I hope you've been enjoying a break away from work and a chance to focus on the important things in life.
Sometimes
it’s the little things in life that really make us happy. Not the big dramatic gestures or expensive possessions but simple pleasures in life that don't have to cost a lot or are free.
5 ways to treat yourself:
Make time to look after yourself before you can
look after or focus your time and energy on others.
- Relaxing with your favourite drink and watching a box set or indulging yourself in a book.
- Your favourite song or a piece of music - it can lift you up, inspire, relax, and motivate you or move you to tears.
- Laugh out loud -
listen or watch your favourite comedian or comedy show.
- Do something creative - draw, doodle, paint, sew.
- Go to bed early and read a book, especially if you’re often collapsing into bed just before midnight after a busy day.
5 ways to enjoy the natural world:
Reconnecting with nature sooths the mind, body and soul. It's easy to disconnect when you spend all your time indoors or infront of a screen.
- A walk in the sunshine or fresh air, making the most of the daylight hours, even at this time of year.
- Smell the flowers. Even in the winter many have a heavenly scent - winter jasmine, mahonia, hyacinth.
- Spot constellations or watch for shooting stars on a clear night.
- Listen to the birds in your garden or a local park.
- Look out for signs of nature in the most unlikely of places. How many different species or varieties can you find?
5 ways to pay it forward:
As well as benefiting others less fortunate than ourselves, doing something for someone else, without expecting anything in return
improves your mental health and builds your self-esteem.
- Give a smile or a compliment to brighten someone’s day. You never know what someone else is going through. A kind work can make all the difference.
- Drop your spare change in the nearest charity box. Every little helps and you won't miss the pennies.
- Pick up a little extra on your next grocery shop and drop it in the food bank or charity collection. Even more important to those less fortunate than ourselves.
- Donate something you no longer need or use to charity.
- Fund a micro loan to a small business in a different country.
What are the simple things in life you enjoy? The things that bring you pleasure and reconnect you with what's important.
