1. Begin with a clean start
Your morning routine plays such a vital role in how your day will pan out. Instead of sprinting out the door, start off on the right foot beginning with your morning shower. The hit of water will help you snap out of your sleepy haze while lathering yourself in the calming aroma of lavender will relax your senses and ensure you’re ready to tackle the day ahead. NIVEA’s Shower Clay in Fresh Agave and Lavender smells crisp and fresh and is a fresh and uplifting combo that will purify and gently exfoliate your skin. Take the time to massage your shower clay over your entire body before rinsing for silky, smooth skin.
2. Don’t skip breakfast
Breakfast’s benefits go far beyond filling you up – research has found that eating a healthy meal first thing is associated with a reduction in stress. Taking the time to eat mindfully – i.e. putting the phone away, focusing on the food, and chewing slowly – can also have major benefits on your frame of mind and your overall health. Calm and clarity are just an acai bowl away.
3. Meditate in your lunch hour
Meditation isn’t just an opportunity to quiet your mind, that ‘me’ time you’re stealing away for yourself can do wonders for soothing stress. A mere 10 minutes a day (if that’s all you can manage) can help you on your way to finding inner peace. If possible, schedule a meditation session into your lunch hour; it will get you away from your desk and help you feel refreshed and ready to combat 3.30-itis.
4. Hit the gym after work
If meditation isn’t your thing, sweat it out in the gym instead. We all know how good exercise is for releasing endorphins – stress can’t compete with that serotonin high. In the short term, a good workout session can boost your mood; and long-term, it will build up your resilience to stress. It’s a win, win.
5. Catch up with a friend
It’s easy to put your social life on hold when work commitments start piling up. But do yourself a favour and don’t cancel on that vino with a friend, because even a quick 20-minute catch-up can clear your mind, improve your mood and send stress packing. There's plenty of evidence that social connection is imperative to mental health and a 2011 study found that spending time with your besties can reduce stress.
6.Try a digital detox
Thanks to our phones we’re constantly switched on, but your mind needs a break, especially at the end of the day. What’s more, the blue light that’s emitted by smartphones can impede our body’s melatonin production, which is what regulates our circadian sleep phase and helps us get a good night’s sleep. At least an hour before bed, switch off your phone.
