too, can be hit-or-miss, so check out restaurants on your route or see if any of your visits might have a food truck parked outside.
Dress for success. If you’re doing a behind-the-scenes or “hardhat” tour, skip the stillettos or flip flops. Distilleries are factories, complete with slick or sticky surfaces, loud noises, and grated elevated walkways that look like the set from a John Claude Van Damme film. Closed-toed shoes and comfy clothes are a good idea.
Tackle transportation. Spirits samples add up fast. If you’re in a city, plan to take public transit, Lyft, or Uber. If you’re in the countryside, pick a designated driver or hire a car for the day—it’s way more fun than stressing out over your samples or abstaining from that single barrel super pour at the end of your tasting.
Be on time, especially if you’ve made an appointment. Distillers are busy, and tasting room staff are often scheduled around existing appointments. Respect their time and stick to your schedule—or, if you know your plans are going to be fluid, choose distilleries with open tasting room hours and just pop in.
Introduce yourself. All kinds of people come through the doors of that tasting room, from teetotaler neighbors who are just curious about what’s going on inside, to international whiskey collectors. If you already know a lot about the distillery and you’re a big fan of its products, tell them so! Distillers love to meet their fans—and, if you’re lucky, slip them special samples. If this is your very first time tasting rye whiskey, tell them that, too. Knowing customers’ experience level can help tasting room staff tailor their conversation to you.
Ask questions. There is no question too silly, too basic, or too nerdy to ask on a distillery tour. Usually, tour guides know an amazing amount about their products. And, if you do manage to land a stumper, well, there’s something satisfying about that, too.
If you like something, buy something, especially if it’s a smaller operation. Sometimes—although not always—distilleries make a better profit margin on the bottles they sell from the tasting room than those you buy at retail through a distributor.
Tip your tasting room staff. If you tip servers who spend five minutes taking your order, delivering your food, and clearing your plates, you can tip the guide who just spent an hour taking you on a tour and then served you a flight of mini-cocktails.
Get social. If you had a wonderful time, post pictures of your visit on social media. Distillers love seeing their business through their customers’ eyes, and it’s a great way to say thanks by encouraging your friends and family to visit.
Hangovers are the worst. Drinking plenty of water won’t undo overindulgence, but it’s still the best way to stave off the crud the next day.