Of the best
Denim, £29.99, Topshop
Tan, £30, Miss Selfridge
Green linen, £35, Monsoon
Pink, £32, River Island
Floral, £9.99, H&M
Light denim, £19.99, Bershka
Lilac, £25.99, Zara
Beige, £34.95, Gap
Palm print, £15, Marks & Spencer
Blue, £15, Simply Be
Paying attention to what you need to be happy and healthy – selfcare – is a habit that’s easy to forget.
But as we navigate the new normal now lockdown is easing, it has never been more important.
This isn’t the summer any of us planned, but that’s no reason it can’t be a time that helps you relax, unwind and appreciate the little things.
Just take your pick from these simple mood-boosters, natural beauty choices and home-made treats to give yourself some vital ‘me-time’.
GO GREEN
Research has shown spending mindful time surrounded by trees and greenery improves mood and boosts the immune system.
The Japanese call this practice ‘forest bathing’, and high-profile fans include Gwyneth Paltrow and Kate Middleton.
Find tips at The National Trust (nationaltrust.org.uk) and bring the outdoors indoors by investing in some house plants. Indoor plants absorb toxins in the air and increase humidity, which are both beneficial for health.
If you’re not green-fingered, try Mother-in-law’s Tongue – a plant that’s renowned for being impossible to kill.
ACCEPT YOURSELF
Being comfortable with who you are is the cornerstone of self-care. Pledge to stop running yourself down in your own mind, and out loud to others, and you will see your confidence soar.
Think about what makes you different, and embrace your uniqueness rather than trying to hide it or be ashamed.
The world would be a boring place if everyone was the same.
Bird-watching connects you to nature, and observing them makes you pause and slow down, reducing blood pressure. If you have children, make a chart so they can mark off which birds they see outside.
Or use the free Merlin Bird ID app to identify different species and their songs.
Studies have also shown spending time with dogs increases happiness and makes people feel less lonely. If you don’t have a pooch, sign up to Borrow My Doggy (borrowmydoggy.com) and enjoy someone else’s pet without the full-time commitment.
“The good news is you don’t have to start happy to become happy,” explains
Lois Blyth, author of A Year of Living Happily. “The moment you begin to smile, laugh and relax your shoulders, two things happen – the body releases feelgood endorphins that boost wellbeing and people around you will behave more positively.”
Boost your five-a-day by making allnatural lollies. Put a handful of raspberries, two raspberry tea bags and a dash of honey in a bowl and add 350ml of boiling water. Leave for 10 minutes, then remove the tea bags, stir and cool. Pour the liquid into six ice lolly moulds and freeze for four hours minimum.
And why not ditch fizzy drinks for a refreshing home-made beverage? A typical canned drink has nearly 10 teaspoons of sugar. Try a healthy glass of fresh water with sliced fruit or mint instead.
“Showing kindness is good for others and your own wellbeing,” says Dr David Hamilton, author of The Little Book of Kindness. “When you do it your body releases the hormone oxytocin, often called the kindness hormone. It reduces levels of heart-damaging free radicals in the bloodstream and gives you a natural high.”
Every day, listen to a favourite song. The right playlist can change your mood and make a boring job like housework or cleaning the car more fun.
You may not be travelling abroad this summer, but you can still enjoy the relaxing sounds of sea. The free app Ocean Waves – Relaxing Sound is perfect when you’re taking five minutes to close your eyes.
Write a “nourish list” of things you enjoy but never seem to find the time to do. Tick one off each day. It could be indulging in a bath or doing a YouTube fitness class. If you have children, “swap” time with your partner so they can enjoy their own self-care choices.
Dissolve a few cups of Epsom salts in a warm bath before having a relaxing and detoxing soak. Next, make your own purifying face mask by mixing 3 tbsp oats with ¼ tbsp apple cider vinegar in a bowl and combining into a paste. Add ½ tbsp brown sugar and ¼ tbsp lemon juice and stir until the mix is even.
Apply to skin and leave to work for 10 minutes. Then rub gently in circular movements to exfoliate and increase blood flow. Rinse off with warm water and pat face dry.
Most of us tend to remember criticism rather than praise, so start a quote collection where you jot down nice things said about your character, work, parenting and anything else. Date each quote in your journal and have a read when you need a mental boost.
Build a stone cairn – a zen pile of stones of decreasing size – in your garden or on the beach. This calming activity has been shown to reduce heart rate and adrenaline levels.
A good game with children is to create a wishing tree. Write wishes on small pieces of card attached to colourful ribbons, and tie them to branches of a tree or plant.
ANIMAL MAGIC
AND SMILE...
TASTY TREATS
BE KIND
LISTEN UP
Watching birds helps connect you to nature and reduces blood pressure
NOURISH LIST
SPA AT HOME
SAY WHAT?
GARDEN GAMES
The average adult spends the equivalent of a day a week online.. So have a detox day and ditch devices (and eye strain) to connect with friends, nature and yourself. See itstimetologoff.com.
ONLINE DETOX
Yoga is renowned for building strength and flexibility, and easing stress and back pain. Find free classes on YouTube. Listen to your body and don’t strain.
SUPER STRETCH
SLEEP ON IT
Good sleep is essential for a healthy immune system. It strengthens body defences and boosts mental health. If you’re struggling to sleep, try the National Sleep Foundation (sleepfoundation.org).