Make some healthy habits

Make some healthy habits!

It’s that time of year again where we all try and forget the festive over-indulgence and set some New Year’s resolutions … that last all of 5 minutes!  Don’t worry, we’ve all been
there and the fact that January is dark and gloomy doesn’t help with motivation.  We’ve
done some digging and there are a few tried and tested ways to set those healthy habits
and routines in motion and keep them ticking over.

How to plan your new habits

The most important thing to remember is to not overdo it – the more things you try and change at once, the less likely it is to make all or any of them stick.  Cutting out sugar, becoming vegan and promising to do a 5k run a day sounds great, but could end up making you feel rundown and fed up!  The best approach is to decide on one area of change and really focus on that first and then when you’ve tackled that, move onto something else.  Slow and steady wins the race here.

There are some useful tools to help you plan and stick to your new habit.  With 100s of apps, self-help books and YouTube tutorials to discover, it’s worth putting together a ‘kit’ of reference so you can refer to it when you’re struggling.  It’s also worth journaling to keep track of your progress, investing in a smart watch to keep you on track or even making a spreadsheet so you can plan your time in advance.

How to stick to your habits

To get started on your new goals, here’s a handy checklist with pointers and advice for deciding your best approach

• Plan things like meals and work-outs in advance so you’re less likely to reach for unhealthy snacks or slip back into skipping exercise. Set a target for each day that you can check off.
• Tell people what you’re doing – this can really help you focus and help you commit to your goals, and it feels good to have a cheer-leader behind you!
• Always decide why you’re doing something new – write a list of the ways that it’ll improve your life and check back in with it when you’re feeling less motivated.
• Reward yourself when you reach a goal – whether it’s a bubble bath, a box-set binge, or a slice of chocolate cake, it’s ok to give yourself breathing space and a little treat.
• Do something that makes you feel empowered and happy, design your new habit around something that brings you joy so you’re less likely to get bored or give up.
• Small steps make big victories – you do what feels right for you. Even something as simple as taking a 20 minute walk each day can bring so many benefits.
• Think about fund-raising – committing to an activity to raise money for your favourite charity can give you a boost and you can share your progress with others.

It’s not all about fitness!

When we think of setting new goals, it’s normally based around exercise or healthy eating, but there are so many ways we can do little things to help us feel good.  One great habit we can switch up is how we approach our beauty routine – it’s so easy to get stuck in a rut with the same products but investing the time to really understand your skin and making a new ritual can feel calming, restorative and give you an excuse to take some time out every day just for you.

First up, do your research – it can be a minefield looking online for skincare advice with 1000s of influencers, tutorials and experts fighting for your attention.  Always check and double check with a reputable dermatology site or even pop to your local library to find reference about your particular skin-type.  It could be helpful to find an influencer with the same skin type as yours and use them as your role-model, rather than following 100s of influencers with conflicting advice and product suggestions.

The next step is simplification – throw away any of your products that have expired as this is so important, and make sure that you’re not doubling up on products you don’t need.  Most good beauty routines only need one moisturiser, one cleanser, one toner and an SPF.  By stripping your routine back, it means you can invest in products that really work for you.   Start small, take note of how your skin is looking and then you can add anything else if needed.

A skincare routine should only take a maximum of ten minutes per day – this is a good measure to tell if you’re overloading with masks, exfoliators, and serums.  Clogged pores and dry skin can happen when you overdo it so it’s best to do pampering treats once a week maximum.

Lastly, don’t believe the hype!  The beauty market is flooded with the ‘latest’ new wonder-buy that’s going to transform your routine forever.  While many products are worth the investment, always take time to read reviews and work out if they’re right for you.  There’s no one-size fits all, so taking the time to get the very best products that optimise your routine is well worth the effort.

Our top healthy habit picks

We’ve pulled out some of our favourite game-changers that could help you get started, but the rest is up to you – you can do this, Happy 2022!

 

1. Not only does the Apple Watch Series 7 look fantastic but it also has the largest, most advanced Always-on Retina display that makes everything you do with your watch bigger and better. Series 7 is the most durable Apple Watch ever built, with an even more crack-resistant front crystal. Advanced features let you measure your blood oxygen level,¹ take an ECG anytime,² and access mindfulness and sleep tracking apps. You can also track dozens of workouts, including new tai chi and Pilates.
2. The NutriBullet 1200 edition features one-touch Smart Technology that will help get you on the path to a healthier lifestyle. This addition to the NutriBullet family adds even more extraction power, more convenience, and more functionality to the original NutriBullet you know and love.  Ultimate power means ultimate extraction – completely blend silky smooth, sippable nutrition quickly and easily. Comes with tasty recipe ideas to get you started.
3. If you have always wanted to skip the gym membership and workout at home but lack space, then this compact bike is the hero you have been waiting for! The Davina X Bike is designed with real life in mind and folds in seconds to store behind the sofa or even under the bed! The bike is simple and sleek, designed to sit on and cycle straight away without any complex computer settings. A huge seat (unlike most) stops you hopping off the bike in discomfort and adjusts in height to align you perfectly, so there’s no excuses to stop pedaling!