THE TO-DO THAT LOOKS AFTER YOU

My daily to-do list is getting out of hand. It’s beginning to resemble the dinner bill I expect to be presented with when my lack of self control is once again unleashed on the restaurant scene – long, ambitious and debilitating.

Do you, too, feel like your penchant for prioritising has taken a hit in the current chaos? Words like ‘URGENT’ and ‘MUST DO TODAY’ scribbled in erratic handwriting all over loose (not to mention allusive) scraps of lined paper? 

Well, if you’re anything like me, this mounting admin mayhem can make it tough wind down. So, when you get a free moment – rather than scrolling or streaming – tick a task off this handy little list of destressing tips instead. Your health (and frankly anyone who spends any time around you) will thank you for it. What are you waiting for?

Apply some hand cream

Give yourself a little hand massage and then, to make it a true mini moment of self-care, take a few deep breaths and inhale the aromatherapeutic scents to help enhance your mood.

Give yourself a compliment

Take time to speak kindly and say at least one nice thing to yourself each and every day. A boost in your self-esteem will do wonders to influence a positive mindset. 

Enjoy a stretch

Take two minutes every so often throughout the day to move your body and have a desk detox. No matter how tired you are, you'll be amazed by how good it feels.

Exfoliate your body

Use a mitt and dislodge any dead skin cells, before rinsing in the shower for the ultimate refresh that will leave skin feeling smooth and soft.

Sip a warm drink

Ask any Brit if they can think of a time when the words “I’ll put the kettle on” haven’t somehow made things that tiny bit better. There’s little more comforting than a warm mug of something tasty heating up your hands in the cold. 

To amplify the feelgood effects, get some extra stretches in while you wait for the kettle to boil.

Stop and take some deep breaths

Take a few minutes as often as you'd like to press pause and just breathe. It's great to help reset and refocus the mind.

Tidy space, tidy mind

Have a quick tidy up of your working area. Too much clutter can distract your brain, so keeping things minimal and calm is key.